Enjoying chrysanthemum tea in Hanoi’s autumn days

Hanoi becomes romantic and beautiful than ever when Autumn comes. However, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, people in the capital city have to practice social distancing under the directives of the Prime Minister. By August 30, the city has documented a total of 3,159 cases since the fourth coronavirus wave struck the country in late April. The city has been under social distancing state since July 24 to curb the spread of the pandemic. In spite of this, people can feel the autumn atmosphere when staying at home and drinking chrysanthemum tea made from a typical flower of the northern region. (Photo: Mai Mai/ Vietnam+)

Chrysanthemums are flowering plants native to East Asia. These edible flowers are often used as a garden decoration and natural pest control, but they also have culinary applications. Yellow or white chrysanthemum flowers can be boiled to make an herbal tea with a range of health benefits. You can make chrysanthemum tea at home, or buy it in supermarkets and health food stores. But in Vietnam, the most common is using dried chrysanthemum flowers and then braking with water, and especially marinating with tea to produce delicious, healthy chrysanthemum tea. Chrysanthemums chosen to make tea are usually white or yellow ones with small size and are picked in the fall when newly bloomed (Photo: Mai Mai/ Vietnam+)

Different kinds of chrysanthemum flowers will give the tea different flavours. After being collected, the flowers are cleaned, dried and put into a jar together with tea. Chrysanthemum tea is said to have host of health benefits. It may help you reduce inflammation, serve as a good source of vitamins A and C, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in chrysanthemum tea can provide important health benefits. For example, potassium helps the heart, kidneys, and other organs function properly. Adequate levels of potassium in the body reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, cancer, digestive disorders, and infertility. (Photo: Mai Mai/ Vietnam+)

The tea is selected is ancient red tea grown in Ha Giang mountainous province. The tea is marinated with yellow daisies grown at home garden. Chrysanthemum tea is also rich in iron, which is important for growth and development and helps to carry oxygen through the blood. In addition, chrysanthemum tea can provide other health benefits like: blood pressure management, hangover remedy, treatment for lice and antibacterial effects. Chrysanthemum tea is often found in the herbal tea section at many grocery and health food stores. It is sometimes available canned or bottled which may contain added sugars, so it’s good to check the nutritional information if you’re buying a ready-made product. (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+)

The yellow colour of the dried chrysanthemum flower combining with the brown of the tea creates a fresh flovour.
The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in chrysanthemum tea can provide important health benefits. For example, potassium helps the heart, kidneys, and other organs function properly. Adequate levels of potassium in the body reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, cancer, digestive disorders, and infertility. Chrysanthemum tea is also rich in iron, which is important for growth and development and helps to carry oxygen through the blood. Chrysanthemum tea is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent, and it helps in treating conditions that involve inflammation of muscles and nerves. (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+)

The tea is prepared by steeping dried chrysanthemum flowers in hot water. The resulting drink is transparent and ranges from pale to bright yellow in color, with a floral aroma. There are several varieties of chrysanthemum tea, which have different uses and benefits. Chrysanthemum tea can be prepared easily at home, so if you are looking to change your tea brand and want to try something new, chrysanthemum tea is your go-to beverage. You can also boost your metabolism by drinking chrysanthemum tea, add this special drink to your weight loss problem. However, Chrysanthemum tea may cause allergies such as skin rashes and fever in certain people. (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+)

The tea is prepared by steeping dried chrysanthemum flowers in hot water of about 90 degree Celsius. Wait for about 30-40 seconds. The flavours of the tea and flowers are mixed together, creating a special taste for drinkers. All chrysanthemum flowers are edible, but the flavor varies widely from plant to plant, from sweet to tangy to bitter or peppery. Chrysanthemum grows best in full sunlight and in moist, rich, well-drained soil. Chrysanthemum tea is an extremely potent herbal tea. It is a good source of Vitamin B, and Vitamin C, as well as minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Chrysanthemum tea can be prepared easily at home. (Phot Mai Mai/Vietnam+)

Hanoi becomes romantic and beautiful than ever when Autumn comes. However, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, people in the capital city have to practice social distancing under the directives of the Prime Minister. By August 30, the city has documented a total of 3,159 cases since the fourth coronavirus wave struck the country in late April. The city has been under social distancing state since July 24 to curb the spread of the pandemic. Drinking chrysanthemum tea during days of social distancing helps people relax. Chrysanthemums chosen to make tea are usually white or yellow ones with small size and are picked in the fall when newly bloomed. (Phot Mai Mai/Vietnam+)

Definitely, don’t forget to enjoy the tea with a piece of mooncake. Mooncake is a small, round pastry stuffed with either sweet or savoury filling. There are many different variations of the mooncake, depending on where in Asia you’re from – the only common element being the symbolism of the moon. Some bakeries stuff up to four salted egg yolks into a single mooncake, because the more moons you have, the more plentiful the bounty for the receiver. You’ll also see red bean paste, mung bean paste, sesame paste and a five-seed mix in some mooncakes, although they’re not as easy to find.

Chrysanthemum tea is a flower-based infusion beverage made from chrysanthemum flowers of the species Chrysanthemum morifolium or Chrysanthemum indicum, which are popular in East Asia.The tea is prepared by steeping dried chrysanthemum flowers in hot water of about 90 degree Celsius. The resulting drink is transparent and ranges from pale to bright yellow in color, with a floral aroma. There are several varieties of chrysanthemum tea, which have different uses and benefits. Chrysanthemum tea can be prepared easily at home, so if you are looking to change your tea brand and want to try something new, chrysanthemum tea is your go-to beverage. (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+)

Chrysanthemum tea is an extremely potent herbal tea. It is a good source of Vitamin B, and Vitamin C, as well as minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Chrysanthemum tea also has adenine, amino acids and glycosides. Chrysanthemum tea has high amounts of B carotene which is converted into Vitamin A in the liver. However, Chrysanthemum tea may cause allergies such as skin rashes and fever in certain people. Chrysanthemum tea may also cause side effect of dermatitis in some people where they get red, itchy patches on their skin. This occurs mainly due to some chemical component in the plant that irritates the skin and may also be because of the individual is allergic to the plant. (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+)