Herbal & Flower Teas
Toasted Black Soybean, Mulberry & Goji Tea
Traditionally used to nourish the liver and kidneys and support the eyes
Why people make this tea
Office life means hours staring at a screen, and tired eyes are the price. Bro Niu likes a gentle daily tea for exactly that. Goji and black mulberries are old friends of the eyes, and here he adds toasted green-kernel black soybeans for their trace minerals and nutty depth. Steep it like any tea — fragrant, lightly sweet, and easy to enjoy every day.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits office workers and anyone with screen-tired eyes who wants a gentle daily eye-supporting tea.
- Traditionally enjoyed by nursing mothers and women going through menopause.
- Also suited to those with nervous exhaustion, kidney-deficiency tinnitus, hearing issues or dizziness.
- If pregnant, keep an eye on blood pressure; if it runs high, see a doctor.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Toasted green-kernel black soybean (qing ren hei dou): Contains zinc, copper, magnesium and selenium; traditionally used to nourish the liver and kidneys, support the blood and eyes, and drain dampness.
- Black mulberry (sang shen zi): Traditionally used to nourish the liver-kidney essence and support the eyes.
- Goji berry (gou qi zi): Long valued to nourish the liver and brighten the eyes.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toasted green-kernel black soybeans | 1 tbsp | Pre-toast (see tips) |
| Dried black mulberries (sang shen zi) | 1/2 tbsp | Store in the fridge |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | 1/2 tbsp | — |
Method
- Put the toasted black soybeans, mulberries and goji berries into a tea bag, then into a teapot.
- Rinse once with boiling water and discard.
- Refill with boiling water, cover, and steep about 10 minutes before drinking.
Bro Niu’s tips
Wash the black soybeans, drain them well, then dry-toast over low heat in a clean wok for about 10 minutes before storing — this brings out the flavour and helps prevent bugs and mould. Black mulberries are sweet and tasty but spoil easily, so keep them in the fridge. This tea is traditionally enjoyed by nursing and menopausal women, and by those with nervous exhaustion or kidney-deficiency tinnitus and dizziness.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (kay): Instead of dry-toasting black soybeans and sesame in a wok, can I use the oven? Bro Niu: Yes, you can use the oven.
- Q (baocy): If a pregnant woman starts getting tinnitus in early pregnancy, is there a suitable soup? Bro Niu: A pregnant woman with tinnitus can use this tea, about 3 servings a week. But do watch your blood pressure — if it is high, see a doctor.
- Q (Yan): What foods can improve and help prevent urinary-tract infection? Bro Niu: You can simmer imperata root (mao gen), corn silk and Job’s tears (each to taste) as a tea, traditionally used to help guard against urinary-tract issues.
Published May 30, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
