Classification and Origin
Category: plant infusions and dried flowers (代用茶, dàiyòng chá) — outside the botanical category of tea from Camellia sinensis
dried inflorescences and buds
globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa), family Amaranthaceae
tropics of Central and South America
disputed
Type: floral herbal infusion, substitute tea (代用茶, dàiyòng chá)
Facts
the name 千日红 (qiān rì hóng) reflects the rare tenacity of colour in dried inflorescences
the decorative brightness of globe amaranth is provided by papery bracts
if it is globe amaranth, its colour is provided by betalain pigments — a comparatively rare occurrence in the plant world
the character 梅 (méi) hints at the plum, though the product is unrelated to the plum
History and Culture
the tradition of floral infusions (花草茶, huā cǎo chá)
an everyday, decorative, "homely" beverage for casual drinking
Botany and Raw Material
annual herb Gomphrena globosa, approximately 20–60 cm in height
dense globose or ovoid head, roughly 1.5–3 cm in diameter
ranging from crimson-purple and pink to red; white and lilac forms also occur
the brightly coloured dry, papery bracts, not petals in the usual sense
whole dried heads or individual buds
Terroir
Yunnan province and other warm regions of China
heat-loving annual (does not overwinter in temperate climates)
sunny open sites, light well-drained soils, tolerance of heat and drought
Production
open but not over-mature inflorescences are cut
air-drying in the shade or gentle thermal drying at moderate temperature
by size, integrity, and uniformity of colour
dry heads are cleaned of debris and packaged
Organoleptic Profile
dense globular heads of raspberry-red or pink tone
faint, grassy-hay-like, without pronounced floral sweetness
from pink to saturated purple-raspberry
Taste: mild, neutral-grassy, with a light natural sweetness, without the bitterness and astringency of tea
Chemical Composition
depend on the botanical nature of the raw material
flavonoids, soluble sugars, organic acids in small amounts
Health Notes
a drink "for beauty and good skin appearance" (美容养颜, měi róng yǎng yán), a light refreshing beverage
the antioxidant activity of plant pigments (betalains, flavonoids) as a subject of laboratory research
Brewing
approximately 5–8 dry heads (about 2–3 g) per 200–250 ml of water
a transparent glass teapot or tumbler — this way the colour is visible; a gaiwan (盖碗, gài wǎn) will also work
hot, around 90–95 °C; boiling water may also be used
2–4 minutes for the first infusion
withstands 2–3 infusions; thereafter colour and flavour weaken
suitable — steep in cold water and infuse in the refrigerator, or chill the prepared infusion with ice
Storage
Container: tightly sealed packaging or jar
Shelf Life: roughly within 1–2 years under proper storage, but it is better to consume them while fresh
dry, dark, cool place, away from extraneous odours
moisture — dry flowers are hygroscopic and, if dampened, will mould and lose colour
Price and Authenticity
around 80 ¥/kg (as an order of magnitude; retail is higher and depends on packaging)
whole, evenly coloured heads without crumbs, dust, or extraneous debris, with a natural, not "screaming" colour
dyeing of the raw material, addition of broken fragments and extraneous flowers, sale of disparate flowers under a single "attractive" name
