Artichoke Tea Recipe (Cha Atiso)

BENEFITS OF ARTICHOKE TEA

Artichoke tea contains a plethora of health benefits, which makes it a very popular tea in Vietnam.

• Liver Detox—artichoke tea delivers detoxifying benefits for the liver and helps cleanse the liver of toxins. Artichokes contain cynarin and silymarin, which protect the liver from damage and promote the growth of new tissues.
• Bone Health—artichokes contain magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and manganese, which promotes bone health, making them more pliable and reducing the incidence of osteoporosis.
• Essential Nutrients—this tea is loaded with Vitamin A, C, Thiamine (B1), and zinc. By boiling the artichoke leaves, the water will be infused with all these nutrients and antioxidants.
• Stress and Anxiety— because artichoke contains magnesium, zinc, and potassium, it can help relieve stress and anxiety, helping you unwind. Because it is caffeine-free, artichoke tea does not promote jittery or anxiety.
• Boost Immunity—thanks to Vitamin C and antioxidants, sipping on artichoke tea can help strengthen your immunity.
• Cholesterol—there have been studies on the relationship between artichoke tea and cholesterol levels pointing out that patients who consumed artichoke leaf extract daily found a decrease in both total and LDL cholesterol over time.

WHAT DOES ARTICHOKE TEA TASTE LIKE

Green artichoke tea taste has a mild flavor profile and is naturally sweet. This variety will produce a light yellow-green color. The red variety boasts a unique tartness and a more energetic taste. The color for this has a beautiful red hue.

THE RECIPE

I’ve modernized this recipe by adding fresh pandan leaves. My mother used to make this using only artichokes, but I find adding pandan leaves adds an extra freshness to the already mild tea. Fresh pandan leaves can be found in most Asian supermarkets, but if you can’t find them, adding a few drops of pandan extract will work too. The tea can be sweetened with a sweetener of your choice, but I prefer to enjoy this without it and savor the natural flavors of the artichokes.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 4 whole artichokes
• 1 small bundle of fresh pandan, washed and tied with twine (pandan extract can also be used if fresh pandan leaves are unavailable)
• 1 1/2 gallon of water
• Sweetener of choice (optional)

Step 1:

In a large pot, bring the water to a roiling boil. Add in artichoke and pandan leaves and lower the temperature to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook for 2 hours, until artichokes are tender and soft.

Step 2:

Remove the artichokes (can be saved for dips) and pandan leaves. Optional: add sweetener of choice. Let the tea cool completely before straining into a glass mason jar or container. Serve over ice.

✅ Quick Tips: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand.