 Recipe ideas for Jiaogulan/Gynostemma Pentaphyllum tea leaves
We've collected some of our favorite Jiaogulan recipe ideas below. Please feel free to share your own!
Uses for Jiaogulan Leaf
After you’ve enjoy a pot of Jiaogulan tea, why use the already
infused leaves.
Throw your infused Jiaogulan leaves into salads, pasta or stir
fry. The leaves will add roughage and you’ll get a slightly
sweet/bitter taste added to your entrée. Use dried Jiaogulan
leaves in baking – cookies, cakes, muffins and even ice cream.
In Japan, Jiaogulan was discovered as an effective and healthy
natural sweetener more than 20 years ago. Today you can find Jiaogulan
in Japanese ice cream and bottled drinks.
Use Jiaogulan powder in baked goods
A simple method for powdering your jiaogulan leaf tea is to put the leaves in a coffee grinder or blender. Blend the leaves into a fine powder. Include a couple of tablespoons in cakes, cookies, pancakes, crepes, muffins, nut bars, granola, hot cereal, smoothies, shakes, juices etc.
Directions
for making a Jiaogulan Tincture with Vodka
1 Glass Jar (dark glass preferred)
1 Part Jiaogulan Leaves
5 Parts 100 Proof Alcohol
(Russia Standard Vodka is our preference)
Place the Jiaogulan leaves in a glass jar with a tight lid and
cover with vodka. Shake well and store in a dark, cool place. Top
off the jar everyday until the leaves are fully expanded and covered
with vodka. Shake the bottle once or twice a day for 30 days. Formation
of small bubbles is indicative of saponins/gypenosides; the active
ingredient within the herb. Strain and squeeze the leaves to remove
all vodka. Throw away the leaves (Chinese people are known to keep
the leaves in the tincture for years) and store in a cool, dark
place. The tincture will keep for many years.
Jiaogulan Tincture Serving Suggestions
We know that alcohol extracts the gypenosides (active ingredient)
from Jiaogulan and helps to get them into the body as quickly as
possible. Start by taking a few drops of tincture under your tongue
and work your way up to the following serving suggestions:
Take 1 to 3 teaspoons daily
Some people find that Jiaogulan Tincture gives them a scratchy
throat or makes them cough. If you have similar experience: chase
your Jiaogulan tincture with water or swish it around in your mouth
will a little saliva before you swallow.
How to make a Tincture with Vinegar
The recipe for making a tincture with organic apple cider vinegar
is the same as with 100 proof alcohol. The shelf life, however,
of this tincture is only one year where as alcohol tincture can
last 100 years or more. You also get the added health benefits associated
with drinking apple cider.
Jiaogulan
Jelly - Here is a recipe for "Preserving Youth Jelly".
5 teaspoons jiaogulan
2 teaspoons agar-agar powder
85g/3 oz. granulated sugar
A few drops of rose or jasmine essence
Creme fraiche, to serve (optional)
- Add jiaogulan to 500ml/1 pint of hot water to make a strong
infusion. Let steep for 20 minutes.
- Pour the strained tea into a saucepan and sprinkle the agar-agar
powder over the surface. Bring slowly to the boil and stir until
the agar-agar has dissolved. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the flower essence,
and then pour the mixture into the individual jelly moulds or
bowls. Set aside to cool, and then leave to set for a few hours
in the refrigerator.
Serve with creme fraiche, if you like.
Serves 4.
Do you have your own ideas for how to use Jiaogulan. If you would
like to share them, please contact us.
Thank you for visiting.
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