Herbal & Flower Teas
Golden Buckwheat & Goji Berry Tea
traditionally associated with supporting healthy blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu’s niece gave him a tin of golden buckwheat, and the first cup he brewed immediately impressed him with its clean, fragrant aroma. What looks like an ordinary grain tea is actually a processed form of bitter buckwheat — the variety that contains notably higher levels of bioflavonoids, rutin, and essential amino acids compared to sweet buckwheat. Combined with goji berries, this two-ingredient brew is an easy daily habit for those looking to support cardiovascular and metabolic wellness.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for adults looking to support healthy blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, as well as those who spend long hours looking at screens (supports eye health)
- People with low blood sugar should use caution — this tea may have a blood glucose-lowering effect
- Those with low blood pressure should also be cautious
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Bitter buckwheat (ku qiao mai): Contains rutin, bioflavonoids, and selenium; traditionally associated with supporting healthy blood glucose and lipid levels, antioxidant activity, and immune support. Also said to inhibit melanin formation, which may help prevent age spots and freckles
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): A classic tonic berry rich in zeaxanthin and polysaccharides; traditionally used to support liver and kidney function, eye health, and immune response
Ingredients (1 cup, re-steepable)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bitter / golden buckwheat tea | 1 tablespoon (~5 g) | Pre-processed; available as small formed pellets |
| Goji berries | 1/2 tablespoon (~5 g) | Rinse with cool boiled water first |
| Boiling water | ~300 ml |
Method
- Rinse goji berries briefly with cool boiled water; drain.
- Place the goji berries and buckwheat tea together in a cup or small teapot.
- Pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 5 minutes.
- Drink and re-steep until the flavour fades.
Bro Niu’s tips
In addition to supporting the three highs (blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids), this tea is also beneficial for declining vision — particularly for helping protect against macular degeneration. It can be drunk regularly. If you cannot find golden buckwheat tea (huang jin qiao mai), black buckwheat tea (hei ku qiao mai) is a similar option with good blood-sugar and lipid-supporting properties. The processed pellet form releases flavour more easily than raw buckwheat seeds, making it ideal for brewing as a tea.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (anonymous): What is the difference between golden buckwheat tea, raw buckwheat seeds, and black bitter buckwheat rice? Bro Niu: Raw buckwheat seeds are typically the sweet variety — they need soaking and cooking. Golden buckwheat tea is processed bitter buckwheat grown at around 1,500 feet elevation, shaped into small pellets that brew easily. Black bitter buckwheat grows above 2,500 feet in colder mountains, is rarer, and has slightly higher nutritional value — though the colour after hulling is not truly black, just a shade darker than golden buckwheat.
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Q (Sophia): I want to order online from overseas and the packaging says “Buckwheat.” Is that the bitter variety? Bro Niu: “Buckwheat tea” refers to the bitter buckwheat tea (ku qiao mai cha).
Published April 16, 2018 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
