Chrysanthemum Tea Drink

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Whilst browsing a local Chinese store recently I was wide-eyed with amazement at all the unusual, interesting and downright odd (at least to my British senses) food items sold there. Amongst the oddities I discovered coconut jam, various Meiji products, soybean soda and...this. Yes, you read the title correctly, this is a Chrysanthemum Tea Drink.

Looking at the ingredients I noticed it contains 12% "aqueous extract of chrysanthemum", as well as water, sugar and a few e-numbers. The label helpfully informed me that these "may have an adverse effect on attention and activity in children". Thankfully I'm not a child, although you would be forgiven for thinking otherwise!

Pouring it into a glass, I could smell a horrible sickly sweet flowery smell that reminded me of cammomile tea, which is the only reference I have for flowery-tasting beverages. I was a little scared of trying it to be honest; it had a pale yellow colour that didn't look all that appetizing (I won't say what it reminded me of since this is a family-friendly blog!)


I finally took a sip, and it tasted just as bad as I had imagined. It was insanely sweet, and very sickly. I struggled to drink much because it made me feel a little nauseous. The best way I can describe the taste is like cold cammomile tea, with lots and lots of sugar, but without the calming, gentle taste that cammomile tea has. After a few sips I poured the rest down the sink.

Overall, I'm glad I tried this chrysanthemum tea drink just so I can add it to the list of odd food and drinks I've tried, but I won't ever be touching it again!

Price: 70p at Chinese supermarket.
Nutritional/ingredients info: Contains 12% aqueous extract of chrysanthemum and e-numbers.
Made in: Product of Malaysia.

Comments

  1. Grocery Gems23 April 2013 at 00:24

    I salute your bravery in trying this drink! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kevs Snack Reviews23 April 2013 at 03:59

      Haha thanks! One day my curiosity for weird snacks is going to get me into trouble, I just know it :D

      Delete
  2. Anonymous23 April 2013 at 07:47

    Alas! This is a common drink back in Southeast Asia (I'm from Singapore) and many of us, as young kids / teenagers sipped on these at our break times. It's quite common for packets of these to be given out at performances / national events as well, given its "cooling" qualities, not unlike how in the UK one might have a Fruit Punch (or... any other drink meant to cool off one's body.

    Jeremy Sng

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kevs Snack Reviews24 April 2013 at 14:47

      Thanks for the info, I never realized this drink was so popular! I guess it must be just my British tastes that can't handle anything that tastes of flowers haha.

      Delete
  3. baobao23 April 2013 at 15:31

    Heheh, I actually like this drink but it's usually in a carton or in a bottle. You should try out wong lo kat. It's in a red can, but have that cold. And another one called floral herbal tea (5-flower tea). That comes in a yellow carton. Also have that one cold! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kevs Snack Reviews24 April 2013 at 14:44

      Hmm I might have to give those a try, thanks for the recommendations :)

      Delete
  4. Hannah23 April 2013 at 15:50

    If the coconut jam is the Malaysian/Thai kaya flavoured with pandan, you must get it. It's like crack. I make peanut butter kaya drop cookies with it - like jam thumbprints but better ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kevs Snack Reviews24 April 2013 at 14:48

      That's the one! I've already tried it and I agree, it's very tasty! Nice on toast, but sounds even better on cookies :D

      Delete
  5. Unknown24 April 2013 at 13:21

    Haha interesting, because this is one of my favourite drinks ever, and I miss it very much ever since moving to London! (I'm from Singapore) It is not fizzy or meant to be fizzy. I find it to be a very good thirst-quencher, especially when served cold. It is more of a sweet drink than a tea, like elderflower juice.

    You should also try brewing some chrysanthemum tea on your own, it is really lovely as a hot tea as well! You get more of the natural taste and sweetness rather than the sugared taste from the canned drink.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kevs Snack Reviews24 April 2013 at 14:51

      Ah thanks, I thought it was supposed to be carbonated, I wondered why it seemed so flat! Chrysanthemum does sound nicer as a hot tea actually.

      Delete
  6. Grocery Gems24 April 2013 at 14:23

    See, now that I've read all these lovely comments I really want to try this drink! I'll be looking out for it now! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous20 May 2013 at 13:58

    you should totally drink the ones in the tea bag.. the cans taste bad..

    ReplyDelete
  8. Curious Charlie18 February 2017 at 06:30

    I love this drink! It's like chamomile but different, and not sweet at all! You must be asian :P Being American I run on sugar, and this has very little on that.

    ReplyDelete

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