Traditional Chinese Hawthorn and Red Date Tea Recipe

Traditional Chinese Hawthorn and Red Date Tea Recipe (Serves 2–3)

Ingredients

• 15–20 g dried hawthorn berries (山楂, Shan Zha)
• 3–4 Chinese red dates (红枣, jujube), pitted
• 1 small piece aged tangerine peel (陈皮, Chen Pi), about 2–3 g
• 15–25 g rock sugar (adjust to taste)
• 800–1000 ml water

Instructions

1. Rinse ingredients
Lightly rinse the dried hawthorn berries, red dates, and tangerine peel under running water to remove dust.

2. Prepare the red dates
Slice the red dates in half and remove the pits. This helps release more flavor.

3. Simmer the tea

• Add hawthorn, red dates, and tangerine peel into a pot with 800–1000 ml of water.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes.

4. Add sweetness
Add rock sugar and continue simmering for another 5 minutes, until dissolved.

5. Strain and serve
Turn off heat. Strain into cups or serve as-is. Enjoy warm, or let it cool slightly for a refreshing drink.

Effects/Benefits

Dried Hawthorn Berry (山楂, Shan Zha): Supports digestion of fatty foods, promotes blood circulation, and may help reduce food stagnation. (Bensky & Gamble, Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica; Pharmacopoeia of the PRC)

Chinese Red Dates (红枣, Jujube): Tonifies spleen and stomach qi, nourishes blood, and helps calm the mind. (Bensky & Gamble; Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas & Strategies)

Aged Tangerine Peel (陈皮, Chen Pi): Regulates qi, improves digestion, dries dampness, and helps relieve bloating and phlegm. (Bensky & Gamble; Pharmacopoeia of the PRC)

Rock Sugar (冰糖): Moistens the lungs, soothes the throat, and harmonizes the harshness of herbs. (Traditional Chinese dietary therapy texts; Chinese Materia Dietetics)