Kumquat tea is a tasty, tangy drink that when served hot, may help fighting cold or flu symptoms. Addition of limes or honey gives an extra flavour that makes this drink irresistible. Sometimes, herb such as mint, basil, and thyme can also be used.
Kumquat or sometimes spelt with a ‘c’ is a fruit similar to an orange but a lot smaller. Different places call the fruit with different names, and the appearance can vary depending on where the kumquat is found.
For example, kumquats found in the Malayan region are green in colour and have thin peel almost like lime in comparison to those found in China where the kumquats are usually orange in colour. But just like any other citrus fruits, this small itsy-bitsy goodness is packed with nutrition.
Kumquat is a natural alternative in treating colds, coughs and respiratory inflammation. It can help in boosting your immune system and activate immune cells called natural killer cells that fight infections due to its high content of Vitamin C. The fun part of the kumquat is both the seeds and peel are edible, so can definitely eat the fruit whole.
While eating it by its own is fun, turning it into a healthy beverage, serve cold sounds cooler and less chewing involves. While other countries do have their own version of kumquat tea, Vietnam has its very own unique way of making the kumquat tea distinguishably theirs.
You can definitely find kumquat juice mixed with sugar cane or coconut or the more common option honey on the street of Ho Chi Minh City. Check out the recipe down below and try to make your very own homemade kumquat tea Vietnamese style.
Ingredients (4 servings):
- 10 Kumquats
- 1 Litre Water
- ½ cup Sugar
- 30 grams loose Black Tea Leaves or regular tea Lipton tea
Directions:
- Boil 1 litre of water.
- Remove the stalk of the kumquats and wash it with clean water. Cut the kumquat in half and remove all the seeds.
- Soak the tea leaves in the boiled water and set it aside for 10 minutes. Then, filter the tea.
- Place the kumquats together with the sugar in a pot.
- Add the filtered tea into the pot and boil it over medium heat and keep stirring the mixture until the sugar is dissolved.
- Remove from stove ready to be served hot or cold.