H-CN-021

Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua)

菊花

Dried whole flower tisane, from Zhejiang, China.

Herbal tisanes

Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua) is strongest on floral, smoothness and aroma intensity. Typical tasting words: chrysanthemum, honey, herbaceous, sweet pea. Cultivated in China for millennia, Hangzhou white chrysanthemum has been renowned since the Song dynasty as both an infusion and an ingredient in traditional pharmacopoeia. Frequently drunk in southern China and at dim sum meals, often blended with aged ripe pu-erh to make 'guk pou'.

Also known as Ju Hua, Hang Bai Ju, Bo Ju and Gong Ju.

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The profile

Taste, 0 to 5

sweetness3bitterness1astringency1umami0brightness2body2smoothness4aroma intensity4finish length3

Flavour families, 0 to 5

floral5fruity0vegetal2marine0nutty0toasty0malty0honey3spicy0woody0earthy1smoky0creamy0citrus0stone fruit0tropical0cocoa0caramel0

Facts

Origin: Zhejiang, China
Plant: Chrysanthemum morifolium
Harvest: autumn
Elevation: low
Oxidation: to %
Roast: unroasted
Leaf: whole flower
Price band: affordable
Availability: common
Ageing: a little
Forgiving to brew: 5 of 5
L-theanine: none

Made by: harvesting, then steaming, then sun-drying.

Caffeine

Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua) is caffeine-free. Figures are estimates for a 240 ml cup. Low enough to suit the evening for most people. The caffeine planner turns this into a daily total.

How to brew it

Method	Leaf	Water	Steeps
Western, 250 ml	2 g	90 to 100 °C	3 min, 4 min, 5 min
Cold brew, 250 ml	2.5 g	Fridge	6 to 12 hours

Up to 3 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.

Drinking it

afternoon
evening
night
after_meal
relaxing
hot_weather

Pairs with dim_sum, spicy_food and sweets. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: yes. Good for beginners: yes.