{"id":"recipe_4f8e8daae6","slug":"korean-green-plum-tea-maesil-cha","title":"Korean Green Plum Tea (Maesil-cha)","description":"A refreshing and soothing traditional Korean tea made from fermented green plum syrup, renowned for its digestive benefits and delightful sweet-tart balance.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":3,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"3 tbsp Korean green plum syrup (Maesil-cheong)","name":"Green Plum Syrup","quantity":45,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"syrup","notes":"Maesil-cheong","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 cup water (hot or cold)","name":"Water","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"Hot or cold depending on preference","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"3-5 pine nuts","name":"Pine Nuts","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"For garnish","group":"Garnish","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"If serving hot, heat the water to approximately 80°C (176°F). If serving cold, prepare 1 cup (240ml) of chilled water and optional ice cubes.","group":"Preparation","title":"If serving hot, heat the water","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Pour 3 tbsp (45ml) of Korean green plum syrup into a tea cup or glass.","group":"Mixing","title":"Pour 3 tbsp of Korean green plum syrup","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Mixing"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the water to the syrup and stir thoroughly until the syrup is fully dissolved.","group":"Mixing","title":"Add the water to the syrup","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Mixing"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Garnish the top with 3-5 pine nuts. They will float on the surface, providing a classic look and a subtle nutty aroma.","group":"Serving","title":"Garnish the top with 3-5 pine nuts","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"Maesil-cha can be enjoyed hot to soothe the stomach or iced for a refreshing summer drink. It is a staple in Korean households as a natural digestive aid after meals.","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Korean"]},"course":["appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["noCook"],"equipment":["Teacup","Spoon"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat","low_sodium"],"allergens":["tree_nuts"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"cup","note":"Per individual serving"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The syrup mixture can be prepared in a large pitcher and kept in the fridge."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store the pure plum syrup in a cool, dark place or refrigerator for up to a year. Once mixed with water, consume within a few days.","reheatingNotes":"Can be gently reheated on the stove or microwave if a hot drink is preferred later."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_4f8e8daae6%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b71ad9b2-1c3b-4435-8c4e-87e17c768950","imageAlt":"Korean Green Plum Tea (Maesil-cha) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["healthy","digestive","plum","korean tea","traditional","non-alcoholic"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Korean Green Plum Tea (Maesil-cha)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T19:55:48.154Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T19:55:48.154Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_72d96930ee","slug":"classic-salted-edamame","title":"Classic Salted Edamame","description":"A quintessential East Asian snack of young soybeans in the pod, boiled to perfection and seasoned with flaky sea salt.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":8,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein","dairy_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_72d96930ee%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=8dbc9240-2dcf-4a42-af9f-fea6a6fa2d9d","imageAlt":"Classic Salted Edamame — recipe cover","tags":["edamame","soybeans","snack","healthy","high protein","vegan","japanese"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":3,"stepCount":4},{"id":"recipe_78c5c8b6a2","slug":"hojicha-japanese-roasted-green-tea","title":"Hojicha (Japanese Roasted Green Tea)","description":"A comforting, aromatic Japanese roasted green tea with toasted, nutty, and slightly smoky notes. Naturally lower in caffeine than standard green tea, it is perfect for relaxation and evening enjoyment.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":1,"cookMinutes":4,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":2},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","low_carb","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_78c5c8b6a2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c0d81c51-1a0d-4223-9836-fc7d631fb6eb","imageAlt":"Hojicha (Japanese Roasted Green Tea) — recipe cover","tags":["tea","japanese","roasted","low caffeine","hot drink"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":2,"stepCount":4},{"id":"recipe_ec6288b434","slug":"hot-and-sour-soup","title":"Hot and Sour Soup (酸辣湯)","description":"A classic, comforting East Asian soup that perfectly balances the heat of white pepper with the tang of black vinegar, filled with textures of silky tofu, crunchy bamboo shoots, and earthy mushrooms.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese"]},"course":["soup","appetizer"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_ec6288b434%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=301700b3-26d4-40c1-83b4-7da8431b02a9","imageAlt":"Hot and Sour Soup (酸辣湯) — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","sour","healthy","warm","traditional","tofu","mushrooms"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":12,"stepCount":6}]}