Korean Goji Berry Tea (Herbal Jujube Ginger Brew)

Quick answer

Total time: 25 min
Level: Easy
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients: 6

About this dish

Gugija-cha is a Korean herbal tea made by gently simmering dried goji berries, jujubes, and fresh ginger in water.

The jujubes and ginger go in first and cook for fifteen minutes, slowly giving the liquid the jujube's quiet sweetness and the ginger's warming sharpness. The goji berries are then added for just five minutes over low heat so their red pigment and mild berry aroma steep into the tea without releasing the bitterness that comes from overcooking. Getting the timing right matters, because boiling the berries too long draws out an astringency that overpowers the rest of the flavors. Honey is stirred in after the heat is off to preserve its delicate fragrance, and a scattering of pine nuts floats on top to layer a soft, oily richness over the clean finish of the tea. The deep red color and gentle sweetness make this a tea that fits any season.

Ingredients

servings

IngredientAmountUnit

dried goji berries20 gg

dried jujube4 eaea

fresh ginger10 gg

water700 mlml

honey1 tbsptbsp

pine nuts1 tsptsp

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Instructions

Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.

6 steps

1

Control

Place 20 g dried goji berries and 4 dried jujubes in a fine strainer.

Rinse briefly under cold running water to remove dust, but do not soak them, because soaking can wash away aroma before simmering.
2

Control

Scrub 10 g fresh ginger clean and slice it thinly and evenly.

Keeping the slices similar in thickness helps the ginger release its sharp warmth steadily during the 15 minute first simmer.
3

Control

Add 700 ml water, the rinsed jujubes, and the sliced ginger to a pot.

Heat over high heat until steam rises and bubbles form around the edge, then reduce to medium heat before the boil becomes too rough.
4

Control

Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes to draw out the jujube sweetness and ginger aroma first.

If the liquid reduces too aggressively or the bubbles hit hard, lower the heat slightly to keep the brew clear.
5

Control

Add the 20 g goji berries and reduce the heat to low.

Steep for only 5 minutes, until the tea turns red and the berries look plump, because longer boiling can pull bitterness from the berries.
6

Finish

Turn off the heat, then stir in 1 tablespoon honey so its fragrance is not dulled by boiling.

Pour the tea into cups, float 1 teaspoon pine nuts on top, and serve it warm.

Practical Cooking Checks

The cues that matter most while cooking.

Key technique: Goji berries and jujubes simmer together to extract a naturally sweet, red herbal infusion.
Finish cue: Turn off the heat, then stir in 1 tablespoon honey so its fragrance is not dulled by boiling.
Avoid this: Rinse briefly under cold running water to remove dust, but do not soak them, because soaking can wash away aroma before simmering.