Refreshing Omija Five-Flavor Berry Tea, Hot or Cold

Gently rinse the dried omija berries under cold water to remove any dust or impurities.

Place the rinsed omija berries in a large bowl or pitcher. Add 1 liter of cold water.

Let the berries steep in the cold water for at least 6-8 hours, or preferably overnight, in the refrigerator. Do not boil the berries, as this can make the tea bitter.

Carefully strain the omija tea through a fine-mesh sieve into another clean pitcher or bowl, pressing gently on the berries to extract all the liquid. Discard the spent berries.

Stir in maple syrup or honey to taste until fully dissolved. For hot tea, you can add a few slices of fresh ginger during the steeping process or simmer them briefly in a small amount of the strained tea.

To serve hot, gently warm the desired amount of tea in a saucepan (do not boil). To serve cold, pour over ice.

Garnish each serving with a few pine nuts and a slice of dried jujube, if desired.