Korean Goji Berry Tea (Herbal Jujube Ginger Brew)
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 to infuse the liquid with the jujube's subtle sweetness and ginger's warm bite, then the goji berries are added for just five minutes on low heat so their red pigment and mild berry aroma steep into the tea without turning bitter from overcooking. Timing is important because extended boiling extracts an unpleasant astringency from the berries. Honey is stirred in after the heat is off to preserve its fragrance, and floating pine nuts add a soft, oily richness to the clean-tasting tea.
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Instructions
- 1
Rinse the goji berries and jujube quickly under running water.
- 2
Slice the ginger thinly.
- 3
Boil water with jujube and ginger for 15 minutes.
- 4
Add goji berries and simmer for 5 more minutes.
- 5
Turn off heat, stir in honey, and garnish with pine nuts.
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