As Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum has only recently emerged from the Kunlun mountain area and become known to the world, with very limited production, scarce sources, and few sales channels, many people may still not have had the opportunity to experience the wonder and delight of authentic Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum. Some may not even have heard of this precious natural chrysanthemum, and know even less about its efficacy, price, brewing methods, consumption, and precautions.
This article will take you into the magical world of Kunlun to pick that wonderful snow chrysanthemum.
Snow Chrysanthemum is not an independent species; it is actually the commercial name for Snake-Eye Chrysanthemum (Snakeweed Chrysanthemum, Bicolor Coreopsis) grown in Xinjiang. People in Xinjiang call it: Snow Chrysanthemum, Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum, Kunlun Blood Chrysanthemum, Tianshan Snow Chrysanthemum, Alpine Snow Chrysanthemum, Alpine Fragrant Chrysanthemum, etc. It is native to the midwestern United States and is widely cultivated in some regions of China.
While Tianshan Snow Lotus is generally used only for medicinal purposes, Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum can be used as a daily beverage at home or in the office, and can also be given as an elegant gift to friends and family. With increasing online dissemination, it is believed that the name Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum will also become a household name.
The Origin of Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum
At the end of the last century, Uyghur herders living at the northern foot of the Karakoram Mountains discovered a small yellow flower above the snow line of the Kunlun Mountains. This small yellow flower resembles a daisy, with golden petals and brown pistils. It grows on icy cliffs above 3000 meters in the Kunlun Mountains, absorbing the spirit of Kunlun, gathering the essence of heaven and earth, enduring the tempering of extreme cold, and purified by ice and snow...
The Kunlun Mountains are a major mountain system in central Asia and the backbone of the western mountain systems of China. Kunlun Mountain holds a prominent position in the cultural history of the Chinese nation as the "Ancestor of All Mountains." The ancients called Kunlun Mountain the "Dragon Ancestor Vein" of China. Out of respect for the Ancestor of All Mountains and affection for this small yellow flower, the herders picked some and brought them home, casually placing them outside. After natural air-drying, these flowers remained vibrant. The herders brewed these dried small flowers in boiling water and found the tea soup to be brightly red, particularly appealing. Its fragrance refreshed the lungs and invigorated the spirit.
Thus, they often brewed these dried small flowers as tea to drink. Over time, they found that some long-standing physical discomforts in their family members miraculously improved. Therefore, this magical small yellow flower was called "Gülqar" (Uyghur for flower tea) by the locals. As the miraculous effects of this small yellow flower on the human body spread, locals began to offer it as a sacred gift to precious guests. The flower and its神奇 effects spread to Urumqi and even to various parts of the country like Beijing and Shanghai, receiving high attention from people at all levels!
Five Characteristics of Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum
1. Unique Growing Environment: Authentic wild Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum grows in parts of the northern Kunlun Mountains above 3000 meters at the snow line. It has a short flowering period, blooming only once a year in August.
2. Difficult Harvesting and Small Yield: Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum grows in high-altitude, uninhabited areas, some even on cliffs, making harvesting very difficult. It must be hand-picked at dawn when the sun just rises, with dew and frost, to keep the petals intact. Due to its extremely short flowering period, the yield is very small.
3. Unique Medicinal Efficacy: Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum contains 18 amino acids and 15 trace elements beneficial to the human body. It has special effects on hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, coronary heart disease, etc., and also has functions like antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, weight loss, preventing colds and chronic enteritis. It also works quite well for insomnia.
4. Magical Color, Scent, and Taste: It has the aroma of other wild chrysanthemums, the color and mellowness of aged Pu-erh tea, and a very special, lingering sweetness.
5. Adaptable and Elegant Gift: Snow Chrysanthemum suits a wide range of people and comes in flexible and diverse packaging specifications.
Efficacy of Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum
1. Regulates the Three Highs: Wild Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum is a natural plant passed down through generations by the Uyghur people for health preservation and healthcare. It effectively lowers blood lipids, softens blood vessels, and removes waste from the body.
2. Clears the liver and improves vision, nourishes the liver and supplements Yin, beautifies and maintains the complexion, and lubricates the intestines to relieve constipation.
