Apple and Golden Raisin Tea

Why people make this tea

This is one of Bro Niu’s simplest and most approachable recipes — two everyday ingredients turned into a refreshing, naturally sweet tea with real food-therapy intent behind it. Apples have long been prized in Cantonese cooking for their skin-nourishing and lung-moistening qualities. Golden raisins add a concentrated sweetness and, in traditional thinking, help nourish the blood and support circulation to the face. The result is a pleasant, tangy-sweet drink that Bro Niu says can gradually brighten a pale or sallow complexion if you make it part of your routine. It is especially helpful for people with dry skin, a lack of radiance, or a tendency toward facial spots.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suits most adults and older children, including toddlers (use fewer raisins for small children to keep sweetness in check)
• Particularly helpful for those with dry skin, a dull or uneven complexion, or mild facial pigmentation
• Can be enjoyed regularly as a wellness drink — the flavor is pleasant enough to make it easy to maintain the habit
• This tea is naturally sweet, so those monitoring blood sugar should enjoy it in moderation

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Apple: Moistening and cooling; traditionally associated with nourishing the skin, supporting lung function, and helping the body maintain a natural glow; also mildly astringent, which supports digestion
• Golden raisins (jin ti zi gan): Rich in natural sugars, iron, and antioxidants; in traditional food therapy they are associated with nourishing the blood and supporting healthy skin tone; black raisins have a similar effect

Ingredients (2–3 cups)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Apple	2 medium	Scrub skin with a little salt, then rinse; slice with skin on
Golden raisins (or black raisins)	~28 g (1 oz)	Rinse well

Method

1. Scrub the apples with a small amount of salt to remove residual surface residues, then rinse well with water.
2. Slice the apples (keep the skin on; remove the core and seeds).
3. Rinse the raisins.
4. Place the raisins in a pot with 4 bowls of water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add the apple slices and simmer for a further 3 minutes.
6. Serve warm or at room temperature. Drink the tea and eat the softened fruit.

Bro Niu’s tips

• Scrubbing the apple skin with salt before rinsing is an effective way to remove surface residues from the skin
• This tea is naturally tangy-sweet and makes a pleasant everyday drink; regular use over time is associated with a more radiant complexion
• If you have leftovers, strain out the fruit first before storing the liquid in the refrigerator — cooked fruit left soaking in liquid can undergo changes that are not ideal over time
• Can be reheated; the tea can also be made daily as a fresh batch given how quick it is to prepare

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (lingling): Can I drink this every day? And can I reheat it? Bro Niu: Yes, you can reheat it and drink it regularly.

• Q (lingling): Can I store it in the fridge? Bro Niu: Yes, you can store it in the fridge, but strain out the fruit first. Cooked fruit left sitting in liquid may undergo some chemical changes, so it is better to keep them separate.

• Q (Carrie): Can a 2-year-old child drink this? Bro Niu: Yes, a 2-year-old can drink it, but use fewer raisins to keep it from being too sweet.

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Published March 5, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.