Sweet Soups & Desserts
Candied Citron Peel, Aged Tangerine Peel and Poria Tea
Traditionally soothes the liver, moves the qi and transforms phlegm
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu spotted candied citron peel for sale in the supermarket — the fragrant, sweet kind from Yunnan that brews into a lovely tea. Citron (xiang yuan) is a citrus cousin of the better-known Buddha’s hand (fo shou), and is traditionally used to soothe the liver, move the qi and ease the chest. Paired with aged tangerine peel and poria, it makes a warm, fragrant cup that is friendly to a tight, stuck feeling in the chest and sides.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people with liver-and-stomach qi stagnation: a tight or full chest and sides, fullness in the upper belly, belching, queasiness, or a phlegmy cough.
- A gentle everyday tea with no special cautions noted in the source. People who tend to have a lot of phlegm and a wheezy cough can drink it regularly.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Candied citron peel (xiang yuan pi): sweet and fragrant; traditionally used to soothe the liver, move the qi, ease the chest and transform phlegm.
- Aged tangerine peel (chen pi): traditionally moves the qi and harmonizes the stomach, and supports phlegm transformation.
- Poria (fu ling): traditionally used to drain dampness and support the spleen.
- Rock sugar (bing tang): rounds out the flavour.
Ingredients (2–3 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Candied citron peel (xiang yuan) | 5 qian (~19 g) | Substitute Buddha’s hand (fo shou) if unavailable |
| Aged tangerine peel (chen pi) | 2 qian (~7.5 g) | |
| Poria (fu ling) | 4 qian (~15 g) | |
| Rock sugar | to taste | Stir in at the end |
Method
- Rinse the ingredients and put them in a pot.
- Add 5 bowls of water and boil about 45 minutes. (As with most soups, bring to a boil over high heat, then lower to a medium-gentle simmer.)
- Stir in the rock sugar until dissolved and drink.
Bro Niu’s tips
If you cannot find candied citron peel, head to a Chinese herb shop and use Buddha’s hand (fo shou) instead. People who tend toward a lot of phlegm and a wheezy cough can drink this tea regularly.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Mei Zhu): For boiling this citron-and-tangerine-peel tea 45 minutes — do I bring it to a boil over high heat first, then lower to a gentle simmer? Bro Niu: Generally for any soup you bring it to a boil over high heat first, then switch to a medium-gentle heat; 45 minutes is right.
Published September 19, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
