Vietnamese Artichoke Tea: Distinguishing the Two Types

5 min

Tea

In Vietnam, there are two types of tea called artichoke tea: green artichoke tea and red artichoke tea. They come from different plants and taste different.

What’s the difference between green and red Vietnamese artichokes?

Cynara Scolymus (green artichoke)

Cynara scolymus, also known as green artichoke in Vietnam, is a plant native to Southern Europe, particularly around the Mediterranean. Ancient Greeks and Romans cultivated it for its edible flowers. . The plant can grow up to 1.5 to 2 meters tall, and its leaves are 50–80 cm long.

In the early 20th century, French settlers brought this plant to Vietnam. Nowadays, it thrives in places like Da Lat in Lam Dong Province, Sapa in Lao Cai Province, and Tam Dao in Vinh Phuc Province.

Hibiscus Sabdariffa (red artichoke)

Hibiscus sabdariffa, also known as red artichoke in Vietnam, is a flowering plant native to Africa. It’s an annual plant that typically reaches heights of 1.5 to 2 meters, sporting strikingly bright red flowers atop light purple stems. Thriving in hot and humid climates, it’s resilient even in nutrient-poor soil conditions. Vietnam’s climate is perfect for growing Hibiscus sabdariffa, which is why you’ll see it all over the country.

Note

In Vietnam, Hibiscus sabdariffa is often called ‘red artichoke,’ but that can be confusing. It’s not actually related to artichokes (which are Cynara scolymus). Hibiscus sabdariffa is a different plant entirely.

The colors and flavors of green artichoke tea and red artichoke tea

Green artichoke tea will exhibit a delicate golden yellow or light brown hue, while red artichoke tea features a vivid red reminiscent of cranberry juice.

The green artichoke tea has a naturally sweet and mild flavor. As for the red artichoke tea, it has a slightly tart taste, which becomes sweeter when mixed with sugar, and honey.

How to make Vietnamese artichoke tea

We’ll show you how Vietnamese people make artichoke tea from both green and red artichoke flowers.

Green artichoke tea

Green artichoke tea can be made from fresh or dried green artichoke flowers, or from green artichoke tea bags.

From fresh artichoke flowers

Vietnamese people wash fresh artichoke flowers, remove the old petals, cut the flowers in half or into quarters lengthwise, put them in a pot of water, and boil until the outer petals are easily pulled off. Then let it cool and scoop out the water to drink.

From dried artichoke flowers

Cut the artichoke in half and scoop out the fuzzy center (choke). Thinly slice the remaining artichoke and lay it flat to dry in the sun. This is how Vietnamese people traditionally make dried artichoke.

To brew dried artichoke tea, simply take a handful of dried artichoke and put it in a cup. Pour boiling water over it and let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, add honey and lemon juice to taste, stir, and enjoy!

From green artichoke tea bags

Image: Trà Cao Atiso Đà Lạt thương hiệu XUÂN VY

In Vietnam, artichoke tea bags are widely used because they’re convenient. Whenever we want to enjoy artichoke tea, we simply take 1 or 2 tea bags from the box, put them in a cup or teapot, pour boiling water over them, and wait 5-10 minutes. We can also add honey, lemon, ginger, or other ingredients to create different flavors.

Red artichoke tea

Like green artichoke tea, red artichoke tea can be made using fresh or dried flowers.

From fresh red artichoke flowers

To make red artichoke tea, Vietnamese people start with 4-5 fresh red artichoke flowers. We wash the flowers with warm water, then add them to a pot of water. We might also add a few slices of ginger, sugar, or honey. We bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Finally, we pour the tea into a cup and enjoy!

How to Make Vietnamese Hibiscus Flower Tea

From dried red artichoke flowers

Here’s how Vietnamese people traditionally prepare dried red artichoke flowers for tea: First, they carefully pick the best-looking flowers. Then, they remove the fuzzy center part, which is called the pistil. Next, they wash the flowers thoroughly to get rid of any dirt, bugs, or unwanted bits. Finally, the flowers are dried to become dried red artichoke tea.

To make dried red artichoke tea, Vietnamese people start with a cup of hot water. We add the red dried artichoke flowers to the water and let it steep for 5-10 minutes. Then, we might add a bit of honey or rock sugar to our cup, stir it up, and enjoy!

Health benefits of green and red artichokes

Health benefits of Cynara scolymus (green artichoke)

According to the Healthline website, Cynara scolymus offers a wealth of nutritional benefits. Low in fat and high in fiber, they are packed with essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, folate, phosphorus, and magnesium. Additionally, they may contribute to improving cholesterol levels, regulating blood pressure, and enhancing liver health. Their fiber content supports digestive health and may alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Furthermore, this plant is rich in antioxidants and has been linked to lowering blood sugar levels and exhibiting potential anticancer effects.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/artichoke-benefits

Health benefits of Hibiscus sabdariffa (red artichoke)

According to the Healthline website, Hibiscus sabdariffa is packed with antioxidants, making it a powerful addition to your wellness routine. Not only may it help lower blood pressure and improve blood fat levels, but it could also boost liver health and promote weight loss. Additionally, its compounds show potential in preventing cancer and inhibiting the growth of bacteria.