Tender Mulberry Bud and Chrysanthemum Tea

Why people make this tea

Tender mulberry buds are the young shoots of the mulberry leaf — brewed on their own they’re wonderfully fragrant, and paired with chrysanthemum they make a tea traditionally associated with clearing heat and brightening the eyes. It’s a soothing everyday cup for sore eyes after a cold, red threads in the whites, or itchiness.

Method

1. Put the tender mulberry buds and chrysanthemum into a teapot.
2. Rinse once with boiling water and discard that first rinse.
3. Pour in fresh boiling water, cover, and steep for 5 minutes. Ready to drink.

Nourilo’s Tips

Tender mulberry buds are available at Chinese-medicine shops or online. If you can’t find the buds, use ordinary mulberry leaf instead — but the buds are far more fragrant. If you grow a mulberry tree at home, fresh young leaves work well too (about 7–8 leaves); fresh leaves are even more effective.