Heartwarming Jujube Tea, Made with Care
Seasonal Health Booster! Easy & Quick Homemade Jujube Tea Recipe Using a Pressure Cooker
Jujubes (also known as Chinese dates) are sensitive to moisture, so it’s best to store them in a dry place. I always stock up on jujubes in the fall and make a large batch of jujube tea twice a year, in autumn and spring. By freezing the jujubes, I can enjoy freshly brewed tea whenever the seasons change. This tea is wonderfully warming and helps improve blood circulation, making it perfect for the transitional seasons. My husband, who is very health-conscious, drinks this tea frequently. While it’s incredibly beneficial, it’s also quite sweet, so it’s best to enjoy it in moderation – about one warm cup a day is ideal.
Ingredients- 950g Dried Jujubes
- 1 piece Ginger (approx. 30-40g)
- 6 liters Water (6000ml)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Take the dried jujubes out from the freezer. Storing them in airtight containers or zip-top bags makes it convenient to use them as needed.
Step 2
Transfer the thawed jujubes to a large basin. I received this large basin, which I’ve been using for nearly 20 years, as a gift when opening a rice cake shop. It has drainage holes, making it perfect for washing vegetables like jujubes.
Step 3
First, rinse the jujubes once under running water to remove any surface dust or debris. After rinsing, place them in a colander to drain briefly.
Step 4
Fill the basin with clean water again and add the rinsed jujubes. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of baking soda evenly over the top. Baking soda can help remove residual pesticides from fruits and vegetables.
Step 5
Gently swirl or rub the jujubes with your hands to mix them with the baking soda solution. After washing like this for about 1-2 minutes, rinse them again under running water, drain in a colander, and repeat this process 2-3 times to ensure the jujubes are thoroughly cleaned.
Step 6
After washing, place the jujubes in a colander and drain them as much as possible. Less residual water will shorten the cooking time.
Step 7
Add all the drained jujubes to the pressure cooker. Pour in the prepared 6 liters of water. This quantity is suitable for a large enough pressure cooker.
Step 8
Peel the piece of ginger, slice it thinly, and add it to the pressure cooker along with the jujubes. Ginger helps to balance any cloying sweetness from the jujubes and adds a wonderful aroma.
Step 9
Close the pressure cooker lid securely and place it on high heat on the stove. Once the pressure cooker’s whistle starts to blow (steam begins to escape), reduce the heat to low and simmer for another 10 minutes. Then, turn off the heat and let it depressurize naturally. This process ensures the jujubes’ flavor and nutrients are fully extracted.
Step 10
Once the pressure has completely released, carefully open the lid. The tea may appear foamy or whitish on top due to the saponins in the jujubes; this is a natural occurrence and nothing to worry about.
Step 11
Now, for the mashing process. You can remove the jujubes to mash them separately, but to minimize dishes, I mash them directly in the pressure cooker. Place a sieve that fits into the pressure cooker over it. Use a ladle to scoop out the cooked jujubes a little at a time, place them in the sieve, and mash them.
Step 12
As you mash, the pulp of the jujubes will pass through the sieve into the cooking liquid, while the seeds and skins will remain in the sieve. Discard the seeds and skins left in the sieve.
Step 13
If the jujube pulp becomes too thick or sticky in the cooking liquid, it might be difficult to push through the sieve. In such cases, add a little bit of fresh water while mashing to make the process easier. It might take a bit of effort to extract all the pulp smoothly.
Step 14
This is the finished jujube tea, made by infusing the cooked jujube pulp into the boiling liquid. It has a rich flavor and a delightful jujube aroma, radiating healthy energy.
Step 15
Pour the finished jujube tea into clean bottles or containers and store them in the refrigerator (a kimchi refrigerator is ideal, but a regular one works too). When ready to drink, pour a serving into a cup, warm it up, and enjoy. It’s a wonderful way to stay healthy during the changing seasons.
