Loquat Flower and Licorice Tea

Why people make this tea

Loquat trees bloom in winter, and Nourilo recalls seeing them in country gardens as a child. Today the dried flower buds are available in many Chinese herb shops, where they have become a quiet favourite for seasonal cough and throat irritation. Unlike loquat leaf, which is the more commonly known ingredient, the flower bud has a gentle, neutral-to-slightly-warm nature and is used specifically to clear heat from the lungs and ease dryness. Paired with just a few slices of licorice — one of the most widely used herbs in the Chinese tradition, known for its harmonising and soothing properties — this tea is quick to prepare and pleasant to drink.

Method

1. Place the loquat flower buds and licorice slices in a teapot or infuser.
2. Give them a quick rinse with boiling water and discard that first rinse.
3. Pour fresh boiling water over the ingredients and steep (焗) for 15 minutes with the lid on.
4. Pour and drink. The ingredients can be refilled with boiling water and re-steeped 1–2 more times.

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea is most useful at the first sign of throat irritation from a cold. If symptoms shift — for example, if the nose runs — add 6 magnolia flower buds (xin yi hua) to the same pot and steep together; this combination is particularly helpful for nasal congestion. If the eyes feel dry and hot as well, a few dried chrysanthemum flowers make a good addition.