涼茶 Herbal tea

As one of the first remedies to be reached for in the event of a cold, sore throat or even acne, herbal tea is a quintessential part of Hong Kong life. Many herbal teas are believed to expel heat from the body, which makes them a popular way to combat the sticky humidity of the Hong Kong climate. ‘Bitter 24 Varieties’, Love Pea-Vine Tea and Mixed Herb Tea are just some of the more popular types, and are believed to help alleviate everything from bad breath to liver disease.

Traditionally, herbal teas are sold at specialised herbal tea shops, which also often serve health tonics. These shops can still be found in Hong Kong; Kung Lee has been serving patrons in Central since 1948, as has the 100-year-old Good Spring Company. Due to the popularity of herbal teas in Hong Kong, they can also be found in countless plastic bottles on the shelves of supermarkets, sharing space with the world’s most popular soft drinks.

Hong Kong Tourism Board, "Chinese Tea", http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/culture-heritage/living-culture/chinese-tea.jsp, accessed on 21 July 2019