Black Raisin & Goji Berry Tea

Why people make this tea

As grape juice dries into a raisin, most of the water evaporates but the concentrated nutrients remain. A hundred grams of raisins contain roughly 2.8 mg of iron and 768 mg of potassium — making them a convenient, naturally sweet way to top up these two minerals. In Chinese food therapy, grape is considered to tonify yin, nourish the spleen and stomach, build energy, and calm the mind. The black-skinned varieties are especially valued because they contain anthocyanins — the same pigments behind the brain-health reputation of blueberries and black wolfberry. Goji berry is one of the most widely used food-herbs in Chinese medicine: associated with nourishing liver and kidney yin, brightening the eyes, improving memory, and regulating the nervous system. Together, these two make a tea that is pleasant to drink every day and gently supportive of brain health and complexion.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for most adults, particularly the elderly, those with poor memory, brain fog, slow reactions, or vision that is becoming less sharp
• Also useful for people who look pale, are easily tired, or feel generally depleted
• People managing blood sugar should be mindful of the natural sugar content in raisins — enjoy in moderation
• Eat the tea solids after drinking for maximum benefit (raisins and goji are both pleasant to eat directly)

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Black raisins (hei pu tao gan): Contain anthocyanins that in some research can cross the blood-brain barrier and directly nourish brain cells; in Chinese food therapy, black-coloured foods are traditionally associated with the kidney system, which governs brain function and memory; also nourish yin, support the spleen, calm the spirit, and build blood
• Goji berries (gou qi zi / Lycium barbarum): Nourish liver and kidney yin; brighten the eyes; support the nervous system; traditionally associated with improving memory and cognitive function; some studies indicate polysaccharides in goji may have neuroprotective effects

Ingredients (1 cup)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Black raisins	2 tablespoons	Any brand works; American varieties tend to be larger
Goji berries	1 tablespoon
Boiling water	Enough to fill a cup or small teapot

Method

1. Place the black raisins and goji berries into a teapot or mug.
2. Pour in a small amount of boiling water to rinse; discard.
3. Pour in fresh boiling water and steep for 10 minutes.
4. Drink the tea and eat the raisins and goji berries — consuming the solids maximises the nutritional benefit.
5. For maximum flavour without eating the solids, simmer the raisins and goji in water for 20 minutes instead.

Bro Niu’s tips

Black raisins are available at most supermarkets and dried-fruit or snack shops. American varieties tend to be plumper. For a particularly effective skin-brightening approach, try soaking the black raisins in apple-cider vinegar overnight (about 1 tablespoon at a time) and eating the soaked raisins. The vinegar-soaked version has a stronger complexion-brightening effect, though the sharp acidic taste may not be for everyone — Bro Niu personally finds it quite pungent! For people specifically looking to address nervous exhaustion (neurasthenia), drink this tea consistently for 7–10 days.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (KK): Can I use dried blueberries instead of black raisins? Bro Niu: Dried blueberries work too, but most commercial dried blueberries have added sugar and can be quite sweet. Black raisins have a natural sweetness that is more balanced. That said, blueberries are also an excellent source of anthocyanins, so the substitution is perfectly reasonable.

• Q (Crlis): What brand of black raisins should I use, and can the tea brighten the complexion? Bro Niu: Any brand of black raisins is fine — American ones tend to be plumper. For skin brightening, the most effective approach is to soak black raisins in vinegar overnight and eat them (about 1 tablespoon at a time). The vinegar-soaked version has the best brightening effect, though the taste is quite sharp and may not suit everyone.

• Q (anonymous): Where can I buy black raisins? Bro Niu: Supermarkets and shops selling dried fruit or snacks all carry black raisins. They are widely available.

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Published May 14, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.