Feeling the hot summer beat down on you? Time to treat yourself to some refreshing drinks and cold desserts! One classic treat is grass jelly – the herbal, liquorice-like jelly is a common summer deliacy in Taiwan.
Want to put a twist in this classic dessert? Try black tea with grass jelly! By combining rich black tea and the refreshing jelly, we create a symphony of flavours and textures, transporting you to tea paradise.
Read on to learn more!
What is grass jelly?
Grass jelly is a plant-based jelly that’s popular in China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries. It’s made from the Chinese Mesona plant, a member of the mint family.
Since people classify the jelly as “yin” in traditional Chinese medicine, it’s thought to have cooling properties – making it a popular summer treat!
In the past, people would boil the leaves and stalks of the plant with a small amount of starch to create a mixture. Once the mixture cools down, it firms up to a jelly-like texture.
Nowadays, canned grass jelly juice and powders make this process much easier!
On its own, the jelly has a distinctive herbal-like, minty and slightly bitter flavour. Traditionally it’s served with sugar syrup, but nowadays things are a lot more colourful!
The jelly is first cut into cubes or stripes, then added to drinks, shaved ice or sweet dessert soups. It’s often paired with a wide range of toppings, from red beans and taro balls to coconut milk and fresh fruit.
With a colourful variety of ingredients, there’s something for everyone!
Take a sip!
The robust, rich flavours of black tea serves as a perfect backdrop for the grass jelly. Meanwhile, the jelly lends its iconic grassy, herbal sweetness to the drink. The result? A well-rounded, surprisingly in-depth flavour!
Furthermore, the drink is not only a treat for the tastebuds, but also a feast for the senses!
As you take a sip, the rich aroma of the black tea first hits you. Next, the silky smooth jelly dances on your tongue, gracing it with its mixture of flavours.
This mixture of flavours and textures is sure to create a multi-sensory experience!
Make it your own!
That’s not all – feel free to mix and match to create the drink of your own!
Want something sweeter? Swirl in some fructose syrup or honey. Prefer a creamy twist? Add a splash of milk, or even coconut milk for an extra Southeast Asian flair!
Moreover, you can also experiment with different kinds of tea blends to find just the right brew. The sky’s the limit!
Black Tea with Grass Jelly
Treat yourself to the exquisite experience of Black Tea with Grass Jelly and embrace the harmony of robustness and silkiness in each sip.
What you’ll need
How to make
Add grass jelly powder and water to the bowl, and mix well.
Refrigerate for about 1 to 2 hours or until completely set and chilled.
Fill the glass with black tea, ice cubes, and grass jelly. Enjoy!