Recipe: Garland Chrysanthemum tea
Tea fit for an emperor
A high tea stands or falls by a good cup of tea. an attractive cup with a golden trim, your little finger crooked and sultry aromas that rise up out of the cup into your nose. This recipe for a garland Chrysanthemum tea will soon make ‘tea for two’ a daily afternoon ritual.
What you will need:
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2 tbsp (10 g) dried Chrysanthemums*
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1 small tbsp dried green tea leaves
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1 tbsp dried pear pieces (or apple/date/apricots pieces)
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6 cardamom pods, crushed
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3 star anise
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1 litre water
How to make
Heat a pan with 1 litre of water and all the ingredients slowly for 15 minutes, just off the boil. Remove from the heat and leave to steep for 5 minutes.
Pour through a sieve into 4 mugs or a thermos flask. Garnish with fresh chrysanthemum* petals.
Add extra dried pear pieces to taste for natural sweetness. Add elderberry cordial for an extra floral effect.
* Dried and fresh chrysanthemums can most easily be obtained in September/October from the Chinese supermarket. Check with the store that the chrysanthemums are edible!
