Apple, Chrysanthemum & Dried Fig Tea

Why people make this tea

As the air turns drier in autumn, many people notice their skin, throat, and nose feeling parched. In traditional food therapy, autumn is the season most associated with the lungs, and dryness is considered the characteristic challenge of the season. This quick four-ingredient tea is one of Nourilo’s go-to autumn preparations — simple enough to make on a weekday morning, yet genuinely pleasant to drink. Keeping the apple skin on is intentional: apple skin contains quercetin, a natural antioxidant that is thought to help protect lung tissue from environmental irritants. Just make sure to soak the apple briefly in hot water first and scrub it clean, since the skin may carry wax or residue.

Method

1. Soak the apple briefly in hot water, then scrub the skin clean; remove the core and cut into chunks.
2. Rinse the chrysanthemum flowers, dried figs, and honey dates.
3. Place all ingredients into a small pot with 1.2 L of water.
4. Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium heat for about 15 minutes until the liquid reduces to around 600 ml.
5. Serve warm. Suitable for all ages.

Nourilo’s Tips

Apple skin contains a natural antioxidant called quercetin, which is thought to help protect the lungs from environmental pollutants. It is worth keeping the skin on — just clean it thoroughly first. Since apples are often coated in wax and may have been treated with pesticides, soaking briefly in warm water and then scrubbing with a brush is a good habit before eating any apple with the skin.

If you prefer to use German chamomile (German Matricaria) instead of Chinese chrysanthemum, do not boil it — instead, brew the rest of the ingredients normally, then add the chamomile and steep off the heat for 5 minutes before drinking.