Jiaogulan Recipes for Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Tea Leaves

September 11, 2018

Below you will find a brief collection of recipes for jiaogulan tea that we have collected. If you have any great ideas to add, then please share them with us, and we will add them to this article!

It’s More Than Just Tea!

Of course, when you think of jiaogulan the first thing that comes to mind is making a delicious cup of healing tea or taking jiaogulan capsules with you on the go.

However, this super herb’s usefulness doesn’t stop there!

As you might already be aware of, jiaogulan leaves are edible. Therefore, once you are finished enjoying a cup jiaogulan tea you can easily mix them into a variety of dishes (or just eat them).

For example, the leaves are a nice addition to salads and stir fries. You can also add them to pasta dishes.

Really anything that could use a touch of slightly sweet and bitter flavor is fair game.

Gynostemma leaves are great for baking as well – try using the leaves in cookies, muffins, savory breads, etc.

Jiaogulan has actually been used as an effective and healthy natural sweetener for more than 20 years in Japan.

Today you can even find Jiaogulan in Japanese ice cream and bottled drinks!

Homemade Baked Goods With Jiaogulan Powder

You don’t always have to use jiaogulan leaves that have been brewed already. You can use the dry leaves as well.

And it’s actually very easy to make your own jiaogulan powder!

Simply take your jiaogulan leaf tea and put the leaves into a coffee grinder or blender. Then, blend the leaves until you have a fine powder.

From there, all you have to do is put a couple of tablespoons (or more if you prefer) in whatever it is that you are baking: cakes, cookies, pancakes, crepes, muffins, nut bars, granola, hot cereal, smoothies, shakes, juices etc.

How to Make Jiaogulan Tincture Using Vodka

Here are the ingredients that you will need to make the tincture:

1 Dark Glass Jar
1 Part Jiaogulan Leaves
5 Parts 100 Proof Alcohol

And it really couldn’t be easier to make. Follow these simple instructions:

1. Place the Jiaogulan leaves in a glass jar with a tight lid and cover with vodka.
2. Shake well and store in a dark, cool place.
3. Top off the jar everyday until the leaves are fully expanded and covered with vodka.
4. Shake the bottle once or twice a day for 30 days. (Formation of small bubbles is indicative of saponins/gypenosides)
5. Strain and squeeze the leaves to remove all vodka.
6. Throw away the leaves (Chinese people are known to keep the leaves in the tincture for years) and store in a cool, dark place.

Your tincture will keep for many years. Just make sure to store it in a cool, dark place as we mentioned above.

Jiaogulan Tincture Recommended Serving

Because of the alcohol extraction, the tincture helps the gypenosides get into the body as quickly as is possible.

When you first start using your tincture, place a few drops under your tongue and let it absorb.

As we recommend with jiaogulan tea, you want to work your way up to a more concentrated serving. The ideal serving size that you want to get to is 1 to 3 teaspoons daily.

If you experience a dry or scratchy throat when taking your tincture, then you can follow it up with a small amount of water and swish it around in your mouth before you swallow.

Jiaogulan Tincture Using Vinegar

Believe it or not, the recipe and the instructions are the same here as they are in the vodka tincture recipe listed above!

All you had to do is use organic apple cider vinegar instead of vodka.

And because of that you also get the added health benefits associated with drinking apple cider.

However, this tincture can only last 1 year whereas the alcohol tincture can last 100 years or more.

Jiaogulan Jelly

You can also make a “youth-preserving” jelly using jiaogulan tea leaves!

Here are the ingredients that you will need to make the tincture:

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)

Directions:

1. Add jiaogulan to 500ml/1 pint of hot water to make a strong infusion. Let steep for 20 minutes.
2. 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.
3. 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.

If you have any ideas for how to use jiaogulan, please feel free to share them with us, and we will add them to this article for everyone to see.

Thanks for stopping by!

More Useful Articles

“Growing Bitter” Takes On A New Meaning: The Best Bitter Foods & Herbs

August 23, 2018

Check out the top 5 best bitter foods and herbs, and learn why eating bitter is crucial for our health. For the most part, bitterness has been shunned in the Western diet in favor of anything that appeals to our sweet-tooth, which is a HUGE problem. Read More...

Best Herbal Tea for Energy: Re-energize Your Mind and Body

August 16, 2018

Find out which herbal tea is the best for naturally boosting your energy levels and lowering your daily stress. I've compiled the top 5 best herbal teas to help you get energized when you need a little help but don't want to reach for a coffee.  Read More...

White Mulberry Leaf Health Benefits – Can it Really Help You?

July 11, 2018

Are curious about white mulberry leaf and whether or not it can help you. If you want to know more about this popular plant, then check out our comprehensive guide and learn about the top 4 benefits of white mulberry leaf. Read More...