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Tag: goji berries

  • Goji Berry, Red Date and Chinese Yam Tea

    Goji Berry, Red Date and Chinese Yam Tea

    This simple three-ingredient herbal tea has been part of my own routine for years, including through my pregnancies, with my doctor’s okay. Made with goji berries, Chinese red dates, and Chinese yam, it is warming and naturally sweet, and I drink it most days.

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    tea with goji berries and red dates

    This recipe came to me from my own Chinese medicine doctor. I drank it during and after my pregnancies, and these days I carry a full liter with me and sip it instead of coffee. That’s just my routine and what worked for me, not advice for anyone else.

    goji berry and red date tea

    Why This Tea Is Amazing

    • My coffee swap: When I’d usually reach for a coffee, I make this instead.
    • Not just for me: My husband drinks it too.

    Important: Always consult your doctor or midwife before adding any herbal preparation to your routine during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if you take any medication, including blood thinners.

    Ingredients

    Goji Berries

    • Why they matter: The flavor is mild and slightly sweet — like a gentle raisin. A small handful is plenty; too many can overpower the tea.

    Buy dried goji berries at any Asian grocery store or online: organic dried goji berries are easy to keep on hand for daily use.

    Chinese Red Dates (Jujube / Hong Zao)

    • Why they matter: They provide natural sweetness to the tea — no added sugar needed.

    Look for them at Chinese medicine shops or Asian grocery stores. You can also find them on Amazon: dried Chinese red dates are available in resealable bags.

    Chinese Yam (Shan Yao / Rhizoma Dioscoreae)

    • Why it matters: The taste is neutral — almost imperceptible — which is exactly what you want in a tea you plan to drink every day.

    Find it dried at Chinese medicine stores or online: dried Chinese yam (Shan Yao Huai Shan) is widely available.

    Rooted in tradition: These ingredients have been used in Chinese home cooking and traditional remedies for centuries.

    goji berry date tea served in glass jar

    How to Serve and Store

    I always recommend drinking this tea warm, never cold. Warm drinks are the tradition in Chinese medicine.

    The longer the herbs steep in the bottle, the more flavor they release. That golden color deepens beautifully over the course of the day. I love using a 1L glass jar — it is large enough to hold a full day’s worth and elegant enough to bring anywhere.

    Sweetener Options

    I do not add sugar — the Chinese red dates provide enough natural sweetness. If you prefer a sweeter tea, add raw honey after brewing (never during boiling). A honey varietal set is a great way to explore different flavor profiles.

    Where to Buy the Ingredients

    Your best source is a Chinese medicine shop or Asian grocery store — the ingredients are common and affordable. If you do not have one nearby, all three herbs are available online. The links above connect you directly to reputable options.

    ***DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor nor a healthcare provider. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor or midwife before making any changes to your diet during pregnancy.***

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I drink this tea while pregnant?

    Every pregnancy is different. Please consult your doctor or midwife before adding any herbal preparation to your routine.

    Can men and non-pregnant women drink this tea?

    Yes. My husband drinks it regularly.

    How long can I store this tea?

    Brewed and stored in a sealed glass jar in the fridge, this tea keeps for 2–3 days. I prefer to brew a fresh liter daily and carry it through the day warm in a thermos.

    Can I add other herbs to this tea?

    Yes. Common additions in Chinese medicine include dried longan fruit, lotus seeds, and wolfberry leaves. Start with the base recipe and experiment from there.

    Does the tea taste bitter?

    Not at all. The red dates provide gentle sweetness, the goji berries add a mild fruity note, and the Chinese yam is essentially tasteless. The overall flavor is light, slightly sweet, and warming — nothing like a bitter herbal medicine.

    Can I use a loose-leaf tea infuser for this?

    You can use a tea infuser to hold the ingredients if you prefer not to strain at the end, though the traditional method is simply to simmer everything loose in the pot and ladle it into your jar — the herbs sink to the bottom on their own.

    A person holding a glass bottle of goji berry and red date tea

    Goji Berry, Red Date and Chinese Yam Tea

    A warm tea of goji berries, Chinese red dates and Chinese yam, simmered for 10 minutes and sipped through the day.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Servings: 1 litre
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Chinese
    Calories: 30
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 10-15 dried goji berries
    • 2 dried Chinese yam
    • 2-3 dried Chinese red dates
    • 1 litre of filtered water

    Method
     

    1. Give the goji berries, Chinese yam and red dates a rinse in cold water.
    2. Bring a pot and boil the 1 litre of water. Add the ingredients into the water in medium heat. cook for 10 minutes with lid on.
    3. Serve into a heat proof bottle (I recommend glass), and enjoy through out the day. Serve warm.

    Looking for more drinks from my kitchen? Try the Mixed Berry Smoothie with Pomegranate and Nopal or the Celery Juice.

  • Cantonese Steamed Chicken with Goji Berries

    Cantonese Steamed Chicken with Goji Berries

    Three simple ingredients — chicken, goji berries, and black fungus — steamed together until the flavors meld. It is a classical Cantonese dish that has been in Chinese families for generations, and once you taste it you will understand why. Clean and genuinely delicious.

    This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Love & Harvest!

