Header images courtesy of 天唱儿 (Qunar.com) and @ericading19 (Trip.com)
Originally published by Sarah Moran. Last updated by Catharina Cheung.
Leung cha, literally translated as “cooling tea”, is an integral part of every Hongkonger’s childhood, as well as a fixture of the city’s very own intangible cultural heritage. Serving dark medicinal drinks in ceramic bowls or plastic cups, Chinese herbal tea shops are a familiar sight on many a street in Hong Kong.
With the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe, it’s all too easy to freak out over a slight tickly throat, so why not give Chinese herbal teas a go? Before you scoff at the idea of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), know that the Chinese have been relying on such herbal concoctions to maintain their health for centuries now, and it’s worked for them!
These herbal teas may not look very appealing, but you can always rely on them to stop a pimple or two from popping up after a fast-food binge. For the uninitiated, the world of leung cha can be daunting and downright confusing. That’s why we’re here to guide you through the most common types of herbal tea, what they’re each best for, as well as a pronunciation guide—you’ll be ordering like a true local in no time! Refer also to our guide on where to get Chinese herbal teas.