霊芝薬膳茶｜Reishi Herbal Tea

Herbal tea made with reishi mushrooms from Yilan, jujubes from Miaoli, and chrysanthemums, which are mentioned in traditional Chinese medicine for their benefits in replenishing Qi and blood—these ingredients specifically—can help keep your body warm during the cold winter months. All ingredients—reishi, jujubes, and chrysanthemums—are organically grown, and we hope you will enjoy this carefully crafted herbal tea.

Reishi, known as the "sacred mushroom," has been prized in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, with records dating back to 200 B.C. It is famous for its legendary association with longevity and is recognized today for its tonic properties. Cultivated artificially, reishi is used in traditional Chinese medicine and health supplements. Wild reishi grows in humid forests, and Yilan's high humidity provides an ideal environment for reishi and other mushrooms. Known for its warming properties, reishi is also thought to have anti-cancer potential, boost the immune system, and reduce fatigue. The β-D-glucan in reishi is believed to enhance immunity, making it beneficial for bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, hives, and allergic rhinitis.

Taiwanese jujubes can only be grown in Gongguan, a town in Miaoli. Unlike reishi, jujubes prefer a dry environment, which is found in northwestern Taiwan. Miaoli's soil is particularly suitable for jujube cultivation. Miaoli is also Taiwan's largest producer of edible chrysanthemums. Jujubes are believed to have blood-nourishing effects, while chrysanthemums are known to be good for tired eyes. Taiwanese jujubes are smaller than their Chinese counterparts and are harvested every summer.

How to Make Reishi Tea
To quickly extract nutrients and flavor, chop reishi and jujubes into small pieces with kitchen scissors. Boil with 250 ml of water over low heat for about 10 minutes. The bitterness of reishi is balanced by the sweetness of jujubes. For those who find the bitterness off-putting, adding brown sugar can make the tea warm, sweet, and easy to drink. After boiling, transfer to a lidded bowl, add chrysanthemum flowers, cover, and steep for 3 minutes.

Reishi and Mushroom Herbal Chicken Soup
Taiwanese people love herbal chicken soup and often cook reishi with dried shiitake mushrooms and chicken to replenish Qi and boost immunity during winter.

Reishi's bitterness and mild cocoa-like aroma have made it popular in recent years as an addition to coffee and hot chocolate in Western countries and as a caffeine-free herbal chai in China.

How to Make Reishi Chai
1. Chop reishi into small pieces with kitchen scissors, add 200 ml of water, bring to a boil, cover, and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.
3. Stir in 150 ml of milk.
4. Once boiling, remove from heat, add chrysanthemum flowers, cover, and steep for 3 minutes.