Winter Melon Tea Recipe
A must-have summer drink, winter melon tea is refreshing and sweet, perfect for cooling down on hot days. It's easy to make, so let's unlock this delicious treat together and enjoy the icy sweetness of summer!
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1.What is Winter Melon Tea?
Winter melon tea has a captivating amber color and a unique aroma. It is made by simmering and concentrating winter melon, which is known for its cooling properties and ability to reduce swelling. This tea not only quenches thirst but is also a delightful drink for hot weather. In some regions, adding brown sugar or rock sugar enhances its rich and smooth flavor. Winter melon tea is popular in Southeast Asia and East Asia, especially in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan, and is commonly found in Shanghai and Guangdong in China.
2.Ingredients
Making winter melon tea requires just three simple ingredients:
Winter melon
Chinese brown sugar (regular brown sugar is a good substitute)
A pinch of salt
3.History of Winter Melon Tea
Winter melon tea has a long history in East Asia, particularly in Taiwan and southern China, with origins dating back several centuries. According to legend, it first emerged in Fujian Province. As a common summer vegetable, winter melon was discovered to provide a refreshing comfort when boiled and consumed as tea during hot weather. Over time, various herbs and spices were added during cooking, enriching the flavor of the tea. Common additions include licorice, chrysanthemum, mint, and dried tangerine peel, which not only enhance the taste but also provide medicinal benefits such as cooling properties and diuretic effects.
4.Nutritional Value of Winter Melon Tea
Winter melon tea is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and potassium. Vitamin C boosts immunity and has antioxidant properties, giving your skin a healthy glow. Potassium helps maintain normal heart function and stable blood pressure. The cooling and diuretic properties of winter melon also aid in reducing excess water weight and relieving bloating. Additionally, the use of brown or rock sugar adds flavor and provides a boost of energy.
5.Recommended Varieties of Winter Melon
Winter melon comes in two varieties: green-skinned and white-skinned. For making winter melon tea, green-skinned winter melon is recommended due to its tender flesh, refreshing taste, and high juice content, which enhances the tea's benefits.
6.Tips for Making Perfect Winter Melon Tea
Slow Simmer: Place winter melon and brown sugar in a pot without adding water. Allow it to release its juices, then simmer over low heat. This method helps fully extract the nutrients while preventing burning.
Timing: Simmer for about an hour until the winter melon is soft and the liquid is thick. Overcooking can make the tea too mushy, while undercooking may affect the flavor and benefits.
7.Proper Storage of Winter Melon Tea
Cool and Bottle: Let the cooked tea cool to room temperature before transferring it to a clean glass jar. Ensure the jar is well-sealed to prevent contamination.
Refrigerate: Store the bottled tea in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. It’s best consumed within a week.
8.More Delicious Tea Recipes
Passionfruit Grapefruit Honey Lemonade
Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to making winter melon tea.
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INGREDIENTS
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- 1800g Winter Melon
ACCESSORIES
- 600g Brown Sugar
- 5g Salt
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
Prepare 1800g of winter melon, 600g of brown sugar, and 5g of salt.
Tip:
Use green-skinned winter melon and keep the skin, flesh, and seeds intact.
STEP 2
Wet the winter melon skin with water and scrub it thoroughly with salt.
STEP 3
Rinse the winter melon with clean water until it's clean.
STEP 4
Cut the washed winter melon into small pieces.
Tip:
The smaller the pieces, the easier they will release water.
STEP 5
Chop the 600g of brown sugar into smaller pieces.
Tip:
You can also buy granulated brown sugar directly.
STEP 6
Place the chopped winter melon and brown sugar into a pot, mix well, and let it marinate for 20 minutes.
Tip:
No heat is needed; the sugar will draw out the moisture from the melon.
STEP 7
After marinating, bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
STEP 8
Once boiling, reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
STEP 9
When the liquid evaporates, the winter melon softens, and the syrup thickens and darkens, turn off the heat.
STEP 10
Strain the cooked winter melon syrup.
Tip:
Store the syrup in a sealed container; it can last for 7 days.
STEP 11
Mix the syrup with purified water in a 1:3 ratio, stir well, and enjoy!
FAQ:
1.What is winter melon tea made from?
Winter melon tea is typically made from winter melon and brown sugar. To enhance the flavor, ingredients like licorice, chrysanthemum, mint, and dried tangerine peel may also be added.
2.What if winter melon tea tastes too bland?
If the tea tastes bland, it might be due to an incorrect ratio of winter melon to sugar or insufficient cooking time. You can increase the sugar slightly or extend the cooking time to fully release the flavor of the winter melon.
3.Is winter melon tea healthy?
Yes, winter melon tea is relatively healthy, offering benefits such as:
Cooling and refreshing: Its cooling properties are especially beneficial in hot weather.
Diuretic effects: It helps eliminate excess water, reducing bloating and moisture retention.
Low calories: When made with moderate sugar, it’s suitable for those looking to lose weight.
Nutritional value: Winter melon is rich in vitamins and minerals.
However, be cautious of added sugar, as excessive consumption can lead to increased blood sugar levels and weight gain. Moderation is key for health benefits.
4.Does winter melon tea help with coughing?
Winter melon tea can provide some relief for coughs, but it shouldn’t be solely relied upon for treatment. Winter melon has cooling and phlegm-reducing properties, which may alleviate coughs caused by heat in the lungs. However, since coughs can arise from various causes (like colds or allergies), it’s important to seek medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent, rather than depending solely on winter melon tea.
Recipe analyzer
- Recipes: Winter Melon Tea Recipe
- Main Ingredients:3
- Servings per recipe:1
- Servings size:2.4 kg
-
Energy (calories)：2892 kcal
-
Protein：15.84 g
-
Fat：3.42 g
Why gray?
-
Carbohydrates：735.42 g
-
Protein: 2%54 kcal
-
Fat: 1%29 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 97%2806 kcal
The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.
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