Here are step-by-step instructions for making Chinese Almond Tea from scratch in 5 Steps (with Pictures). Chinese Almond Tea (杏仁茶 xìng rén chá) also known as Almond Milk Tea is a traditional dessert of Chinese cuisine – nutty, creamy and healthy. Chinese almonds are divided into 2 types, the sweet (南杏 nán xìng lit. South Almond, usually used for making desserts) and the bitter (北杏 běi xìng lit. North Almond, usually used for medicinal purpose). Both almonds are not the almonds that you could find commonly with other snacking nuts such as cashew nuts, walnuts, peanuts at the grocery store. They are actually “Apricot Kernels” classified as a drug rather than as a food in the Chinese pharmacology. Apricot Kernels are poisonous until heated or roasted (cannot be eaten raw) because they contain small amounts of cyanide. Accidentally eating a raw kernel is not going to harm anyone but 10 raw apricot kernels are estimated to be enough to kill a small child. Despite that, apricot kernels are widely sold and eaten in Chinese cultures as they have many nutritious benefits for our body. Do not worry. It is safe to eat the apricot kernels once you boil them. Women in ancient China loved this Almond Tea for keeping their skin smooth and glowing.

Chinese Almond Tea Recipe

Servings:

5 persons

Ingredients:

80g sweet almond
20g bitter almond
40g short grain rice
40g white rock sugar
1200ml water

Method:

1. Soak sweet almonds, bitter almonds and rice with 600ml of water overnight.
2. Blend the mixture in a blender until fine.
3. Pour the mixture into a heavy or thick bottomed pot. Add the remaining 600ml of water.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil. Stir frequently. Add white rock sugar.
5. Reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

Note:

• Grind the almonds as fine as you can. If you do not like the almond pulp, you may need to sieve it through a cheese cloth before cooking.
• Because of the poisonous properties of Chinese almonds, the best balanced ratio (in weight) for making Chinese Almond Tea is 4:1 (4 sweet almonds to 1 bitter almond).
• Chinese Almond Tea can be made solely from the sweet almonds. Never eat too much especially the bitter almond.
• This recipe will give you a thick and creamy Chinese Almond Tea. You can add more water if you want it lighter.
• Any kind of rice such as long grain rice, glutinous rice and brown rice can substitute short grain rice in this recipe.
• Other ingredients such as peanuts, sesame and osmanthus can be added in.
• The Chinese Almond Tea will thicken as it cools. If it is too thick, add some water and bring it to a boil again.
• Where to buy Chinese Almonds? You can buy peeled Chinese almonds at your local Chinese herbs medicine store.
• Keep the Chinese Almonds out of reach of children.