Does winter melon tea sound strange to you? Winter melon is not only a vegetable, but it is also an ingredient that makes a great drink – winter melon tea.
Introduction
Winter melon tea is a popular Asian beverage made from winter melon. It is favored for its light sweetness and refreshing drinking experience. Besides, it is known for its amazing properties and health benefits. If you wander around the streets of Taiwan, the Philippines, or some Southeast Asian countries, it will be easy to find a winter melon tea shop. Let’s discover this drink with FGC right away!
What is a winter melon?
Winter melon, also called wax gourd or ash gourd, is a large fruit that can be eaten as a vegetable. It is from the gourd family, originated in South and Southeast Asia, and is currently cultivated throughout Asia. When mature, the fruit can reach up to 80 cm in length and weigh several kilograms. The winter melon has a subtle taste with a light note of sweetness, which is somewhat between cucumber and watermelon rind. Unlike many other fruits, winter melon cannot be eaten raw.
Why is it called winter melon? The fruit has thin and dark green skin with a white powder-layer coating, which brings a “frosted” look and may be the reason for its name “winter” melon. Under the skin is a white and crisp flesh and many small seeds. Another interesting explanation for its name comes from its long shelf life. Winter melon season is usually from summer to autumn. However, it can be kept for up to four months to be consumed during colder months, if stored properly.
What is winter melon tea?
Winter melon tea is a drink made from winter melon, popular in many areas of Asia, especially Southeast and East Asian countries. It is renowned for its unique and pleasant taste. Winter melon tea has a smooth sweetness and refreshing flavor, making it favored during hot summer days. Its earthy undertone also adds more depth to the sweetness. Winter melon tea is frequently served cold or iced, enhancing its cooling effects. Traditionally, winter melon tea is made from winter melon flesh cooked with sugar.
What is winter melon tea good for?
The major ingredient of winter melon tea, winter melon, contains many nutrients and health benefits. Winter melon has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries thanks to its amazing benefits.
A rich source of antioxidants
Similar to other fruits in the same family, a winter melon contains 95% water, but it is high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Besides, winter melon is a source of other minerals and vitamins, including zinc, riboflavin, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and so on. Because winter melon contains mostly water, it is a low-calorie fruit.
Improving digestion
The combination of low-calorie, high-fiber, and water contents makes winter melon tea an ideal beverage to promote digestion. A rich source of soluble fiber in winter melons also helps slow digestion and increase feelings of fullness because this fiber can create a gel-like substance in our stomach.
Enhancing weight loss
As winter melon is low in carbs and calories, it is perfect for people on a diet. In addition, its fiber content promotes fullness feelings and limits uncontrolled eating. It is suggested that fiber-rich fruits can gradually lower body weight and calorie intake.
Preventing ulcers and reducing inflammation
Although there is not enough research on humans, winter melon is believed to prevent the appearance of ulcers in the stomach. Flavonoids and carotenes, two antioxidants available in winter lemon, can help defend our bodies against illness and cell damage. It is also suggested that winter melon may assist in reducing inflammation, the cause of many chronic diseases.
Cooling effects
Winter melon tea is refreshing with cooling effects. It can help reduce body heat, especially during hot summer days, making it a great thirst quencher.
Explore more about Winter melon tea’s health benefits:
How to make winter melon tea?
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg of fresh winter melon
- 150g brown sugar
- 150g rock sugar
- 10 pandan leaves
- 3 segments of sugarcane
- 1 monk fruit
- Water
- 2-3 black tea bags (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the ingredients
Winter melon:
- Wash the winter and peel its skin. Cut it in half lengthwise and scoop out all the seeds.
- Then, cut it into small pieces, put them in a large bowl, add brown and rock sugar, and mix well.
- Mix until the winter melon absorbs the sugar and let it marinate for about 1-1.5 hours to release the juice.
Sugarcane segments: Wash and split them into 4 pieces. Then, use a pestle to pound them.
Monk fruit: Separate it into small pieces.
Pandan leaves: Remove the damaged leaves, wash them, and tie them into small bundles.
Tea base (optional): Brew 2-3 black tea bags in hot water and let it steep for about 7-10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and allow the liquor to cool.
Step 2: Making the winter melon tea
- Add water to the winter melon and sugar mixture, bring it to a heat, and simmer over low heat for about 1 hour.
- Add pounded sugarcane, monk fruit, pandan leaves, and a little salt to the blending. Add more water if needed. When it boils, turn the heat to medium and cook for about 30-40 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, remove all the ingredients, and squeeze them to get the liquor.
- Allow the tea to cool.
You can add ice to enjoy immediately or mix the liquor with a tea base to enhance the flavor profile and make the drink caffeinated.
In addition, if you are too busy to make winter melon tea at home, pre-made winter melon tea products are the perfect choice. Understanding the customers’ needs, FGC has launched instant and ready-to-drink winter melon tea. For instant tea, just add water, stir well, and add some ice, and then, you can get a delicious and refreshing cup of winter melon tea in a few seconds. Meanwhile, ready-to-drink winter melon tea allows consumers to enjoy the cooling winter melon tea anywhere at any time.
About Future Generation Co.,Ltd
Future Generation Company Limited is one of the largest beverage suppliers in Vietnam, with 29 years of experience in production and export. FGC is equipped with modern machines such as Hotfill PET and TetraPak, ensuring high-capacity production. FGC strives to achieve our mission to become Vietnam’s leading healthy beverage company. Our factories also meet international standards such as ISO, HACCP, etc. In addition, we constantly innovate our machinery system, strengthen production capacity, and increase productivity.
FGC also provides Private Label Services. With this service, we can help customers in researching and formulating beverages, designing product label packaging, and creating their own brands. This is an ideal solution for small and medium enterprises. Moreover, FGC provides free samples for customers to test before bulk orders. We also ensure delivery as fast as possible.
Contact
Address: R4 building, Office Quarter 02, Royal City, 72A Nguyen Trai St., Thanh Xuan Dist., Hanoi.
Phone: +84 24 73 000 125/ +84 24 73 063 369
Mail: info@vietnam-tea.com
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