Chinese New Year is here and the Year of the Earth Boar promises a bountiful, auspicious year for everyone.
With the celebration going on full swing, our days are filled with visiting family and friends, attending open houses, eating feast after feast and, of course, receiving an endless stream of Mandarin oranges. These bright pops of orange are certainly a happy sight. Did you know that they represent “gold”? So, in effect, Mandarin oranges are symbolic of riches and, given as a gift, it is a wish for you to have a bountiful year.
As much as we love Mandarins and having fun spending time with friends and family, it can be a long and tiring week. What’s worse is, after the celebrations end, we often will find ourselves with so much leftovers that we do not know what to do with.
Chinese New Year Nightmare Surplus
Three days into Chinese New Year and I think many of us can still stomach the extra pineapple tarts and nian gao, but Mandarin oranges? I don’t think so! If you are the type that is resilient and determined, eating all the oranges, though impressive, might not be a good idea. Before you know it, you will be a few oranges away from a terrible sore throat and high fever.
Not really ideal for post-Chinese New Year fun, right?
Drink and Stay Young
This orange dilemma is something that you cannot avoid every year. With often boxes full of Mandarin oranges left over, make some changes this year. Instead of cordial drinks and tea, prepare a delicious Mandarin punch.
Besides, Mandarin oranges are packed with Vitamin C and something called hesperidin. In fact, Mandarin oranges contain more hesperidin than even oranges and lemons. What is that you ask? Pay attention now, hesperidin it works together with Vitamin C to support healthy collagen formation. In other words, Mandarin oranges can keep you looking and feeling young! Yay to less wrinkles!
With that as an incentive, let’s get juicing. If you’re bored of the straightforward Mandarin orange flavour, change it up with some spice. Here’s our interesting take on a Mandarin orange juice with the addition of ginger, star anise and cinnamon!
Ingredients
- 3 (2 cups) Mandarin oranges, peeled and juiced
- 250ml (1 cup) of water
- 1 star anise
- 3 slices of ginger
- 1/2 cinnamon stick
- 2 teaspoons of honey
- Ice
Method
- On medium heat, pour water into a pot. Add in the spices into the water and heat til the water comes to a boil. This will take about 10 minutes. Set aside.
- Divide the spiced water between two glasses. Put in some ice and pour the freshly squeezed mandarin juice over the ice.
- Stir in a teaspoon of honey in each glass and voila! It’s ready to be served.
Tips:
- To avoid your juice from being bitter, take out the seeds from the oranges before putting the orange slices into the juicer.
- Feel free to experiment and add a couple of other spices to the mix such as cloves.
- Turn this juice into a warm comforting drink. Once the spiced water has boiled for 10 minutes, turn off the heat and pour in the 2 cups of freshly squeezed Mandarin juice into the pot. Stir and pour into two glasses.
No More Orange Dilemma
Do you like the recipe? Don’t forget to share with your friends and family (if they are asking) so they can finish off their left over oranges too!
There are also so many other things you can do with Mandarin oranges. Make a refreshing fruit salad! Perhaps even a cake or jelly? Do share how you use your Mandarin oranges in cooking! Happy Chinese New Year everyone!