Pine Nut, Goji, Chrysanthemum and Sesame Tea

Why people make this tea

A child once showed Nourilo a pine cone from a Christmas tree, asking if he knew what was inside. He played along, and the delighted little one tossed it down so two thin winged seeds fell out, then proudly explained — like a small teacher — that the seeds hide in the cone for the squirrels to eat. To reward such bright curiosity, Nourilo bought him some fragrant, plump pine nuts. Pine nuts are sweet and warming, traditionally said to nourish, moisten the skin, warm the gut and ease dry cough. Brewed with goji, chrysanthemum and sesame, this tea is traditionally used for liver-fire signs with dizziness or blurred, tired eyes.

Method

1. Grind the pine nuts, goji and sesame into a fine powder.
2. Put the chrysanthemum in a teapot, pour in boiling water and steep 5–6 minutes; strain off the chrysanthemum.
3. Use the chrysanthemum water to steep the ground mixture, then serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea is fragrant and pleasant and traditionally said to soften liver qi. It is helpful for those who are run-down after illness or greying early, and for children who are habitually irritable, cry or fuss for no reason, or sleep poorly.