Green Olive, Golden Monk Fruit, and Dried Snow Pear Tea

Why people make this tea

When Nourilo noticed his throat becoming uncomfortable after eating too much chilli paste and kimchi, his first instinct was to brew this simple, pleasant-tasting tea. In traditional Chinese food therapy, the throat is considered an early checkpoint for respiratory pathogens — keeping it moist and clear is seen as an important daily wellness habit, especially during seasons when viral infections circulate. Green Chinese olives have long been used in Cantonese food therapy to clear throat heat and generate fluids; monk fruit (luo han guo) is one of the sweetest natural ingredients known, beloved for its throat-soothing properties; and dried snow pear adds a light, moistening quality. The three together make a tea that is refreshing, naturally sweet, and genuinely soothing.

Method

1. Rinse the green olives and lightly bruise each one using the flat side of a cleaver or a heavy object.
2. Crack the golden monk fruit open and break into pieces; use all parts including the skin.
3. Remove seeds from the dried pear slices and rinse.
4. Place all ingredients in a pot with 1.8 L of water.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until liquid reduces to approximately 900 ml.
6. Serve warm. For a sore throat, drink 2–3 consecutive daily portions.

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea has a pleasant, clear sweetness that children rarely refuse. If using regular monk fruit instead of the golden variety, use 1 whole fruit for a family pot, increase the olives to 15, and add a few extra pear slices. The whole monk fruit — skin, flesh, and seeds — all have therapeutic value, so nothing needs to be discarded. For a persistent sore throat, Nourilo recommends continuing for 2–3 days. If fresh snow pear is available, that works just as well as the dried version.