Winter melon tea is a refreshing and traditional drink, perfect for hot summer days.
It’s a great alternative to sugary sodas, and the subtle flavors of winter melon are sure to satisfy. Follow my step by step recipe to make it.
Ingredients:
- 500g winter melon
- 100g brown sugar
- 50g rock sugar
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Winter Melon
- Clean and peel: Wash the winter melon thoroughly and peel off the outer skin using a vegetable peeler. Make sure to remove all the skin, leaving only the white flesh.
- Remove seeds and pulp: Use a spoon or knife to remove the seeds and the soft inner pulp. Removing the pulp ensures the tea will have a smoother and purer flavor.
- Cut into cubes: Slice the prepared winter melon into small cubes, approximately 1 to 1.5 cm in size. Evenly sized cubes will help the melon marinate and cook evenly.
Step 2: Marinate the Winter Melon
- Mix with sugar: In a large, clean bowl, combine the cubed winter melon with 100g of brown sugar and 50g of rock sugar. Stir well to coat each piece of melon with sugar.
- Rest: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and let it rest at room temperature for 1 hour. The winter melon will release its natural juices, creating a sweet syrup that will form the base of the tea.
Step 3: Cook the Winter Melon
- Transfer to a pot: After marinating, pour the winter melon along with its syrup into a thick-bottomed pot. The syrupy water released from the winter melon is key to the flavor of the tea.
- Simmer on low heat: Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. As the winter melon cooks, it will gradually turn translucent.
- Cook for 1 hour: Continue simmering the winter melon for about 1 hour, until it has softened completely and turned fully translucent. This slow cooking allows the melon to release more flavor into the tea, and the liquid will become slightly thicker as the sugars dissolve.
Step 4: Strain the Tea
- Strain the mixture: Once the winter melon is fully cooked and translucent, remove the pot from the heat. Use a fine-mesh strainer or sieve to strain the liquid, pressing down gently on the cooked melon to extract all the tea.
- Store: Pour the strained tea into a clean jar or bottle. If not serving immediately, seal the container and store it in a cool place, or refrigerate it for up to 3-5 days.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
- Serve cold: To enjoy as an iced tea, pour the winter melon tea into a glass over ice and stir well. This method is especially refreshing on hot days.
- Mix with oolong tea: For a richer tea experience, brew a cup of oolong tea and mix it with winter melon tea. Adjust the ratio to your taste, typically 1:1 or 1:2 (winter melon tea to oolong tea).
Tips:
- Ensure all ingredients and utensils are clean to prevent bacterial growth and maintain the quality of the tea.
- Cook on low heat, stirring constantly, to evenly cook the melon and avoid burning. Low heat also helps preserve nutrients and intensify the tea’s flavor.
- Adjust the sugar to your taste. If you prefer a sweeter tea, increase the sugar slightly. If you prefer a lighter taste, reduce the sugar, but don’t reduce it too much as it helps with the marination and preservation.
- If not consuming immediately, store the tea in the fridge and drink within 3-5 days to ensure freshness.
- When pairing with oolong tea, ensure proper brewing techniques. Oolong tea is best brewed at 80-90°C to enhance its flavor, and the steeping time should be balanced to avoid overly strong or weak tea.
Winter Melon Tea Recipe
Winter melon tea is a refreshing and traditional drink, perfect for hot summer days.It's a great alternative to sugary sodas, and the subtle flavors of winter melon are sure to satisfy. Follow my step by step recipe to make it.
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Servings: 8
Calories: 72kcal
Ingredients
- 500 g winter melon
- 100 g brown sugar
- 50 g rock sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Winter Melon
- Clean and peel: Wash the winter melon thoroughly and peel off the outer skin using a vegetable peeler. Make sure to remove all the skin, leaving only the white flesh.
- Remove seeds and pulp: Use a spoon or knife to remove the seeds and the soft inner pulp. Removing the pulp ensures the tea will have a smoother and purer flavor.
- Cut into cubes: Slice the prepared winter melon into small cubes, approximately 1 to 1.5 cm in size. Evenly sized cubes will help the melon marinate and cook evenly.
Step 2: Marinate the Winter Melon
- Mix with sugar: In a large, clean bowl, combine the cubed winter melon with 100g of brown sugar and 50g of rock sugar. Stir well to coat each piece of melon with sugar.
- Rest: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and let it rest at room temperature for 1 hour. The winter melon will release its natural juices, creating a sweet syrup that will form the base of the tea.
Step 3: Cook the Winter Melon
- Transfer to a pot: After marinating, pour the winter melon along with its syrup into a thick-bottomed pot. The syrupy water released from the winter melon is key to the flavor of the tea.
- Simmer on low heat: Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. As the winter melon cooks, it will gradually turn translucent.
- Cook for 1 hour: Continue simmering the winter melon for about 1 hour, until it has softened completely and turned fully translucent. This slow cooking allows the melon to release more flavor into the tea, and the liquid will become slightly thicker as the sugars dissolve.
Step 4: Strain the Tea
- Strain the mixture: Once the winter melon is fully cooked and translucent, remove the pot from the heat. Use a fine-mesh strainer or sieve to strain the liquid, pressing down gently on the cooked melon to extract all the tea.
- Store: Pour the strained tea into a clean jar or bottle. If not serving immediately, seal the container and store it in a cool place, or refrigerate it for up to 3-5 days.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
- Serve cold: To enjoy as an iced tea, pour the winter melon tea into a glass over ice and stir well. This method is especially refreshing on hot days.
- Mix with oolong tea: For a richer tea experience, brew a cup of oolong tea and mix it with winter melon tea. Adjust the ratio to your taste, typically 1:1 or 1:2 (winter melon tea to oolong tea).
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Do you make this recipe? I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @yumofchina.
Nutrition
Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 17mg | Sugar: 18g | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
