Mulberry, Southern Date, and Goji Berry Rice Wine

Why people make this wine

The entire mulberry tree has something to offer in Chinese food-therapy — the leaves, the branches, the root bark, and the fruit are all used. The fruit (mulberry berries) is particularly prized for its ability to nourish the liver and kidneys, support blood production, and brighten the eyes. Fresh mulberries make a wonderfully fragrant base for this tonic wine — steep them with goji berries and southern dates in rice wine and, after a month of quiet maturing in a glass jar, the result is a flavourful drink that makes a useful small tipple before dinner for those who experience blood deficiency patterns: tired eyes, dizziness, early-greying hair, restless sleep, or generalised fatigue.