24 flavors facts for kids
24 flavors (also known as Nian Si Mei in Chinese) is a special kind of herbal tea from Cantonese culture. People drink it because they believe it helps them feel better, especially when they feel a bit "overheated" or unwell. The name "24 flavors" comes from the idea that it uses many different plant ingredients, usually around 24, but it can be anywhere from 10 to 28 or more! The exact recipe can be different depending on who makes it. This tea often tastes a little bit bitter.
What is 24 Flavors Tea?
This tea is a traditional drink in southern China, especially in the Guangdong area. It's not like regular tea made from tea leaves. Instead, it's a mix of different herbs and plants. People have been drinking it for a long time as part of traditional Chinese medicine.
Why Do People Drink It?
In traditional Chinese beliefs, sometimes people can have too much "hot air" or "yeet hey" in their bodies. This doesn't mean they are literally hot. It means they might feel a bit unwell, like having a sore throat, a small cough, or feeling tired. People drink 24 flavors tea to help balance their bodies and feel better when they have these feelings.
What's Inside 24 Flavors Tea?
The exact plants used in 24 flavors tea can be different depending on who makes it. But here are some common ingredients you might find in this special herbal drink:
- Mulberry leaf (桑叶)
- Chrysanthemum flower (菊花)
- Japanese Honeysuckle flower (金银花)
- Bamboo leaf (竹叶)
- Peppermint (薄荷)
- Imperata cylindrica (茅根)
- Luohan guo (罗汉果)
- Agastache rugosa (藿香)
- Perilla frutescens (紫苏)
- Elsholtzia (香薷)
- Fermented soybean (淡豆鼓)
- Cleistocalyx operculatus flower (水翁花)
- Microcos paniculata leaf (布渣叶)
- Ilex rotunda (救必应)
