Winter Melon, Lotus Leaf, Red Adzuki and Barley Summer Tea

Why people make this tea

Around the Minor Heat (Xiao Shu) solar term in early July, the air in Hong Kong becomes heavy and stifling — and this is exactly when families traditionally brew this simple cooling drink. The idea is not complicated: summer heat and accumulated dampness make people feel sluggish, bloated, and thirsty, and a gentle pot of this tea helps the body do what it needs to do to stay comfortable.

Nourilo specifies one important detail: the best winter melon for this purpose is the old, fully ripe variety that has developed a visible white frost on its skin (pei shuang dong gua). This frost-coated maturity means the flesh is denser and more medicinal than an immature melon. Fresh lotus leaf pairs beautifully with the melon — use it immediately or dry it for later.