Lotus Plumule Tea (Lian Zi Xin Tea)

Why people make this tea

When Nourilo wrote this recipe, Hong Kong was going through a period of social unrest, and he noticed many people around him struggling with sleeplessness and anxiety — not because of any illness, but because of the weight of ongoing worry. His remedy was simple: look to the heart. In traditional Chinese food and herbal culture, the tiny green plumule inside a fresh lotus seed is one of the most elegant tools for quieting internal fire. The lotus plumule — a sliver of pale green, intensely bitter — is the embryo that sits at the very heart of the seed. Most people discard it when cooking; Nourilo says never throw it away. When fresh lotus seeds come into season around the Mid-Autumn Festival, the plumules can be collected and dried for year-round use, or steeped fresh in a cup of hot water.

Method

Fresh lotus plumule (cooked):

1. Rinse the fresh plumules.
2. Place in a small pot with 600 ml of water.
3. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Drink as a tea (the plumules themselves are intensely bitter — most people just drink the brew).

Dried lotus plumule (steeped):

1. Place 2 teaspoons of dried lotus plumule in a cup.
2. Pour in boiling water and steep for a few minutes before drinking.
3. Can be re-steeped until the flavour fades.

Nourilo’s Tips

Dried lotus plumule is available year-round at Chinese herbal medicine shops and is inexpensive. The taste is intensely bitter — more bitter than green tea — but that bitterness is itself part of its character. Classical Chinese dietary theory holds that bitter flavours enter and cool the heart. If the bitterness is too strong, you can add a small amount of honey to soften it. When fresh lotus seeds are in season (around Mid-Autumn), save every plumule you shell — dry them out and store in a glass jar. This is one of those small household wellness habits that costs almost nothing. Remember: although the lotus plumule has many benefits, those with a weak or cold constitution should drink it in moderation rather than every day.