Korean Ssanghwa Herbal Tea
Ssanghwa-cha is a traditional Korean tonic tea made by slow-simmering astragalus root, angelica root, cinnamon, licorice, and jujube in water for over 50 minutes. The prolonged extraction draws out layered flavors from each herb, producing a brew that is simultaneously bitter, sweet, and warmly aromatic with cinnamon at its core. Honey is stirred in after straining to adjust sweetness, and the tea is served hot with a scattering of pine nuts that release their mild, oily fragrance on contact with the surface. The jujubes soften the sharper herbal edges while preserving the deep, lingering medicinal character of the drink.
Adjust Servings
Instructions
- 1
Rinse herbal ingredients briefly under running water.
- 2
Combine water, herbs, and jujube in a pot and bring to a boil.
- 3
Reduce to low heat and simmer gently for 50 minutes.
- 4
Strain and dissolve honey into the tea.
- 5
Serve warm and top with pine nuts.
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Nutrition (per serving)
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