Apple Blossom, Wolfberry, and Honey Tea

Why people make this tea

Nourilo came across apple blossoms at a small flower-tea shop and was immediately drawn in — partly by the name, partly by the delicate white trumpet-shaped petals and their sweet, clean fragrance. Apple blossom is not yet widely known in Western herbal tradition, but in Chinese flower-tea culture it has a growing following for its gentle association with blood nourishment and skin brightening. Paired with wolfberries — one of the most familiar Chinese superfoods in the Western world — and a spoonful of good honey, this tea makes a lovely, restorative afternoon drink that is easy to prepare anywhere.

Method

1. Place apple blossoms and wolfberries in a teapot or heatproof cup.
2. Pour a small amount of boiling water over them, swirl briefly, and discard this first rinse (to clean the flowers).
3. Pour fresh boiling water over the ingredients, filling the pot or cup.
4. Steep for 5 minutes with the lid on.
5. Stir in honey to taste and serve. The tea can be steeped again once or twice until the flavour fades. Eat the wolfberries after finishing the tea for full benefit.

Nourilo’s Tips

• Apple blossom can be combined with other flowers for different effects: pair with rose and jasmine to support emotional balance and skin brightness; pair with bitter orange flower (dai dai hua) and rose to support mood and hormonal balance.
• Good quality pure honey is highly versatile — it works in flower teas, cooked dishes, preserves, and as a straight drink. Nourilo recommends sourcing raw, pure honey when possible.
• Eat the steeped wolfberries after you finish the tea — the full nutritional benefit comes from consuming the berries, not just the infused water.