Amomum and Osmanthus Tea

Why people make this tea

Nourilo once saw a few osmanthus trees in full bloom in the park — white flowers rather than gold, likely the silver kind, with a heavier fragrance. It reminded him of the candied osmanthus from the dried-goods shop, made from golden osmanthus, sweet and aromatic. He used to love osmanthus cakes and dumplings, but eats less sweet food now; brewing osmanthus as a tea is still lovely. Osmanthus traditionally supports the spleen, resolves phlegm, settles the liver and lifts the appetite and spirits. Paired with fragrant amomum, this tea is traditionally good for stomach pain that comes when stress affects the stomach.

Method

1. Put both ingredients into a teapot and rinse once with boiling water.
2. Pour in fresh boiling water.
3. Cover and steep 5 minutes, then drink.

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea is fragrant and calming, traditionally helping to move qi, ease pain, encourage gastric juices and warm the stomach and body. Although amomum is traditionally said to steady a pregnancy, pregnant women should not drink this flower tea.