Preserved Fruit Tea

Preserved Fruit Tea

　　   Preserved Fruit Tea originated in the Dong Autonomous County of Tongdao, Hunan Province. In Tongdao, Preserved Fruit Tea is known as "artistic tea." The Han women in the Dong villages of Tongdao have a traditional custom of making preserved fruit. The ingredients for preserved fruit come in two types: pomelo and winter melon. Skillful women use specially designed preserved fruit knives to carve the ingredients into various patterns such as flowers, birds, insects, and fish. Then, they need to boil them together with copper and alum, add sugar, and dry them in the sun. When guests visit, simply place three or four slices in a cup, add sugar, and pour in boiling water.