Our tribute Gong Ju white chrysanthemums are harvested from a pristine area in Huangshan Mountain, Anhui Province, China. Chrysanthemum is known as the "autumn flower" and is well-known for its ability to endure cold weather. She represents nobility, and the elegance of people who preserve their morality under hardships, and refuse to be polluted by society. In the eyes of romantic Chinese scholars this combination of beauty and strong character makes the ideal personality. (Source: https://www.yunboutique.com/blogs/behind-the-design/behind-the-design-chrysanthemum-the-noble-flower)
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine "TCM", chrysanthemums can protect the liver, improve eyesight, reduce body "heat", support hypertension, reduce headaches and nourish the stomach.
After being harvested, the flowers are carefully steamed in a controlled environment and the flowers are left to oxidize and dry in the sun. Over-steaming can destroy flavor and taste.
The tea from steeping these flowers is not bitter at all, but lightly sweet, attesting to their supreme quality. Named "gong ju", these chrysanthemums are of the quality level to be given as a tribute gift to the emperor and are superior in delicacy, fragrance and taste to the more common Hangzhou Chrysanthemum. They are really great to drink as hot or iced tea in the summer. You can steep them with goji berries to sweeten the tea naturally, and you can also add them to ripe puerh to add a different dimension to your tea, just like they do in China!
