In Guangdong, the Ultimate Destination of Coffee Shops is Herbal Tea Houses!

While others experience warm March weather with blooming flowers and pleasant temperatures, Guangdong in March means scorching sun and 30-degree heat. Under such conditions, Guangdong locals typically complain about being "damp and hot," suffering from "excessive internal heat," developing "mouth ulcers," or experiencing other heat-related discomforts. Then, you can always hear family members saying: "I've brewed herbal tea, come drink it quickly!" or "I've made dampness-removing soup, drink several more bowls!" or "Why drink coffee in such hot weather? Drink herbal tea instead!"

As stubborn Guangdong coffee enthusiasts, how could we let a little dampness, heat, or internal warmth stop our passion for coffee! Even when there's no actual coffee, we must maintain the ritual of coffee drinking!

Guangdong's March Limited Edition: Iced Herbal Coffee Specialties

Recently, coffee shop owners across Guangdong have begun selling a special March limited edition that would make both Guangdong mothers and coffee lovers fall silent – Iced Cantonese Herbal Coffee! Pour-over Xiasangju! Herbal "Espresso" Grains! Some even create bases that reflect the unique herbal tea traditions of different Guangdong regions, making them more locally authentic.

Iced Cantonese (ICE Cantono)

Iced Cantonese typically uses pure herbal tea (Bansha tea in the Guangzhou area) as its base, mixed with ice cubes made from filtered Pearl River Delta water. This creates a refreshing, heat-relieving, dampness-expelling beverage that might also have a laxative effect. Before serving, customers can choose to add nine-processed tangerine peel or licorice plum strips (colloquially known as "nose candy") as garnish, or enjoy it plain to taste the original flavor.

Xiasangju Pour Over

Undoubtedly, this is a herbal tea made by pouring water through 20g of Xiasangju granules at a 1:10 ratio. Due to the high extraction rate, which extracts 100% of soluble substances from the granules, the water temperature typically only needs to be controlled around 40 degrees Celsius. After extraction, the herbal tea liquids of different concentrations in the pot should be shaken well before tasting.

Herbal Espresso

This one differs from the other two! Since the soul of espresso lies in its crema, this herbal "espresso" made with Banlangen (Isatis root) requires exceptionally finely ground coffee powder. After the coffee powder is carefully distributed and evenly tamped, 10g of Banlangen granules are added and distributed evenly on the surface using a distributor before extraction with a pressurized espresso machine.

These can also be made into special iced herbal coffee beverages, adding chrysanthemum, goji berries, licorice, and other ingredients to the iced herbal water according to personal preference!

We must admit, being a coffee enthusiast in Guangdong during March is truly challenging! To comfort themselves, they can't forget to enjoy herbal tea using coffee preparation methods!

However! Jokes aside, these herbal teas/herbal coffee beverages can easily cause severe gastrointestinal contractions and associated pain after consumption! So just admire them from afar! Never try them recklessly!!

Remember!

Do not attempt these Guangdong March specialty drinks lightly!!!

Image credits: Various social media platforms, the creativity of Guangdong baristas, and photography!

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style)

For more specialty coffee beans, please add FrontStreet Coffee on WeChat: kaixinguoguo0925

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473