What can saffron be combined with for making tea?
Generally speaking, saffron can be steeped in hot water along with other ingredients such as wolfberry, rose petals, honey, red dates, and longan. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Wolfberry
Wolfberry is neutral in nature and contains nutrients such as polysaccharides and vitamins. When combined with saffron, it can supplement the body's nutritional needs based on saffron's function of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. The mild nature of wolfberry can neutralize the slight cold nature of saffron, reducing gastrointestinal irritation, while also helping improve overall physical condition. Therefore, it is suitable for combination.
2. Rose Petals
Rose petals are warm in nature and have the effects of soothing the liver, relieving depression, regulating qi, and promoting blood circulation. When combined with saffron, both ingredients can synergistically enhance blood circulation and relieve depression, better alleviating emotional tension and improving blood circulation. Additionally, the natural fragrance of rose petals can improve the taste of the beverage, masking the unique flavor of saffron and making the drinking experience more pleasant. Therefore, they are suitable for steeping together.
3. Honey
Honey is sweet in taste and contains components such as glucose and fructose, which can provide energy to the body and help moisturize the gastrointestinal tract. When combined with saffron, the sweetness of honey can neutralize saffron's slight bitterness, making the drink more palatable. Its moisturizing properties can also reduce gastrointestinal irritation caused by saffron and help the body absorb nutrients more effectively. Therefore, it is a suitable pairing.
4. Red Dates
Red dates are warm in nature and rich in vitamin C and iron. They have functions of invigorating the middle jiao, nourishing the blood, and calming the mind. Saffron promotes blood circulation (activating blood), while red dates nourish the blood. When used together, they can synergistically promote both blood activation and blood nourishment, avoiding possible qi and blood imbalance that may result from blood activation alone. Additionally, the mild nature of red dates can further balance the slightly cold nature of saffron, making this combination suitable for most people for daily consumption. Therefore, this pairing is recommended.
5. Longan
Longan is warm in nature and contains nutrients such as glucose and protein. It has functions of nourishing the heart and spleen, and calming the mind and nourishing the blood. When combined with saffron for steeping, the warming and nourishing properties of longan can enhance the overall nourishing effects of the beverage, assisting saffron in improving blood circulation, relieving fatigue, and improving mental condition. This combination is especially suitable for individuals with mild qi and blood deficiency and slight blood stasis. Therefore, it is appropriate to pair them together.
In addition, when steeping saffron with other ingredients, attention should be paid to controlling the dosage of saffron, typically 1-3 grams per use, to avoid excessive intake. If any gastrointestinal discomfort or other adverse reactions occur after consumption, usage should be stopped immediately.