This maybe the easiest recipe that I have ever posted, but it is too good not to be shared with you. I grew up drinking this tea. My mom always made it for my sister and I during hot summer days. When we came home from school, it was really nice to have a cup of cold sweet tea.
Chrysanthemum tea is made with dried Chrysanthemum flowers, water and sugar. It is sweet with an amazing floral scent. Light and refreshing. It is a very common and popular tea within Chinese. It is said that the tea aids in the recovery from cold and flu. It is also a cooling herb which can reduce the body temperature, which is perfect for summer time. I don’t know if Chrysanthemum tea really have any medical benefits, but it sure is a nice tea to enjoy.
One interesting side story: When I first saw the word “Chrysanthemum”, I just didn’t know how to pronounce it. Bryan repeated the word again and again, but I still couldn’t remember it. Out of nowhere, I came to realize the word “Chrysanthemum” sounds a lot like “Chris and his mom”. When you say “Chris and his mom” really fast, it would sound like “Chrysanthemum”. Ever since then, I can pronounce this word perfectly. 🙂
Last but not least, I will be taking a break and traveling, so I won’t be blogging for 3 weeks. Please check back on the week of February 9th. Meanwhile, follow me (@missinglokness) on Instagram for the latest photo updates. Stay tune!
Chrysanthemum Tea
2 large serving cups
Ingredients:
– 4 cups water
– 2 ounces rock sugar
– 20 – 25 pieces dried chrysanthemum
Directions:
- In a small pot over high heat, bring the water to boil. Add the rock sugar and cook until the sugar has melted, stirring occasionally. Add the dried flowers. Cover with a lid and turn off the heat.
- If you would like to drink the tea right away, serve immediately after 5-minute of steeping.
- For storage, let the tea steep for 30 minutes. Remove the flowers. Let the tea cool to room temperature. Transfer to a container and keep in fridge. It can be stored for 2 days.
- You can either drink it cold or you can reheat in the microwave for a hot drink.
Tips:
- Rock sugar can be found in most Asian supermarkets, like 99 Ranch Market. If you can’t find it, you can use regular sugar, but probably not 2 ounces. Taste and adjust to your liking.
- I bought my dried chrysanthemum from a Taiwanese tea store, Tea Station in San Gabriel, Los Angeles. You should be able to find them in online or some local tea stores.
Kelly says
January 21, 2014 at 9:45 amI love chrysanthemum tea! It was my favorite tea while I was growing up too, you reminded me that I haven’t had any in a while 🙂 Happy Chinese New Year and hope you have a wonderful trip in HK and can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back!
Lokness says
January 21, 2014 at 4:14 pmYea? Me too! It is a good time for some hot sweet tea. Happy Chinese New Year to you and your family too! 🙂
Jayne @ Tenacious Tinkering says
January 21, 2014 at 6:55 pmI wrote about this during the horrible haze in Malaysia last year. You’ve reminded me that I have a pack of chrysanthemum flowers still on my counter top. Must do something with it soon! What do you say about some chrysanthemum tea jelly?
PS: Have a great, well-deserved break! 🙂
Lokness says
January 22, 2014 at 2:31 pmOh yea, I remember it now. Chrysanthemum tea jelly sounds awesome. What a brilliant idea!
Atika says
January 22, 2014 at 11:46 pmI’m more into jasmine and rose tea but This sound very calming and refreshing, I would love to try this. Happy Chinese New Year 🙂
Lokness says
February 11, 2014 at 1:32 pmThank you, Atika! This is a very nice sweet tea. I hope you will like it!
lisa lawless (@lisaiscooking) says
January 24, 2014 at 7:48 amI love all sorts of teas, but I’ve never made Chrysanthemum tea from the dried flowers. I need to go shopping for them!
Lokness says
February 11, 2014 at 1:38 pmChrysanthemum tea is my all time favorite. Hope you can get your hands on them. Enjoy!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
January 27, 2014 at 10:56 amI love Chrysanthemum tea and we often choose it when we go to dim sum. I am not sure where we can get it but assume somewhere in Asian supermarket (where I have never paid attention to…). I gotta check it out. I do have rock sugar already (used for Chinese cooking before). Can’t wait to make it at home! Thank you for sharing.
And now I remember you were going to Japan in January. I hope you’re having a great time! There are so many places to go within Tokyo! Have a safe trip. 🙂
Lokness says
February 11, 2014 at 1:53 pmI thought you have to pay extra for ordering chrysanthemum tea in dim sum places. I have to try doing that now. But yea, you should be able to find dried chrysanthemum very easy.
Haha…. good memory! Yes, we went to Tokyo for a few days, then stayed in Hong Kong for a week or so. It was a fantastic trip. Thanks for all the tips. I will post some pictures later.