    Steamed chicken with goji berries, carrot and onion in a white bowl

    Goji berries have been in my kitchen for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a Chinese household.

    Goji Berries and Black Fungus

    Goji berries are sweet and mild. When autumn comes, goji berries go straight into the chicken noodle soup.

    The black fungus in this recipe has a satisfying chewy texture that my kids somehow love more than the chicken itself.

    Ingredients

    Goji Berries

    • Why they are essential: In this dish they soften during steaming into tender, subtly sweet morsels that absorb the savory chicken juices — the combination is genuinely beautiful.

    Buy dried goji berries at any Asian supermarket. Online, organic dried goji berries are reliable and easy to keep on hand.

    Chicken Breast (or Any Cut)

    • Why breast works well: It steams quickly, stays moist with the goji berry juices, and keeps this dish clean and light. You can substitute legs, drumsticks, or a mix of cuts — they all work and all come out delicious. The longer cook time for bone-in pieces (around 30–35 minutes) actually intensifies the flavor.

    steamed chicken goji berries with black fungus

    Professional Tips for a No-Fail Dish

    Pro Tip 1 — Steam in a Pot or Instant Pot

    You can use a stovetop bamboo steamer or a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. A bamboo steamer is the traditional tool and imparts a very subtle woody fragrance. For modern convenience, an Instant Pot works equally well: fill with water, place the steamer basket inside, set the dish on top, seal, and steam for 25 minutes on the Steam setting. I have the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 and use it for this dish regularly.

    Pro Tip 2 — Keep the Marinade Simple

    The marinade is just salt and sesame oil. That is all you need. The simplicity is intentional — this dish is about the natural flavors of the chicken and goji berries, not masking them. Sesame oil adds a nutty depth that anchors the whole dish. Toss, let sit 10 minutes, then steam.

    Pro Tip 3 — Skim the Fat

    After steaming you will see a thin layer of chicken fat floating on the surface of the cooking liquid. Skim it off with a slotted spoon before serving. Removing it lets the goji berry sweetness shine through more clearly.

    Pro Tip 4 — Serve Warm, Always

    In Chinese tradition, everything is served warm — not hot, not cold. Serve this with a bowl of plain steamed rice and a cup of hot tea.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

    Chicken breast steamed for 20–25 minutes at medium-high heat will be cooked through. Use a meat thermometer — the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Bone-in pieces may need 30–35 minutes. The flesh should be opaque white throughout with no pink near the bone.

    Can I use fresh goji berries instead of dried?

    Dried goji berries are preferred in this recipe. They rehydrate during steaming and release their flavor into the cooking liquid. Fresh goji berries are rarely available outside of China, but if you find them, use the same quantity.

    What is black fungus and where do I find it?

    Black fungus (wood ear mushroom / Auricularia auricula) is a dried edible mushroom used widely in Chinese cooking. It has a satisfying chewy texture and mild flavor. Find it dried at any Asian supermarket. Soak in warm water for 20 minutes before use.

    Can I make this dish for children?

    Yes. The flavor is gentle, and the goji berries are sweet enough for kids to enjoy. My children love the black fungus in particular.

    Can I add other herbs to the steam?

    Yes. Common additions include Chinese red dates (2–3 pieces), dried longan fruit, and wolfberries. These are the same herbs used in the goji berry, red date and Chinese yam tea.

    Steam Chicken Goji Berries

    Steamed Chicken with Goji Berries

    Easy steamed chicken with goji berries. A classical Cantonese dish.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Chinese
    Calories: 240
    Ingredients Equipment Method

    Ingredients
      

    Chicken Marinate
    • 2 organic chicken breast skinned and cubbed
    • 1 tbsp canola oil
    • 1 tsp sea salt
    • 2 tsp corn starch
    The rest
    • 1 carrot sliced thinly
    • ½ white onion sliced thinly
    • 7-10 dried goji berries
    • 1 tsp sea salt
    • 1 tsp sesame oil
    • 1 tbsp soya sauce

    Equipment

    • steamer / Instant Pot

    Method
     

    To Marinate the Chicken
    1. Combine all the ingredients together well, and set aside to marinate on the counter top for 10-15 minutes.
    Putting Everything Together
    1. Sliced the carrots and onions, and add it with the chicken in the vessel you want to steam the dish in. I suggest a bowl that can hold liquid. After steaming, you'll notice the steam water has dropped some in the bowl and makes a delicious sauce on top.
    2. Add the remaining seasoning: salt and sesame oil. Add the goji berries on top. Mix and combine everything well.
    3. Using a regular steam:
      Wait until the steamer is ready and the water is boiling. Put the dish in and the lid on top. Steam on medium heat for 30-35 minutes.
    4. Using an Instant Pot:
      Set machine to 'Steam' on high heat for 25 minutes. Place the steamer basket and add the dish in. Make sure you use a round high bowl as the regular flat round plates don't fit. You want to have gaps between the bowls so the steam can come up and easy access for you to lift the plate out when it is done. Put the lid on and set to 'Seal'.
    5. When the time is up, you can release the vale. Lift the plate up, and drizzle the soy sauce on top. Serve with white rice.

    If you enjoy Chinese-inspired recipes, explore the Goji Berry, Red Date and Chinese Yam Tea and Steam Preserved Vegetables with Pork.