Burdock Tea (Tekkan)
Burdock Tea, known as Tekkan or Gobō-cha in Japan, is a traditional herbal beverage made by simmering dried, shredded burdock root in water. It is a simple, earthy drink with a mild, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor, often enjoyed for its health benefits.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This tea is virtually calorie-free and contains no significant macronutrients like carbs, fat, or protein. Its primary nutritional value comes from water-soluble minerals and antioxidants extracted from the burdock root, such as potassium and manganese.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 5 kcal |
| Protein | 0.1 g |
| Carbs | 1.2 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0.3 g |
| Sugar | 0.1 g |
| Potassium | 45 mg |
| Manganese | 0.1 mg |
| Magnesium | 3 mg |
| Iron | 0.1 mg |
| Phosphorus | 4 mg |
| Calcium | 3 mg |
| Inulin (prebiotic fiber) | trace |
| Antioxidants (e.g., polyphenols) | variable |
Per 1 cup (240 ml) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, burdock root is a staple in Japanese home cooking and folk medicine, believed to aid digestion and purify the blood. Nutritionally, it is a unique source of inulin, a prebiotic fiber that supports gut health, even though most of it remains in the root rather than the tea.
