Red Date - Jujube Fruit Tea

Asian Red dates belong to the Rhamnaceae - Buckthorn family and are also known as Ziziphus jujuba. Jujube dates are a nutraceutical Super Fruit & contain more Vitamin C than oranges and kiwis.

Red date tea (also known as Jujube tea or Hong Zao tea) is a popular, caffeine-free Chinese herbal drink often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its nourishing properties

Cinnamon bark : Often added for flavorful antioxidant circulation through the body.

Ginger root : Adds warmth and complements the flavor.

Goji berry : aka Wolfberries added for flavor balance & more antioxidants.

Jujube, also known as Korean Dates, are an essential TEA ingredient for any cold day. The taste is reminiscent of mild Chai, apple cider, pecan pie and caramel put together.

Benefits of Jujube - Red Date Tea according to Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine:

• Tonifies Qi - the circulating life force
• Supports fatigue & depletion
• Helps pale or dull complexion regain color
• Nourishes gently over time
• Suitable for long term use
• Nourishes 
• Supports stomach & spleen
• Harmonizes Digestion
• Supports digestion & absorption 
• Gently calms the Shen - Spirit, Mind, or Consciousness - when unsettled from deficiency (healthy Shen manifests as calmness & radiant energy, whereas disturbances lead to insomnia, anxiety, or dull eyes, affecting mental and spiritual well-being) 
• Replenishes without creating internal heat
• As Qi & blood build, circulation may improve the complexion: becomes naturally rosy
• Red Date Tea is a nourishment not a stimulant
• 1 or 2 mugs can be drank daily as a Qi TONIC

There are several ways to prepare Red Date - Jujube Tea - Choose what works best for you~ Start with fewer dates for a lighter tea, and increase if you want it sweeter and more potent, adjusting to your taste.

Use: 6-8 Red Dates & 4 cups of water for stove top method.

• Use a small paring knife to create few slits in the dates. OR slice dates. This helps to release flavor to the tea. 

• Place the red dates in a small saucepan.

• Pour in water. Bring to a boil & turn heat to medium low, cover & gently simmer for 30 minutes.

• In the last 10 minutes of simmering add 1 TSP Ginger, 1 TBSP Goji berries, 1/2 TSP Cinnamon bark. 

• The longer simmered the sweeter tea will be.

• Strain out herbs & drink while hot.

• Eat the plumped up Red Dates & Goji berries - mind the pit.

Alternatively, you can put 5-6 Red Dates (use paring knife to create a few slits in dates) into a thermos with your Ginger, Goji berries, Cinnamon bark & fill thermos with boiling water - put lid on & let steep over night. Strain & drink tea hot - eat the plumped Red Dates with breakfast - mind the pits.

QUICK steep method - To brew in a big mug as a WEAKER version of this tea:

Use 3-4 Red Dates - use a paring knife to make a few slits in dates - Place the red dates & a pinch of dried Ginger a few Goji berries, a few Cinnamon bark pieces & add hot boiling water - cover & steep for 5 minutes. You can refill the mug with boiling water to re-steep several times - Don’t forget you can eat the red dates at the end (watch out for seeds in the red dates).

HOW TO PREPARE Jujube - Red Date Tea AHEAD:
You can make Red Date Tea in a bigger batch for consumption up to one week. The Tea can be kept in the refrigerator.  Reheat the tea instead of drinking cold.

Ingredients: Organic: Red Dates (sulfur free), Goji berry, Ginger root, Cinnamon bark ~ ingredients separately packaged for personal brewing preferences. 

This is a healthy size bag - convenient 'all ingredients' with approx.

20-30 mug sized servings depending on brewing method used.  

Red Date / Jujube Fruit Tea is not suitable for use during pregnancy.

NOTE:

IF you do not need the warming benefits of Red Date herbal medicine - slice dates and carefully remove pits before brewing.

Research advances on jujube fruit health functions:

Research advances in bioactive components and health benefits of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit - Many studies have shown that bioactive components derived from jujube fruit have significant nutritional and potential biological effects. - Neuroprotection, Neuroprotection, Immunoregulatory activity, Anti-inflammatory activity, Antioxidant activity, Anticancer activity, Anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. 

Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8214949/