3. Aids in Weight Loss and Beauty: Since Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum helps remove waste from the body, it is beneficial for fat loss, weight reduction, detoxification, and beauty.
4. Improves Sleep Quality: Long-term consumption of Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum is also very effective for those who frequently suffer from insomnia.
5. Nourishes the Heart Muscle: Wild chrysanthemum contains various active components such as chrysanthemol, wild chrysanthemum lactone, amino acids, and trace elements. Its water extract significantly protects the cardiovascular system, increases cardiac output, enhances myocardial oxygen supply, and protects the normal physiological functions of the ischemic heart muscle.
6. Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory: Traditional Chinese medicine believes that wild chrysanthemum is cool in nature and has the effects of dispelling wind and clearing heat, detoxifying and reducing swelling, and boosting the brain and improving eyesight. It shows noticeable effects on pneumonia, rhinitis, bronchitis, sore throat, etc. Therefore, it has the functions of bacteriostasis, inhibiting bacteria, reducing inflammation, and preventing colds and chronic enteritis.
Regular consumption of Snow Chrysanthemum tea has miraculous effects on lowering the three highs (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia). It also has excellent properties for clearing the liver and improving vision, nourishing the liver and supplementing Yin, beautifying and maintaining the complexion, and lubricating the intestines. It can alleviate symptoms caused by eye strain and liver damage from alcohol consumption. Moreover, drinking this tea before bed does not cause insomnia but instead has a calming effect.
Brewing Method for Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum
Brewing Snow Chrysanthemum is simple. It can be brewed directly in a cup like green tea, or in a lidded bowl (Gaiwan) like black tea or Pu-erh. The specific method depends on personal preference.
For the first brew, use freshly boiled water, ideally above 95°C. For subsequent brews, the water temperature is not particularly demanding; either freshly boiled water or water above 80°C is fine. Generally, brewing with a teapot results in more consistent soup color, and the color and taste are superior. Brewing in a cup is convenient and easy,不受条件限制 (unrestricted by conditions), especially suitable for during office work or while traveling.
Brewing Snow Chrysanthemum usually uses low-hardness mineral water. The water temperature should be just boiled for immediate brewing. Transparent glass cups or pots are best for tea utensils to observe the soup color. Drink when the soup color turns red, and it can be brewed multiple times without losing flavor.
Snow Chrysanthemum soup is amber-red, the only red soup chrysanthemum tea available today. It has a light medicinal fragrance combined with the taste of high-quality black tea. The scent is subtly endless, the entry is sweet and continuous, the aftertaste is mellow and thick, offering an extraordinary taste experience.
Precautions for Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum
1. Rinsing Off Dust: Whether using a teapot or a cup to brew Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum, both methods require a first rinse with a small amount of boiling water, which is then discarded to remove dust. Start drinking from the second brew onwards, as Snow Chrysanthemum is air-dried in a natural environment and may contain a small amount of dust.
2. Master the Brewing Time: Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum releases color very quickly. When brewed with boiling water, it can usually be poured out for drinking within seconds, unlike other chrysanthemums or teas that require waiting several minutes. Soaking for too long makes the soup too dark and black, affecting the taste. For subsequent brews, the time can be slightly extended, but usually only needs十几秒到几十秒钟 (tens of seconds to several tens of seconds). If brewing in a cup, to mitigate this effect, appropriately reduce the amount of Snow Chrysanthemum used (no more than 1 gram per cup, or within 15 flowers, typically 5-6 flowers are sufficient). Also, add water when about one-third of the tea soup remains in the cup.
3. Prevent Staining: The brewed Snow Chrysanthemum has a strong color. If accidentally spilled on white tablecloths, towels, or shirts, it stains easily and is very difficult to wash off,几乎是“永不褪色” (almost "never fades"). So be very careful to avoid unnecessary trouble. Especially when using a sufficient amount of Snow Chrysanthemum (over 1 gram per cup, over 3 grams per pot), a cup of crimson red Snow Chrysanthemum tea soup like red wine is enough to completely dye one or more shirts.