Fresh Fingered-Citron (Fo Shou), Ginger and Red Date Tea

Why people make this tea

Fresh fingered citron (fo shou) is beautifully fragrant — its golden colour and citrus scent make it a pleasure to work with. Brewed plain it is aromatic but quite bitter, so Nourilo slices it and simmers it with ginger, red dates and a little rock sugar to make it easier to drink. This tea is traditionally used to soothe the “liver” and move qi, and is associated with the kind of stomach pain that shifts around, comes and goes, runs up into the sides, brings frequent belching, and flares with mood and stress — the classic “liver-stomach disharmony” picture in chronic gastritis and ulcer discomfort.

Method

1. Thinly slice the fresh fingered citron.
2. Put it with the ginger and red dates in a pot with 900 ml of water.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Stir in rock sugar until dissolved, then serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

Dried fingered citron is sold at Chinese herbal pharmacies; fresh fingered citron, when in season, is available at Chinese or Asian grocers. As an everyday brew, you can pair it with rose buds (mei gui hua) to help soothe a stressed, stuck “liver-qi.” If you “heat up” easily, brew it with a pinch of osmanthus instead — gentler and kind to the stomach.