Osmanthus Jellies

In celebration of Mid-Autumn festival (or how most Westerners remember the holiday, “Moon Cake Day”), I decided to post this recipe for osmanthus jellies. This dessert is a common dessert in Chinese cuisine.  Most people love to have this dessert after a greasy meal because it’s light, cold, and refreshing.

Let me get right into talking about the ingredients, because boy, is this recipe jam packed with health benefits.

The Ingredients

What is osmanthus?

It is a flower native to eastern Asia. It is a well-known herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to improve skin, detoxify the body, reduce thick saliva in the throat, and boost lung health. It is sweet tasting and has a distinctive fruity aroma that smells like a peach or apricot.

Agar Agar?

I decided to re-create this dessert for my little sister who is a vegetarian.  Since gelatin, which is collagen derived from animal parts, is commonly used in jelly-like desserts, I needed another way to achieve this texture. After some research, I came across agar agar, which I find to be the perfect substitute for gelatin. Agar agar is a plant-based gelatin derived from seaweed. It has zero calories, zero carbs, zero sugar, zero fats and gluten free. It is also tasteless, colorless, and odor-less. The best part for me is, it passes through the digestive system quickly and inhibits the body from storing excess fat. This is great for anyone looking to lose weight. In fact, there are many more benefits than the ones mentioned here.

Goji Berries

I personally think goji berries do not get enough credit as a superfood. Most people in the western hemisphere have not even heard of them and it’s a shame because these little red berries are jam packed with health benefits.  Similar to osmanthus, goji berries have been used by the Chinese for centuries to treat various ailments.  In TCM, this berry is used specifically to support the liver, kidneys, eyes, and lungs. They are also high in antioxidants.  I love incorporating goji berries to my desserts because of its immense health benefits and sweet taste. Sometimes I would even enjoy them the same way as I do with gummy bears, which is to eat them individually. They’re truly nature’s candy.

Why don’t you give this recipe a try? It is simple and quick to make; only takes 5 minutes on a stove top.

For this recipe I used one packet (6 oz) of agar agar powder, which already contains sugar. This can be found at any Asian grocery store or here on amazon.

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Osmanthus Jellies

October 3, 2020 healthysuelutions

• Cook time: 5 minutes
• Total time: 5 minutes

• Serves: 15

Perfect light and refreshing dessert

Ingredients

• 3 teabags of osmanthus tea
• 1/4 cup goji berries
• 6 cups water
• 6oz agar agar powder, 1 packet. See blog for details on the packet used.

Method

• 1)

  Add 3 tea bags into boiling water. Boil for 3 mins.

• 2)

  Add goji berries

• 3)

  Add contents of the package and stir until completely dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer for another minute.

• 4)

  Immediately pour mixture into your molds. Let cool and then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Keep refrigerated for up to a week.

Nutrition