Gou Zao (Hovenia dulcis) — Dried Japanese Raisin Tree Fruit for Herbal Tea & Soup

Gou Zao (Hovenia dulcis), also known as Japanese Raisin Tree fruit and Wàn Shòu Guǒ (万寿果, "Longevity Fruit"), is the naturally sun-dried fruit of a traditional food herb known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Guǎi Zǎo (拐枣). For centuries, Gou Zao has been prized as a sweet, moistening, and gently warming fruit used to support the Liver, ease the spirit, and harmonize the stomach. Its nature is sweet and neutral with a slight warmth, making it a gentle yet nourishing ingredient for daily teas, soups, and seasonal tonics.

Key Selling Points

• Traditional food herb also called Longevity Fruit
• Naturally sun-dried Hovenia dulcis fruit
• Sweet, gently warming nature and flavor
• Suitable for herbal tea, soup, and decoction
• Clean 500g pack, no additives

Quality & Sensory

Each batch is naturally sun-dried to preserve its deep amber-brown color, wrinkled yet plump texture, and mild honeyed aroma. When decocted or brewed, the fruit releases a gentle, raisin-like sweetness with a soft, rounded mouthfeel, adding warmth and body to teas and broths without overpowering other ingredients.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Herbal tea blends
• Chinese-style soup and broth
• Congee and grain porridge
• Seasonal slow-cooking
• Traditional decoction ingredient

Traditional Uses

In folk herbal practice, Gou Zao is decocted into soups, congee, and gentle tonics to support daily nourishment and ease the spirit. It is a common ingredient in autumn and winter soup packs, where it pairs with ingredients like jujube, goji berry, and ginger. As a tea, it is brewed alone or blended with chrysanthemum and wolfberry for a light, mildly sweet infusion.

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