Strictly speaking, the ancients believed that the true "deep winter cold" begins only after the Winter Solstice. The ensuing eighty-one days of severe winter are akin to the eighty-one tribulations on a pilgrimage, each day leaving one chilled and longing for spring that never seems to arrive—an experience felt even more acutely in the unheated southern regions.

Meanwhile, those in the north face the effects of a drier, colder climate, which can impact the liver and lungs. Therefore, we recommend three teas best suited for nourishing the body during the harsh winter, allowing you to comfortably weather the season.

One: Ginger Red Date Tea

Black tea warms the stomach and heart, ginger also has body-warming properties, and red dates replenish qi and blood—all are excellent for winter consumption.

Ingredients: Black tea, a small amount of peeled ginger, red dates.

Method: Place black tea, ginger, and a few red dates together in a cup, then pour boiling water over them to steep and drink.

Note: Slice the ginger thinly. Adjust the quantity to your taste, with 4–5 slices being optimal.

Two: Pu-erh Rose Tea

Ripe Pu-erh tea is mild and gentle, making it perfect for winter. Adding some rose petals nourishes yin and helps alleviate the heavy, stifling feeling of winter.

Ingredients: A small amount of rose petals, ripe Pu-erh tea, honey.

Method: Discard the first infusion of the ripe Pu-erh. Starting with the second infusion, add 3–5 rose petals according to preference and steep together. Once the tea water is warm, add honey to taste.

Three: Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea is often associated with summer, but it is also quite suitable for winter. Especially in the north, where the dry, cold climate significantly affects the liver and lungs, drinking more jasmine tea can help soothe the liver and nourish the lungs.

Ingredients: Jasmine tea.

It is recommended not to add any other ingredients when drinking jasmine tea. Savor the warm, fragrant aroma diffusing in the air—a simple pleasure during the cold winter months.