It’s Like Hotpot… But With Tea
It’s Like Hotpot… But With Tea! is a easy Chinese recipe that serves 2. 250 calories per serving. Recipe by CookingBomb 袁倩祎 on YouTube.
Prep: 10 min | Cook: 25 min | Total: 45 min
Cost: $31.39 total, $15.69 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 pieces Snow Pear (washed, core removed, sliced into 1‑inch wedges)
- 1 piece Orange (peeled and sliced thinly; zest can be saved for garnish)
- 10 pieces Chinese Red Dates (Jujubes) (pitted; can be bought dried)
- 2 tablespoons Rock Sugar (or substitute with granulated sugar)
- 1 tablespoon Goji Berries (dried; add at the end for a burst of color)
- 4 cups Water (filtered or spring water)
Instructions
Prepare Fruit and Dates
Wash the snow pears and orange. Core and slice the pears into 1‑inch wedges. Peel the orange and slice it thinly. Pit the red dates with scissors or a small knife.
Time: PT7M
Combine Ingredients in Pot
Place the sliced pears, orange pieces, pitted dates, and rock sugar into the small pot. Add 4 cups of water and give a quick stir.
Time: PT3M
Simmer the Tea Base
Place the pot on the charcoal tea grill (or stovetop) and bring to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium‑low and let it simmer for 20 minutes, uncovered.
Time: PT20M
Temperature: Medium‑low heat
Add Goji Berries
Stir in the tablespoon of goji berries and continue to simmer for another 5 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: Medium‑low heat
Serve Warm
Turn off the heat, ladle the tea into heat‑resistant bowls or mugs, and enjoy immediately while fragrant and warm.
Time: PT1M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 250
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbohydrates
- 55 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fiber
- 6 g
Dietary info: Vegan, Gluten‑Free, Dairy‑Free
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Snow Pear: Asian pear, regular pear
- Instead of Orange: tangerine, mandarin
- Instead of Chinese Red Dates (Jujubes): dried figs, dried apricots
- Instead of Rock Sugar: white sugar, honey
- Instead of Goji Berries: dried cranberries, dried cherries
Equipment Needed
- Small Pot
- Charcoal Tea Grill (optional)
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Ladle
- Heat‑Resistant Bowl or Cups
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Simmer the tea base for a full 20 minutes to extract the sweetness and medicinal properties.
- Add goji berries at the end to preserve their texture and bright color.
Chef Tips from the Video
- For extra aroma, lightly toast the red dates over the grill before adding them to the pot.
- A splash of fresh orange juice added just before serving brightens the flavor.
Troubleshooting
Tea is too bitter or astringent.
Reduce simmer time to 15 minutes or add an extra teaspoon of rock sugar to balance the bitterness.
Fruit pieces become mushy.
Cut the fruit into slightly larger chunks and keep the simmer gentle; avoid a rolling boil.
Goji berries turn black.
Add goji berries only in the last 5 minutes and keep the heat low; overcooking turns them dark.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftover tea in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Freezer: Not recommended due to fruit texture changes.
Room temperature: Can be kept at room temperature for up to 4 hours if served in a thermos.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Slice the pears and orange a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated in a sealed container.
- Pre‑measure rock sugar and goji berries for quick assembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of Snow Pear, Orange, Red Date & Goji Berry Tea in Chinese wellness tradition?
This tea traces back to traditional Chinese medicine, where snow pears soothe the lungs, oranges provide vitamin C, red dates add natural sweetness, and goji berries boost immunity. It is often served during winter to ward off colds and strengthen the body.
What are the traditional regional variations of this pear‑orange wellness tea in Chinese cuisine?
In northern China, the tea may include ginger and honey for extra warmth. In the south, fresh lotus seeds or chrysanthemum flowers are sometimes added for a lighter flavor profile.
How is this tea traditionally served in Chinese households?
It is usually brewed in a small pot over a charcoal stove and poured into porcelain or bamboo cups. The family gathers around the stove, sipping slowly while the tea’s fragrant steam fills the room.
What occasions or celebrations is this wellness tea traditionally associated with in Chinese culture?
It is commonly prepared during the winter months, especially around the Lunar New Year, and is also served to family members recovering from a cold or cough.
What makes Snow Pear, Orange, Red Date & Goji Berry Tea special or unique in Chinese wellness cuisine?
The combination balances sweet, citrusy, and slightly earthy flavors while delivering a blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and soothing properties that target respiratory health, making it both tasty and medicinal.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making this Chinese wellness tea at home?
Common errors include over‑boiling the fruit, which makes it mushy, and adding goji berries too early, which turns them dark and bitter. Keep the simmer gentle and add goji berries only in the last five minutes.
Why does this recipe simmer the ingredients for 20 minutes instead of a quick boil?
A gentle 20‑minute simmer allows the fruit and dates to release their natural sugars and medicinal compounds slowly, creating a smooth, balanced broth without the harsh bitterness that a rapid boil can cause.
Can I make this wellness tea ahead of time and how should I store it?
Yes, you can brew the tea a few hours in advance. Store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two days and gently reheat on low heat before serving.
What texture and appearance should I look for when the tea is done cooking?
The broth should be a light amber color, the fruit pieces tender but still holding shape, and the goji berries should be plump and ruby‑red. The aroma should be fragrant with citrus and sweet notes.
What does the YouTube channel CookingBomb 袁倩祎 specialize in?
The YouTube channel CookingBomb 袁倩祎 focuses on creative Chinese home‑cooking techniques, often featuring cozy, family‑centered meals prepared on small charcoal grills and highlighting traditional wellness recipes.
How does the YouTube channel CookingBomb 袁倩祎's approach to Chinese wellness cooking differ from other Chinese cooking channels?
CookingBomb 袁倩祎 blends nostalgic, winter‑time traditions with modern presentation, emphasizing the sensory experience of grilling and brewing over a charcoal stove, whereas many other channels focus on stovetop or electric appliance methods.
Last updated: August 29, 2026
