Cooling Flower Tea (Chrysanthemums)

by | May 17, 2010 | Vegetarian | 0 comments

Soup Name: Cooling Flower Tea (Chrysanthemums)

Traditional Chinese Name: 金銀菊花降暑茶 (Jīnyín júhuā jiàng shǔ chá)

Introduction:
An extremely cooling drink that is ideal in the hot summer, for cooling the body, clearing heatiness and detoxifying the body.  It is usually served cold (with ice or cooled in the fridge) and with rock sugar (or syrup sugar).  This is a very common Chinese drink and can be purchased either pre-bottled or on the street.  You can also find these ingredients prepackaged for homemade usage.

What Ingredients are required?

6-7 pieces of dried Chinese licorice
50g of dried Japanese Honeysuckle
50g of dried chrysanthemum flower
rock sugar (to taste)
2-3 L of water

How do I prepare it?

  1. Boil water
  2. Rinse ingredients in warm water briefly (except rock sugar)
  3. When water boils, add all ingredients together
  4. Boil for an hour on medium heat
  5. Strain ingredients from liquid
  6. Add rock sugar and let dissolve
  7. Cool in fridge or with ice (optional)
  8. Serve and enjoy!

Any benefits?

  • Excellent soup for relieving heatiness
  • Helps relieve symptoms of sunstroke and heatstroke
  • Excellent detoxifying drink for the body

Any precautions?

  • People with sensitive stomachs (otherwise known as cold stomachs) should avoid overly cooling herbs
  • Pregnant woman in their first trimester take caution as cooling ingredients can cause contractions
  • After consumption, you may notice frequent urination (this is normal) as your body is also detoxifying

Chrysanthemum Drink

by | Feb 21, 2010 | Vegetarian | 0 comments

Soup Name:  Chrysanthemum Drink or Chrysanthemum Tea Drink

Traditional Chinese Name:菊花茶 (jú huā chá) or 菊花水 (jú huā shuǐ)
 
Introduction:
Chrysanthemum is a classic Chinese flower that is used in teas, drinks and desserts.  It’s easy to make yourself and is a can be a refreshing coolant in the hot summer days or drink hot as a tea with or without sugar.  It’s got a very distinct taste and is highly fragrant.

What Ingredients are required?

4-5 tablespoons of dried Chrysanthemum
1 piece of rock sugar (add amount as desired)
5 cups of water

How do I prepare it?

  1. Rinse Chrysanthemum in warm water
  2. Add to cold water and boil
  3. When boiling add rock sugar
  4. Boil for 30 minutes
  5. Can add ice or cool to be served as a cold drink!

Any benefits?

  • Helps reduce heatiness and is a cooling drink
  • Can help reduce acne (cool the skin and body)
  • Aids in digestion and is often taken with meals
  • Also said to be be helpful in curing blood pressure, coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, heart colic and arteriosclerosis

Any precautions?

  • Not be consumed by women who are pregnant – especially in first trimester as it’s a cooling food

 

Chrysanthemum (Dried)

by | Feb 16, 2010 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Ingredient Name:  Chrysanthemums, Mums, Chrysanths

Traditional Chinese Name: 菊花 (jú huā)

What is this?

  • A perennial flower plant that has many variations (different colours such as white, pinks, yellows) in various shapes and sizes
  • First cultivated in China for herbal properties
  • Used in teas, drinks, desserts and various other Chinese dishes
  • Often purchased dried for consumption
  • Has a very distinct taste and scent

How do I prepare it?

  • Rinse in warm water but don’t soak as this will start bringing out the flavours of the flower
  • Add immediately to boiling water or hot water for teas

Where can I buy this?

  • This is available in most Asian supermarkets as prepackages
  • Also available in Chinese herbals stores
  • You can purchase Chrysanthemum tea bags in Western Supermarkets

What is the cost

  • 1 medium-sized bag cost $6 HKD
  • Extremely affordable

Any benefits?

  • Said to be a cooling food
  • Can help reduce acne (cool the skin and body)
  • Aids in digestion and is often taken with meals
  • Also said to be be helpful in curing blood pressure, coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, heart colic and arteriosclerosis

Any precautions?

  • Not be consumed by women who are pregnant – especially in first trimester as it’s a cooling food

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