Brewing Chrysanthemum Tea: Your Guide to Health and Flavor

The chrysanthemum is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family and Chrysanthemum genus. It is one of the top ten famous flowers in China, one of the four gentlemen of flowers (plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum), and one of the world’s four major cut flowers (chrysanthemum, rose, carnation, iris). It has high ornamental, edible, and medicinal value.

What is a Chrysanthemum?

Chrysanthemum (in Pinyin, it’s spelled jú huā) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family and Chrysanthemum genus. It is characterized by a long blooming period, variety of species, wide applications, and vibrant colors. It is cultivated in all provinces of China.

Types of Chrysanthemums

There are various types of chrysanthemums. Based on color, they can be categorized into yellow, white, pink chrysanthemums, etc. According to blooming period, they can be divided into summer, autumn, and winter chrysanthemums.

Based on petal shape, they can be classified into flat, spoon, tube, and quill types. Furthermore, they can be categorized according to their stem, leaf shape, and cultivation methods.

Chrysanthemum Benefits

What are the benefits of drinking chrysanthemum tea?

Chrysanthemum tea has many health benefits. Moderate consumption of chrysanthemum tea can help clear heat and detoxify. Additionally, it can reduce blood pressure and alleviate throat discomfort.

Medicinal Properties and Effects of Chrysanthemums

In traditional Chinese medicine, chrysanthemums are bitter and sweet in taste, and slightly cool in nature. They pertain to the lung and liver meridians.

According to the Chinese Materia Medica “Compendium of Materia Medica”, it has the effects of dispersing wind, clearing heat, calming the liver, and improving vision.

Which type of chrysanthemum is best for tea?

There are many types of chrysanthemums suitable for making tea, including Hangzhou white chrysanthemum, fetal chrysanthemum, tribute chrysanthemum, and wild chrysanthemum.

When choosing, you should pay attention not only to the variety of chrysanthemum but also to its quality. So, how to judge the quality of chrysanthemums?

First, check if the color is uniform, then smell it to see if it has a fresh floral scent. Finally, pinch it. Poor-quality dried chrysanthemums will crumble easily, while good-quality dried chrysanthemums are relatively softer and smoother.