This is less of a recipe and more of a PSA about some of the health benefits of Chinese chrysanthemum tea. I’m no expert or technically qualified to give health advice, but I was once a very very grumpy chrysanthemum tea drinker and have since become a pretty strong and zen believer in its abilities to ward off various ailments!
Chrysanthemum Tea Benefits
Chrysanthemum tea is said to have a host of health benefits, and it has definitely become my go-to when I’m feeling under the weather. It may help you reduce inflammation, serve as a good source of vitamins A and C, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
In particular, inflammation is a huge culprit of a lot of the standard ailments I deal with in my day-to-day––ranging from minor annoyance to full-on conditions that take me out of the game for a few days.
In Chinese medicine, inflammation is associated with being “too hot” or having too much “heat” in terms of your body’s overall physical balance. This can manifest in a multitude of ways, from dry mouth to skin breakouts.
Fried foods (Fried wontons, anyone?), grilled foods (Yang Rou Chuan–who can resist!) and spicy foods (mmm…Spicy Beef Noodle Soup) are said to cause this internal “overheating” effect in Chinese medicine, and I’ve found that chrysanthemum tea is a great agent for rebalancing the body.
In China, chrysanthemum tea is commonly accepted as a great health drink for its cooling and calming effect, to the point that people from all walks of life can be found chugging it by the thermos-full throughout the day. You’ll see big thermoses on young white collar workers’ desks, in the cupholder of your taxi driver’s car, and toted around by old grandmas in the street.
A Mom’s Advice for Chrysanthemum Tea Drinking
I could go into even more depth about the medical aspects of Chinese chrysanthemum tea and what it can do for you, but Chinese tradition dictates that some sort of matriarch from on high just boss you around, offering cryptic home remedies (looking at my mother, right now).
No reason to break from tradition, so. My mom says you should drink chrysanthemum tea if you…
- are feeling stressed out or experiencing anxiety
- have a headache or migraine
- want aid digestion after a heavy meal
- are breaking out with acne or a rash
- have a cold sore or canker sore, or feel one coming on (ick, I know)
- have high blood pressure and/or cholesterol
- are trying to lose weight or boost your metabolism
While chrysanthemum tea has worked wonders for me, my mom always warns me against drinking too much of it, as *apparently* otherwise my inner Qi will become too cool. I know all the Chinese moms out there mean well, but it’s literally always hot-cold, hot-cold with this stuff, amiright?
What Does Chrysanthemum Tea Taste Like?
In terms of the taste? Well. When people see me drinking chrysanthemum tea and ask me what what it tastes like, suffice it to say that it tastes just how you think it would taste: like dried flowers.
Adding a bit of sugar or honey can improve the taste if you prefer! But I find the flavor to be incredibly pleasant when eating strongly flavored Chinese dishes with lots of spice, and it takes on a richer herbal flavor the longer it steeps.
It can also have a more subtle flavor the more times you refill the teapot with hot water. Serve it with ice in the summer, and it will have you feeling cool and calm in no time.
Plus, with so many different kinds of chrysanthemum teas, feel free to experiment! In this post, we’re showcasing a more standard variety and a very small variety that uses tiny flower buds. Try to look for closed or half opened flower buds when purchasing your tea, as fully opened flowers (while pretty) have already lost much of the flavors and effectiveness!
We hope you give chrysanthemum tea a try! It may just be nature’s elixir for whatever problem you’ve currently got.
To make chrysanthemum tea, you’ll need:
Place your tea in a teabag or tea strainer of your choice. Due to the nature of this tea, the petals can really get in the way of your drinking experience, so best to tie up the tea in a tea bag or cheesecloth, grab a tea strainer, or use a teapot with a built-in strainer.
Boil 3 cups of water, and pour over the tea. Let steep for 3 – 5 minutes.
You can continue to add water to the tea for 2-3 more batches of tea. The chrysanthemums have a strong and persistent flavor. Many people can use a single serving of chrysanthemums for the whole day!
Enjoy a nice pot of chrysanthemum tea today!
Chrysanthemum Tea Benefits (and How to Make It)
Ingredients
- 0.2 ounces dried chrysanthemum tea (about 5g)
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Place your tea in a teabag or tea strainer of your choice. Due to the nature of this tea, the petals can really get in the way of your drinking experience, so best to tie up the tea in a tea bag or cheesecloth, grab a tea strainer, or use a teapot with a built-in strainer.
- Boil 3 cups water and pour over the tea. Let steep for 3 - 5 minutes. You can continue to add water to the tea for 2-3 more batches of tea. The chrysanthemums have a strong and persistent flavor. Many people can use a single serving of chrysanthemums for the whole day!
nutrition facts
is there a difference in taste between loose flowers like in your recipe and chrysanthemum tea bags? also where did you guys get the classy glass teapot and teacups? they’re so cute!
Hi Emily, I think taste depends more on the variety/source/quality of the chrysanthemum tea rather than whether they’re loose or in bags. I do think generally that loose tea is a fresher product than bagged tea!
We got the teapot on Amazon, actually––there are a bunch of sets available: https://amzn.to/2OGdTTP
where do you buy your tea?
We usually bring them back from China, or buy from local asian markets. Just know that you can find Chrysanthemum tea online. I’m pretty sure amazon has it.
Thanking you in advance for this is my first attempt to prepare this tea. I wanted to know and understand how would my family use the tea.
You’re very welcome! :)
This is my favorite flower tea. If you are going to sweeten it, I recommend getting rock sugar (the small square kind if you can find it). It does a better job sweetening it and kind of “melts” into the tea without overpowering the flavor. I’ve used regular granulated sugar and honey and I personally think you lose the flavor of the chrysanthemum.
Hi Meghan, that’s a great tip! I bet simple syrup or agave would work well too :)
Thank you for this recipe! I was wondering if you may consider adding in more recipes on Chinese medicinal/herbal teas/soups? I’ve wanted to get more into making them at home (vs buying super sugary ones in grocery stores). Having grown up around family who always seem to have some sort of good tea/soup boiling, living far away from them now I feel I now have no clue how to get started (especially the ones good for “hot air”!). Thanks for your consideration!
Hi Jasmine, I have already posted some traditional cantonese soups and drinks, try looking for them on our search bar :-)
I love your writing style. This article was fun & inspirational. I’ll totally try chrysanthemum tea!
Thank you, Lambi! Hope you like it! :)
Very nice blog! Nice writing style, tastefully done photos! My hats off to you and your family for sharing your traditions and the “birth” of your blog history.
I love to read recipes of easy, natural and traditional customs. Unfortunately, I’m not one to tolerate spicy foods. If I may ask, when possible and without sacrificing flavor, can you include in the recipe what to omit and substitute for people like myself. ??
Thank you so much for your kind words, Marisol! We usually do mention when there are ingredients that are optional. As for hot chilies, you can reduce or omit to suit your taste :-)
excelente comentarios, inicie a tomarlo por referencia pero no sabia nada de el he conocido un poco mas por tus comentarios que han sido muy buenos para mi, gracias
saludos,
Hi Julio, this is a great tea to have regularly if you live in hot and humid climates.
Where can I buy good organic chrysanthemum tea at a reasonable price?
Hi Mary, have a look here: https://www.harney.com/products/golden-chrysanthemum?variant=35000275398
Hei
Where did you by this glass tea pot :)
Have a lovely day!
Lena
On amazon, search for “glass teapot set.” You will see several choices :-)