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How to Make Jujube Tea with Apples and Citrus
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There’s something almost meditative about brewing a pot of tea — the slow boil, the quiet aroma, the first sip that reminds you to pause. This year, trade your usual mug for something a little unexpected: jujube tea, made from CA GROWN jujube fruit.
A New Year, A New You
This simple infusion has roots in thousands of years of tradition, yet it fits perfectly into our modern pace. With a caramel-sweet flavor and amber hue, it’s both comforting and uplifting. It’s the kind of drink that asks you to slow down and actually taste the moment.
What’s a Jujube?
If you’ve never tried a jujube, think of it as the love child between an apple and a date. Fresh jujubes are crisp and slightly tart. Once dried, they take on a deep sweetness reminiscent of brown sugar, caramel, and palm dates.
Known as the “red date” across Asia, the jujube has been a staple in Eastern cultures for thousands of years. And now, thanks to California farmers, it’s finding its way into our local markets…and into our teacups.
Grown in the same fertile soil that produces our state’s world-famous figs, almonds, and citrus, the California jujube represents the perfect blend of ancient wisdom and modern innovation.
Grown in the Golden State
As a CA GROWN fruit, jujubes share the same environmental story as so many of our favorite crops: abundant sunshine, fertile soil, and a commitment to sustainability. Each sip of jujube tea is a reflection of that — nature’s way of helping us restore, renew, and protect.
Jujube tea: A Cup Full of Possibility
While we won’t claim jujube tea is a magic potion, it’s easy to see why some consider it a wellness drink, as some cultures have for centuries. Rich in antioxidants and organic compounds, jujubes may help you feel radiant from the inside out while delivering a gentle dose of vitamin C.
Calm and Soothe With Every Sip of Jujube Tea
You know that moment when you finally sit down after a long day, wrap your hands around a warm cup, and take a deep breath? That’s the energy of jujube tea.
For centuries, jujubes have been used in Eastern medicine as a natural way to calm the nervous system. This is because they were understood as a way to create a sense of ease without any caffeine or sugar. If your New Year’s goal involves slowing down or being more intentional, this tea fits perfectly into that rhythm.
Get That Dewy Glow
In a world obsessed with serums and creams, sometimes the best beauty finds lie in the simplest habits. Some studies show that jujubes contain high levels of powerful antioxidants. The kind that are reported to help protect skin cells from damage.
While your skincare routine addresses the outside, sipping jujube tea may just nourish from within. It’s not about chasing youth — it’s about fueling your skin (and your mood) with something natural, calming, and deeply satisfying.
Reset Your Sleep Routine
“Beauty sleep” isn’t just a cliché — it’s biology. Quality rest allows your body to repair itself, balance hormones, and renew energy. In traditional medicine, jujube tea is frequently an evening drink to help support natural sleep cycles.
Its naturally soothing properties make it a gentle evening alternative to caffeine-heavy teas, and the sweetness notes of caramel make it feel like a treat rather than a chore. Try sipping it an hour before bed with a slice of apple or lemon for a little California sunshine before sleep.
Sip Into the New Year
In a state that grows more than 400 different crops, jujube fruit might be one of the most underrated. It’s a bridge between cultures, between ancient traditions and modern California living.
So this New Year, skip the resolutions that fizzle out by February. Instead, start a ritual. Boil the water, steep the jujubes, and take a minute to savor something good for your body and grown in the Golden State.
Here’s to slowing down, sipping intentionally, and celebrating everything California has to offer — one warm, caramel-sweet cup of jujube tea at a time.
What to Make With the Leftover Soaked Jujubes After Making Tea
You may be wondering what to do with the leftover, juicy, plump, hydrated jujubes. We suggest you try the recipe below. Our chutney can be used in all sorts of ways, from a simple snack with crackers and cheese to the perfect topping for roasted or grilled meats.
Jujube and Apple Chutney
Sweet, tangy, and just the right amount of spicy, this California Jujube and Apple Chutney is a flavorful condiment that instantly elevates any dish. Dried jujube fruit brings rich caramel-like notes that pair beautifully with tart Granny Smith apples, warming spices, and a splash of red wine vinegar. Serve it with grilled or roasted meats, spoon it over cooked vegetables, or add it to a cheese-and-cracker spread.
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Craving more delicious news? Check out our Pinterest for more CA GROWN recipes and ideas for innovative ways to use ingredients from the Golden State in your kitchen.
Do you have a favorite jujube recipe we should try? Snap a pic and tag us with #CAGROWN—we’d love to see what you’re cooking up.
Jujube Tea
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups dried, pitted, jujube fruit
To garnish:
- 2 thin apple slices, lemon, or orange slices
- 1 TBSP honey optional
Instructions
- If your dried jujubes still have the pits, remove them first.
- Then, place a small saucepan with 3 cups of water and the pitted jujubes on the stove and bring to a boil over high heat.
- When the water is boiling, cover the pan, turn the stove off, and let the jujubes steep for at least 15 minutes or for up to a few hours for a more concentrated flavor.
- Strain out the jujube fruit and reserve them for another use. The liquid left behind is jujube tea. If the liquid has cooled due to a longer soak time, reheat the tea to the desired temperature. Garnish with sliced apples and citrus.
Video
Notes
- 15 min yields a mild color and flavor.
- 1 hr yields a slightly darker tea with a flavor that has intensified.
- 2+ hrs yields a dark tea with a strong flavor.
Nutrition
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