Herbal & Flower Teas
Dried Tangerine Cake Cough-Relief Tea
traditionally used to soothe coughs and moisten the throat in children and adults
Why people make this tea
When a child starts coughing, many Cantonese families reach for this classic before anything else. It is made from dried tangerine cake — a preserved citrus fruit packed with natural sugars and volatile oils — paired with cooling snow pear and apricot kernels. The result is a lightly sweet drink that kids actually enjoy, which makes all the difference. Bro Niu has been sharing this recipe for years because it is safe, simple, and easy to put together from ingredients most households already stock.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for children and adults alike; mild and balanced enough for regular use
- Those with heavy phlegm and a very full feeling in the chest may want to reduce or skip the tangerine cake, as it is quite sweet — Bro Niu notes it can be less ideal when phlegm is the dominant symptom
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Dried tangerine cake (ju bing): The concentrated juice of ripe tangerine with its natural white frost (the crystallised citrus oils) is traditionally associated with soothing the lungs, relieving coughs, and gently dispersing phlegm. Pieces with an abundant natural white coating are considered the most potent.
- Snow pear (xue li): Considered cool and moistening in nature; traditionally used to nourish the lungs, clear heat, and help ease dry or irritating coughs.
- Sweet and bitter apricot kernels (nan bei xing): A classic Cantonese pairing — sweet apricot kernels (nan xing) nourish the lungs while bitter kernels (bei xing) are associated with helping to dispel phlegm and ease a tight, uncomfortable cough.
- Dried tangerine peel (chen pi): Helps move qi in the middle, supports digestion, and prevents the sweetness of the other ingredients from feeling heavy in the stomach.
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried tangerine cake (ju bing) | 2 pieces | Rinse and chop; look for natural white frost on surface |
| Snow pear (xue li) | 1 medium | Wash, core removed, cut into chunks |
| Sweet & bitter apricot kernels (nan bei xing) | ~18 g (5 qian) | Soak briefly before use |
| Dried tangerine peel (chen pi) | 1 piece | Soak briefly, rinse |
Method
- Rinse the dried tangerine cake, then chop into small pieces.
- Wash the snow pear, remove the core, and cut into chunks — no need to peel.
- Briefly soak and rinse the apricot kernels and tangerine peel.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 5 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes until reduced to about 2 bowls.
- Drink in portions throughout the day. Suitable for the whole family.
Bro Niu’s tips
When buying dried tangerine cake, look for pieces with a generous natural white frost on the surface — this is the crystallised citrus oil and is where much of the therapeutic quality lies. Artificially powdered pieces will have a loose, flaky coating that rubs off easily and tends to be sticky. The tea has a naturally pleasant sweet flavour, making it easy for children to drink.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (K Lee): Can I use dried snow pear instead of fresh? Bro Niu: Yes, dried snow pear works fine — just make sure to remove the core as well.
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Q (reader, 1-year-old): My child is 1 year old — can she have this tea? Bro Niu: Yes — for a 1-year-old, use half a tangerine cake, 1 snow pear (core removed), 3 qian of apricot kernels, and 1 piece of tangerine peel. Use 4 bowls of water and cook down to 1 bowl.
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Q (eunice): My daughter is 3 years old and still has a heavy rattling cough after recovering from fever and cold. Can she have this tea to clear the phlegm? Bro Niu: Yes, she can have this tea — just use 1 tangerine cake (not 2) for her portion.
Published December 31, 2017 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
