Green Olive and Golden Monk Fruit Herbal Drink

Why people make this drink

A student in one of Nourilo’s postnatal care classes mentioned she was from Fujian — where green olives grow in abundance — and asked what to pair them with. The answer was straightforward: green olive with golden monk fruit is one of the most reliable traditional Cantonese remedies for respiratory health, throat inflammation and tonsillitis.

Raw green olives taste sharp and initially sour, but they have a pleasant lingering sweetness and are exceptionally rich in nutrients. Their vitamin C content is ten times higher than apples and five times higher than pears or peaches. Their calcium content is among the highest of any fruit. For children who frequently suffer from tonsillitis, eating green olives regularly can support both throat health and bone development.

The addition of monk fruit creates a wonderfully sweet and soothing drink — a natural fit for hot summer days, dry throats or any time the throat feels uncomfortable.

Method

1. Rinse the green olives and crack each one with the flat side of a cleaver to expose the flesh.
2. Crack the monk fruit open into pieces.
3. Place both ingredients into a pot with 1.8 L of water.
4. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes until reduced to 4 cups.
5. Drink as a warm or room-temperature beverage throughout the day.

Nourilo’s Tips

This drink is naturally sweet, refreshing and pleasant — the whole family will enjoy it. It is particularly helpful for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who experience dry mouth or a painful, scorched throat. The drink can be consumed freely; there are no strong contraindications for typical use.