Winter melon tea cools all summer

Almost every house in the countryside of Quang Nam has a few squash vines in their garden, some have over 100. My aunt’s garden is isolated from the hustle and bustle of life outside, so the air is always fresh, perhaps thanks to that the squash garden is lush, with fruits hanging from the trellis. Squash is not only a delicious food but also a valuable medicine, good for health, especially when eaten in the summer.

My aunt said that the darker the squash, the more nutrients and minerals it contains, helping to improve digestion, slow down aging and control blood sugar levels. Therefore, delicious dishes made from squash often appear on family meals. In particular, squash is also processed into snacks such as squash jam, squash tea, etc.

The winter melon tea my aunt made was not complicated but required meticulousness. After washing the winter melon, she cut it into round slices, about 1 cm thick, and peeled off the skin. She chose old and large winter melons with dark green skin to make tea. In addition, the pumpkin seeds should be removed before processing, then washed with diluted salt water. This step helps the winter melon tea taste better and not be sour after cooking. Next, split the sugar cane into small pieces and place them at the bottom of the pot. Add the winter melon and monk fruit, water, and rehmannia glutinosa to the pot and cook for at least 2 hours over medium heat (monk fruit and rehmannia glutinosa are sold in many Chinese medicine shops). Wash the pandan leaves and knead them to release all the essential oils. When the winter melon is soft, tie the pandan leaves into a knot and put them in the pot to cook for about 5 minutes. Before turning off the stove, add a little rock sugar, stir well until the sugar dissolves, then turn off the stove. Continue filtering the water in the pot, put the winter melon tea in a bottle to drink gradually.

A glass of winter melon juice with crushed ice is a nutritious, refreshing drink for summer days. Just one glass a day will help your body feel cool, sleep well, and prevent dizziness. Winter melon tea should only be used within 2 days of cooking, because if left too long, the winter melon will lose its nutrients and is not good for your health.

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