Stir-fried in a large pot for ten hours into sugar — Kaohsiung winter melon tea leaves a sweet aftertaste

Reported and photographed by You T-Ru / Kaohsiung

Taiwan’s traditional beverage “winter melon tea” is considered one of the summer’s ultimate thirst-quenchers. Originating from the Japanese colonial era, this tea was regarded by the older generation as a health drink that could relieve internal heat and reduce swelling. In the eyes of modern consumers, it helps reduce facial puffiness and eliminate excess water. In the narrow alleys of Yancheng District, Kaohsiung, there is a shop that makes winter melon tea fresh on-site. Nestled in a small lane, anyone passing by can smell the fragrant aroma of the owner hand-stirring the winter melon sugar non-stop.


▲In Yancheng District, Kaohsiung, there is a shop that makes winter melon tea fresh on-site — the sweet fragrance wafts out even as you walk past.

“The winter melon sugar sold outside often isn’t drinkable,” says Chen Jiatang, owner of Tianchi Winter Melon Tea. Winter melon sugar found in supermarkets and stores often contains artificial additives, resulting in an overly sweet and cloying taste. Not only does it fail to deliver the refreshing effect of winter melon, but it also leaves a dry sensation in the throat. For this reason, Chen Jiatang developed his own techniques for making winter melon sugar. Starting with raw winter melon and adding brown sugar, he simmers, boils, and strains the mixture. Throughout the process, Chen continuously stirs the large pot of winter melon sugar until it crystallizes into blocks, ready to be used for brewing — only then is it ready to sell.


▲All the various tea varieties in the store are personally brewed by owner Chen Jiatang.


▲Winter melon sugar that has been stirred until it forms sugar blocks.

 
▲Tianchi Winter Melon Tea’s winter melon tea has a delicate fragrance and leaves a sweet aftertaste.

Unlike commercial winter melon sugar bricks, Tianchi Winter Melon Tea’s version is not just sweet without being cloying — the tea also carries a subtle, natural sweetness. It feels smooth on the palate at first sip, followed by a fragrant, lingering sweetness that rises from the throat, completely different from typical overly sweet flavors. “We really put our heart into simmering every pot of winter melon sugar to achieve this flavor,” says Chen Jiatang. Though the process of boiling winter melon sugar is time-consuming and labor-intensive, the fragrance emitted as the sugar slowly develops is so comforting you can feel it just by smelling it.

Besides the signature winter melon tea, Chen Jiatang also recommends the shop’s black tea with milk. Made with high-quality tea leaves and homemade molasses, this small cup of milk tea delivers a slight astringency from the tea, the natural sweetness of the molasses, and the rich aroma of milk — the three elements complement each other beautifully, creating a surprisingly delightful taste.


▲In addition to the signature winter melon tea, there are also options like black tea, green tea, and milk tea.

Tianchi Winter Melon Tea
Address: No. 113, Xinle Street, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: (07)551-7165