Mulberry, Goji Berry, and Red Date Tea

Why people make this tea

When fresh mulberries come into season — deep black, plump, and glossy — it is one of those rare moments when a delicious fruit also happens to be a respected food-therapy ingredient. Classical texts describe the mulberry as the “concentrated essence of the mulberry tree” and modern research confirms it is exceptionally rich in anthocyanins, iron, and vitamin C. In Chinese food therapy, mulberries are closely associated with the liver and kidneys — the two organs traditionally linked to eye health, blood vitality, and the condition of the hair.

Combined with goji berries (another classic liver-kidney tonic) and red dates (gently nourishing to qi and blood), this simple tea works on several fronts at once: supporting vision, enriching the blood, calming the nervous system, and even contributing to hair health over time. It takes only 15 minutes to prepare and tastes like a warm, lightly tart fruit punch. When fresh mulberries are not available, dried ones work perfectly well.

Method

1. Rinse the mulberries, goji berries, and red dates. Pit the dates and cut them into coarse strips or score them — this helps release their flavor more fully in the short cooking time.
2. Place all ingredients in a small pot with 900 ml of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook for approximately 15 minutes.
4. Add rock sugar (or brown sugar) to taste and stir until dissolved.
5. Serve warm. Drink the tea and eat the softened fruits.

Nourilo’s Tips

Choose only fully ripe, deep-black mulberries — the red or pink ones are unripe and should not be used, as they have a sharp astringent taste and are not suitable for this recipe. When buying red dates, look for whole, unpitted ones — pre-pitted or pre-sliced dates are often of lower quality. For the dates to release enough flavor in just 15 minutes, remove the pits and cut the flesh into coarse strips before cooking. If you have made a larger batch and want to store it, keep the liquid and the fruit solids separately in the fridge — they will keep for up to 3 days that way.