5 from 129 votes
Longan Tea with Red Dates
Longan Tea with Red Dates is a warm herbal infusion combining dried longans, Chinese red dates, goji berries, and fresh ginger simmered together to create a naturally sweet, aromatic drink. Optional rock sugar adjusts sweetness, and toasted pine nuts can garnish for subtle crunch and nuttiness.
Prep Time
3 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Servings:
4
people
Calories:
95 kcal
Course:
Dessert, Appetizer, Drinks
Cuisine:
Chinese
Ingredients
- ¼ Cup dried longans about 50-60g
- ½ Cup Chinese red dates Also known as jujubes. About 6-8 pieces, cut into strips, seeds removed, I find it easiest to use a kitchen scissors to snip off the flesh but you can use a knife if you prefer (See post above for directions if you are not sure how to remove the seed.)
- ⅛ Cup Goji berries also known as wolfberries, about 15g
- 1 ginger washed and cut/ sliced, skin can be left on, thumb sized
- 4 C water 1 litre
- rock sugar Optional: to taste. Can substitute with brown sugar and other sweeteners if you don't find this sweet enough, but please taste first as most of the ingredients have a natural sweetness!
- pine nuts Optional garnish, lightly toasted
Instructions
- Rinse all the ingredients- you never know where they were sitting whilst drying!
- Add everything to the pot and bring to the boil.
- Once boiling, reduce to a simmer (I used 4-5 on a Bosch induction cooker) and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or to taste.
- Taste and, if necessary, add brown sugar (or substitute) and stir till dissolved.
- Serve with a few goji berries, a longan and some red date slices in each cup.
- Optional garnish: lightly toasted pine nuts go well with the tea too.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Add additional ingredients like pandan leaves or dried tangerine slices at the start of simmering to infuse flavor.
- Adjust the amount and simmering time of ginger to control the spice level of the tea.
- Rock sugar or brown sugar can be used to sweeten; taste before adding as dried fruits contribute natural sweetness.
- Serving with the fruit pieces included provides a pleasant texture along with the tea.
- Lightly toasted pine nuts make a suitable garnish adding nuttiness and crunch.
Nutrition Information
Calories
95kcal
(5%)
Carbohydrates
24g
(8%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
0.4g
(1%)
Saturated Fat
0.003g
(0%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.003g
(0%)
Monounsaturated Fat
0.003g
(0%)
Sodium
15mg
(1%)
Potassium
204mg
(4%)
Fiber
0.2g
(1%)
Sugar
0.03g
(0%)
Vitamin C
16mg
(18%)
Calcium
31mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 95
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 95kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 24g | 8% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 0.4g | 1% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.003g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.003g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.003g | 0% |
| Sodium | 15mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 204mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 0.2g | 1% |
| Sugar | 0.03g | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 16mg | 18% |
| Calcium | 31mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.