Winter Melon Tea
Winter melon tea is a popular, refreshing beverage in Taiwan, made by simmering winter melon with sugar to create a sweet, dark concentrate, which is then diluted with water or tea. It is commonly served cold over ice and is a staple at night markets, tea shops, and street stalls across the island.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This drink is high in carbohydrates, primarily from added sugar, and provides minimal protein or fat. A key nutrient is potassium from the winter melon itself, and a typical serving contains roughly 100-150 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 120 kcal |
| Protein | 0.5 g |
| Carbs | 30 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugar | 28 g |
| Sodium | 20 mg |
| Potassium | 150 mg |
| Vitamin C | 5 mg |
| Calcium | 15 mg |
| Magnesium | 8 mg |
| Phosphorus | 10 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it is a beloved traditional summer drink believed in Chinese medicine to have a 'cooling' effect on the body. Nutritionally, while the sugar content is high, the winter melon base provides hydration and electrolytes like potassium.
