A soothing and nourishing Chinese jujube tea that is very easy to put together and will warm your soul. The Chinese red dates are simmered to release the delicious juice, lightly sweetened with brown sugar and enhanced with ginger. {Gluten-Free, Vegan}
Since last year I have been reducing my caffeine intake. I switched my coffee to decaf and most of my tea is decaffeinated or herbal. The change has greatly improved my sleep quality and now I have a good energy level without needing multiple cups of coffee and the jittery feeling that comes with it.
Chinese jujube tea is one of my favorite drinks and I can’t wait to share it with you. It is very easy to prepare and it uses several very nutritious ingredients to create a comforting drink that is delicious and not too sweet.
Ingredients for Chinese jujube tea
The main ingredient in the tea is dried jujubes, and I added plenty of ginger to give it a slightly spicy taste. The goji berries bring some extra health benefits, but you can also make the tea without them. I lightly sweetened the tea with brown sugar at the end, but you can add as much as you want (or serve the tea without any added sugar).
Dried Jujubes (Chinese red dates)
Jujubes, or 红枣 (Hong Zao) in Chinese, are also called Chinese red dates. They are a very common ingredient in Chinese cooking to add nutritional value. There are many types of jujubes. The small ones can be smaller than 1” (2cm) and have a very thin skin. The large ones can reach 2” (5cm) and are quite meaty. The fresh fruit has an apple-like texture and is quite crisp. It is often preserved by drying, after which it can be used in soups, congees, and desserts.
Jujubes are widely used in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). They are high in antioxidants and loaded with vitamins and minerals. They can help with digestion and be used for anti-inflammatory purposes. And they help with sleep and improve immunity.
You can find jujubes at most Asian markets or shop for them on Amazon and Umamicart.
Goji Berries
Goji berries, or 枸杞子, are also called wolfberries. They’re another superfood that is packed with antioxidants and powerful medicinal properties. Many Chinese soups, appetizers and stews use them to add a pop of color along with their nutritional value.
These days, you can find goji berries in most organic markets like Whole Foods, but you can get a better deal on them at Asian markets. You can also shop for them online.
How to make jujube tea
Prepare the jujubes
To prepare the jujubes, you should:
- Briefly soak them in water. This helps to rinse off the dust from the surface and make it easier to cut them.
- Cut the jujubes in half.
- Remove the seeds using a paring knife.
In Chinese medicine, the jujube seed is considered to have a cooling effect, so it is usually removed when making the jujube tea.
Boil the jujube tea
To make the jujube tea:
- Combine all the ingredients in a small pot of water.
- Boil for 10 minutes.
- The tea should become a pale amber color when it’s ready.
- Strain the tea before serving.
Jujube tea is invigorating and delicious. My mom would always make it when I had a cold. It is especially good for women during cycles to soothe cramps. And I enjoy it as a great afternoon tea during the winter. If you’re hosting a Chinese dinner party, serve this tea at the end of the meal as a healthy dessert drink.
More Chinese drink recipes
- How to make soy milk
- Easy Citron Tea (Made with Meyer Lemons)
- How to Make Bubble Tea (Boba Tea, 珍珠奶茶)
- Mom’s Best Honey Lemon Tea
- Hawthorn Berry Juice
Chinese Jujube Tea (红枣茶)
Ingredients
- 60 g (6 big) jujubes
- 5 g (1 tablespoon) goji berries
- 1 thumb ginger , sliced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or to taste)
Instructions
- Place the jujubes in a large bowl and water to cover. Soak for 10 minutes. Then gently rub the jujube surface to remove any dust. Drain and discard the water. Halve the jujubes using a paring knife, then remove the cores.
- Rinse the goji berries with water. Gently rub to remove any dirt from the surface.
- Add the jujubes, goji berries and ginger to a small pot. Add 4 cups of water. Cook over medium-high heat until boiling. Turn to medium-low heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Once done, strain the tea using a small strainer. Press the jujubes to release as much liquid as possible.
- Add the brown sugar and stir to mix well. Taste the tea and add more sugar if needed. Serve hot.
Taking jujube tea has the following benefits:
1. To invigorate the spleen and stomach, suitable for people with weak spleen and stomach, thin body, fatigue, lack of food and loose stools.
2. Invigorate qi and nourish blood. Drinking jujube tea regularly can not only make people look rosy, but also help people recover their vitality and improve immunity.
3. Nourishes blood and soothes the nerves. Many women are prone to upset, sad and crying, and restless sleep. They can drink jujube tea together with wheat and licorice to help nourish the blood and soothe the nerves. （https://www.tdchinges.com/）
Thank you for sharing the information 🙂
I have not made this yet but intend to collect the ingredients today. Would this be a good tea to drink before bed or is it too invigorating?
This tea is very calming and not overly sweet, so it is OK to drink before bed.
Hihi, actually red dates is a heaty ingredients according to TCM and remove their pits before steeping them in hot water will lower their heatiness. Hope can help ya. 🙂
What if I have small jujube dates? How many do I use then?
You can weight them and use 60 grams (about 2 oz). Or use about 1/2 cup.