Herbal & Flower Teas
Three-Flower Tea (Apple Blossom, Rose and Osmanthus)
Traditionally brightens the complexion and helps fade dark spots
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu brews rose and osmanthus often, but apple blossom is one he reaches for less. He thinks it deserves more love — it has a lovely clean fragrance and is traditionally associated with brightening the complexion and helping fade spots. Blended with rose and osmanthus, the aroma turns rich and warm, and the trio is traditionally linked with help for freckles or melasma tied to a stuck mood or an out-of-sorts digestion.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People who want a fragrant, brightening daily tea
- Not cooling, so it’s friendly even for those with a weaker stomach (one reader asked, and Bro Niu confirmed it isn’t chilly)
- Pregnant readers should be cautious with floral teas and ask their doctor
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Apple blossom (ping guo hua): clean and fragrant; traditionally associated with brightening and fading spots
- Rose (mei gui hua): traditionally eases a stuck, irritable mood and moves the qi gently (mildly warming, so use modestly)
- Osmanthus (jin gui hua): traditionally settles the stomach, freshens the breath and disperses stagnation
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple blossom | ~3 g (1 qian) | About 1 teaspoon |
| Rose buds | ~3 g (1 qian) | About 1 teaspoon |
| Golden osmanthus | ~3 g (1 qian) | About 1 teaspoon |
| Honey | to taste | Stirred in at the end |
Method
- Put the three flowers in a pot.
- Pour in water at about 95°C and cover.
- Steep for about 5 minutes, stir in honey, and serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is clean and tasty, and is traditionally regarded as friendly for those with a bloated stomach, irregular periods or breakouts. If it tastes a little bitter at first, reduce the amount of flowers slightly. Honey makes it tastier and more soothing, but you can leave it out if you prefer.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Ida): Is this three-flower tea cooling? Can someone with a weak stomach drink it regularly? Bro Niu: The three-flower tea isn’t cooling, so it suits people with a weaker stomach.
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Q (cathy): Is this tea a bit bitter and astringent? Mine was bitter on the first steep but fine by the third — is that normal? How many cups a day at most? Bro Niu: Use a slightly smaller amount of the flowers and there’ll be less bitterness.
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Q (Kaman): Where can I buy apple blossom, rose and osmanthus, and how much is 1 qian? Bro Niu: Rose and osmanthus are sold at many dried-goods and herbal shops; apple blossom can be found at flower-tea shops and larger supermarket tea counters. One qian is about 3 g — roughly a teaspoon of each.
Published March 9, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
