Chrysanthemum Licorice Green Tea

Why people make this tea

Green tea has long been prized for its high catechin content — naturally occurring antioxidant compounds that are most concentrated in unfermented or lightly fermented teas. Chrysanthemum has been used in Chinese food-therapy for centuries to help clear heat from the upper body and soothe the throat. Paired with a touch of liquorice, which is traditionally considered balancing and soothing to the digestive system, this trio makes a pleasant and practical daily brew during the colder months or whenever respiratory bugs are going around. Nourilo keeps a stash of pre-made tea bags to take along while travelling.

Method

1. Place all three ingredients into a tea bag or infuser.
2. Set the tea bag in a cup or teapot.
3. Pour in freshly boiled water.
4. Steep for 7–8 minutes.
5. Drink while warm. The bag can be re-steeped until the flavour is depleted.

Nourilo’s Tips

The key to this tea’s antioxidant benefit is using genuine unfermented green tea — Longjing, Biluochun, and Huangshan Maofeng are all good choices. Lightly fermented teas like oolong and tieguanyin still retain a significant amount of catechins and can work as well. This tea is also said to help with fat metabolism and mild blood-pressure support, but people with a cold constitution should limit their intake. Women should avoid it during menstruation and pregnancy.