When traveling to Xinjiang, it is recommended to try Xinjiang specialty teas such as milk tea, medicinal tea, Sanpaotai, mint tea, etc.?
Xinjiang has a vast territory and a diverse population of ethnic groups, each with its own unique dietary habits and lifestyles. Tea, as an indispensable part of the local people’s daily life, not only has a strong local flavor but also contains rich nutritional value and medicinal effects. Here are several recommended specialty teas from Xinjiang:?
Milk Tea: Xinjiang’s milk tea has a thick milk skin that is not greasy, with prominent tea aroma and moderate saltiness. Some also add butter to add a rich fragrance. Authentic Xinjiang milk tea can be tasted at places like Yining Yixiang Butter Milk Tea House.?
Medicinal Tea: Brewed from various medicinal ingredients such as cistanche, goji berries, and American ginseng, it smells fragrant with a faint medicinal taste. It tastes slightly sweet and bitter, leaving a slight sweetness after drinking. Akasiya Tea Restaurant is a good place to taste Xinjiang medicinal tea.?
Sanpaotai: Using Yunnan tea as the base, supplemented with Xinjiang’s native red dates, walnuts, and yellow rock sugar, the sweetness is doubled. Finally, Ningxia goji berries are added, and boiling water is poured in. After covering the teapot, a bowl of rich and layered Sanpaotai is ready. This tea can be tasted at places like Wuwuzi Lamb Restaurant in Urumqi.?
Mint Tea: Based on Yunnan wild black tea, paired with Hetian Pishan fire chrysanthemum and peppermint from the Yili River Valley in Xinjiang, the tea has a soft taste and a refreshing aroma. Yuanfang Hutong is a good place to taste Xinjiang mint tea.?
In addition, Xinjiang also has various specialty flower teas such as Kunlun chrysanthemum, Xueju, Hetian rose, and Lop Nur tea, as well as unique tea varieties like Hami melon dew, Qinhong tea, and Bikong tea, all of which are worth trying.?
In general, when traveling to Xinjiang, it is worthwhile to taste the local specialty teas and experience the tea culture and unique flavors of Xinjiang.?