Black Mulberry, Goji Berry & South Jujube Date Tea

Why people make this tea

There is an old Chinese saying: “Eat three jujube dates a day and youth will not show its age.” Nourilo keeps a bag of dried black mulberries on his shelf — they are enjoyable as a snack straight from the packet, but even better steeped into a warm tea. Black mulberries are rich in anthocyanins and the trace element selenium, making them one of the most potent natural antioxidants available in a food-therapy kitchen. They are traditionally used to nourish yin, build blood, promote skin health, support dark and glossy hair, and sharpen vision. For anyone whose eyes feel dry and tired after a long day at a computer, or who notices their hair greying earlier than expected, this simple three-ingredient tea can become a pleasant and sustainable daily habit. South jujube (nan zao) is considered superior to ordinary red jujube in Chinese tradition — it is processed with black bean juice during production, giving it a richer nutritional profile. The three ingredients together make a tea that is warming, naturally sweet, and genuinely enjoyable.

Method

1. Place all ingredients in a heatproof mug or small teapot. Pour over a small amount of boiling water to give a quick rinse, then drain.
2. Pour in enough fresh boiling water to fill the cup (about 300–350 ml).
3. Steep for 10 minutes.
4. Drink warm. It is best to also eat the mulberries, goji berries, and jujube dates — they carry most of the nutritional value.
5. The cup can be re-steeped 1–2 more times until the flavour fades.

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea is excellent for anyone who stares at a screen all day — a simple way to support your eyes through what you drink. Nourilo suggests drinking it 4–5 times per week rather than every single day. If you live in an area where fresh black mulberries are available (Nourilo mentions this is more common in places like the United States), you can use 3 tablespoons of fresh fruit in place of 1 tablespoon of the dried version. Fresh black mulberries are equally nourishing.