Passion Fruit, Goji Berry & Longan Honey Tea

Why people make this tea

Passion fruit is named for the remarkable range of aromas it carries — notes of pineapple, mango, banana and apple all at once. When fully ripe, with skin turned dark and wrinkled, it reaches peak fragrance and sweetness. Beyond its wonderful aroma, passion fruit contains phenolic compounds that traditional Chinese food therapy associates with calming the mind and lifting low spirits. Paired with sweet longan flesh — a classic Chinese tonic for blood nourishment and heart-calming — and goji berries that traditionally support the liver and eyes, this tea makes a simple, enjoyable end-of-day ritual for anyone carrying too much stress.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suits adults under work or lifestyle pressure who want a pleasant, naturally sweet calming drink
• Suits those with mild low mood, difficulty settling the mind at bedtime, or eye fatigue from long screen hours
• Those with gastric ulcers, hyperacidity, or a history of stomach sensitivity should avoid or use passion fruit sparingly
• Best consumed after dinner; those with no digestive issues may drink it before bed

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Passion fruit (bai xiang guo): Contains natural phenolic compounds; traditionally associated with calming the spirit and supporting a positive mood
• Goji berries (gou qi zi): Classically used in Chinese food therapy to nourish liver-blood and support the eyes; mild and sweet in flavour
• Dried longan flesh (yuan rou / long yan rou): A traditional heart-nourishing, blood-supplementing fruit; frequently used in sleep-support formulas in Chinese herbal food therapy
• Raw honey (feng mi): Adds gentle sweetness and traditionally considered moistening and harmonising

Ingredients (1–2 servings)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Passion fruit	1	Choose a dark, wrinkled skin — it means fully ripe
Goji berries	1/2 tablespoon	Rinse before use
Dried longan flesh	10 pieces	Also labelled yuan rou or long yan rou
Raw honey	To taste	Add after the water is poured to preserve enzymes

Method

1. Place the goji berries and dried longan flesh in a heatproof mug or teapot. Pour a small amount of freshly boiled water over them to give a quick rinse, then drain.
2. Pour in enough freshly boiled water to fill the cup (about 300–350 ml).
3. Halve the passion fruit and scoop the pulp and seeds directly into the cup. Give it a stir.
4. Let it steep for 2–3 minutes, then stir in raw honey to your liking. Drink warm, eating the longan and goji berries as you go.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea has a genuinely beautiful, complex fragrance. Beyond helping you unwind at the end of the day, it has a reputation in traditional food therapy for supporting skin health and possessing antioxidant properties. The whole family can enjoy it — young and old alike. Just remember: because passion fruit is naturally acidic, anyone with a history of stomach ulcers should use it with care.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (ROSITA): Can this passion fruit tea be drunk just before sleep? Thank you! Bro Niu: If you have no digestive issues, you can enjoy the passion fruit tea before bed.

• Q (Wing): My child is 5 years old and often only sleeps 8–9 hours. I’d like to make something to clear heat and dampness that also helps with sleep. What could I add to cloud poria, white atractylodes, and hyacinth bean coat? Bro Niu: You can add alisma (ze xie) — about 3 qian — plus one piece of dried tangerine peel. If you also want a calming effect, add 5 qian lily bulb, 5 qian poria spirit wood (fu shen), and 2 honey dates. For a 5-year-old, 8 hours of sleep is generally sufficient.

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Published August 18, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.