Last Updated on January 24, 2021 by Chef Mireille
Chinese Red Dates Pear Immunity Elixir – This herbal fruit tea is full of health benefits to protect you from winter colds.
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Chinese New Year is coming up next week, so let’s explore one of the most popular drinks that help keep the Chinese healthy in the cold winter season. We all want to stay healthy in all seasons right!
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The mountainous regions of northern China get very cold. In most of these Mongolian regions, it hardly ever gets above 40 F. During the winter months, the temperatures are consistently below 0.
One way the people of China stay healthy in these continuous cold temperatures is to drink lots of Chinese Red Dates Pear Elixir. Throughout China, Red Dates Tea or Elixir is consumed for protection against colds and coughs.
Chinese Red Dates
Chinese Dried Red Dates are very different than Mejdool Dates or other sweet dates. They have a bright red color and have a more sour taste.
They come in different sizes. The 1” size was used to make this elixir.
Chinese Red Dates, also known as jujube, have a very high Vitamin C content. This Vitamin C offers protection against the common cold. Jujube also has many other health benefits.
Jujube Health Benefits
- Regulates Blood Pressure
- Regulates Blood Circulation
- Improves Bone Strength
- Prevents Insomnia
- Helps to Relieve Constipation
- Relieves Anxiety
Asian Pear
Asian Pear is also used in this elixir. There are two types of Asian pear. There is a white pear, which is smaller in size. I used the golden pear, which is very large, about the size of a grapefruit.
Pears are a natural expectorant and helps with throat ailments.
Goji Berries
Goji Berries are another Chinese superfood also sometimes included in the elixir, although I did not utilize them in this version. However, feel free to add ¼ cup of goji berries when making the elixir, as you prefer.
From Shanghai to Beijing to Hong Kong, Red Dates Pear Elixir is one of the most common drinks sold in the streets to keep everyone warm and healthy! They are sold in plastic cups to warm your hands while you enjoy this health tonic.
In Hong Kong, the jujube and pear is boiled down to a molasses like consistency called Qiuligao. Qiuligao is then diluted with boiling water to make the herbal elixir.
This ancient recipe dates back to the Tang Dynasty, where they already knew the health benefits of red dates and pear.
Before we get to today’s recipe, let’s check out some related beverages. Not only is this elixir a healthy recipe to keep you warm in the winter months, but is is also a great addition to any Chinese New Year Menu, since the Lunar Festival happens in the heart of winter.
However, I do have a few other Asian inspired drinks that you can include as part of your Chinese New Year Menu.
Chinese New Year Beverages
- Malaysian Coconut Corn Smoothie
- Javanese Rose Dawet
So let’s check the ingredients to add to this week’s shopping list!
Ingredients
- red dates
- 1 Asian pear
- few slices of ginger
- rock sugar
- goji berries
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Drink a cup of this tea daily to boost your immune system!
It is so simple to make. You just boil a few ingredients together.
You can then enjoy it with the fruit or strain it, as you prefer.
Chinese Red Dates Pear Elixir
Ingredients
- 10 red dates
- 1 Asian pear cored and sliced
- few slices of ginger
- 8 cups water
- 2 1/2 tablespoons rock sugar
- 1/4 cup goji berries optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large pot.
- Bring to a boil and cook on medium heat for 45 minutes.
- Serve with some of the fruit as desired or strain and serve just the elixir.
Nutrition
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Simple to make yet so healthy and delicious drink. Loved reading about health benefits of each ingredient.
Yes I think it always cool to discover natural healing foods. Much better than taking in drugs and chemicals right!
That’s such an interesting drink with so many health benefits. Thanks for sharing Mir.. hats off to your knowledge.
Thank you. Yes next time you have a cold, I definitely suggest making this herbal elixir.
I work in a Chinese Bank where we get office lunch. We get this dish in office lunch during winters. I never thought of trying it at home but now will definitely try by following your recipe. Thanks for sharing it.
Interesting recipe..Good to learn about the new things of various regions .
This herbal fruit tea which is full of health benefits sounds really interesting. Found your post really informative. I like the sound of red dates – probably tastier than normal dates.
well as these are dried dates they must be reconstituted to eat, so they are most often used in teas
Good to know about the health benefits of each ingredient that went into this tea.
yes this tea is as healthy as it is delicious!
I didn’t know goji berry is a Chinese ingredient. Herbal tea looks super healthy with all the ingredients that went in. As always, quite an informative post Mir.
Yes goji berries are from China and used a lot there especially in teas. Hope you like the tea when you try it!
This herbal tea is so easy to make and healthy too. I love these dried red dates . I have had them in some Chinese desserts. I would love to try your herbal tea. Thanks for sharing.
Entirely different health drink packed with so much benefits . Never thought of using fruits in a health /herbal drink to ward off cold. Thanks for the recipe
Interesting drink with really easy to find ingredients too. when pear in season will love to try this one.
I am sure you will love it when you do
Such an useful recipe. Loved reading about all the health benefits of different ingredients. I can imagine the fruity flavor lovely taste of this drink because of pear.
yes it is more of a fruit tea so very palate friendly even for kids so delicious
I was surprised that the Chinese have their own variety of dates! This elixir sounds delicious and healthy too. The flavour od the pears in the drink will be awesome.
yes it is very fruity and delicious too
chinese dates is something i m learnt today Mir!!! The elixir looks soothing and warm! Age old traditions are never wrong, i will check whether i can source these dates here! i bet this fruity tea will taste delish too!
I hope you can find them there but I suppose otherwise you can substitute tamarind for a similar taste
that’s a new drink (and ingredient – jujube) for me.. loving the warming spicy drink thats apt for this season
yes it is perfect for cool winter days
Had no idea that jujube is also called red dates. An interesting fruity drink. Every region in the world has its own version of hot drinks to overcome colds and coughs during the cold season. I’m sure this drink must be a bit sour and sweet.
yes it is a dried red date
I’ve been living in China for over seven years, and has this tea only recently while at a vegan hot pot. It was so delicious that I checked the Internet to find the recipe which led me to your website.
I did show the ingredients to my Chinese girlfriend who agreed! While the tea at the restaurant contained no ginger, I was more than happy to add some to this recipe. It turned out way better than at the restaurant!!! It says for eight people, but I downed the whole thing in no time as it’s so flavorful and healthy.
One question though, if I make a big batch, how shall I reheat? On the stove?
Thank you for sharing this recipe! Will often drink this even during warmer days!
Yes, I usually reheat on the stove.
Thank you 🙏