It is not an expensive medicine,
nor a modern wellness trend.
It is simply a leaf once used in everyday food —
the Nanzhu leaf.
A Plant That Became Part of Food Culture
Nanzhu leaves have been used in China for more than 1,500 years.
Traditionally, the leaves were boiled into a liquid,
which was then used to soak glutinous rice and create “Wufan.”
The rice would take on a naturally deep color,
somewhere between black and deep blue-green.
Over time, this practice became known as part of “Wufan culture.”
Why Was It Used for So Long?
Before modern nutrition existed,
many traditional food practices came from lived experience.
People observed:
- Which plants were suitable for long-term use
- Which foods helped maintain balance
- Which ingredients fit seasonal changes
Nanzhu became one of the plants preserved through generations.
It survived not because it was trendy,
but because it remained relevant to daily life.
From Forest Plant to Daily Tradition
For centuries, Nanzhu grew quietly in mountain environments.
People harvested the leaves seasonally,
boiled them, and used them to prepare food.
This reflected a distinctly Eastern approach to living:
not turning plants into something complicated,
but naturally integrating them into everyday life.
Why Are Young People Rediscovering It Today?
Modern lifestyles have become increasingly fast-paced.
As a result, many people are beginning to reconsider:
“What truly belongs in daily life long term?”
More people are reducing:
- Sugary beverages
- Highly processed foods
- Overstimulating eating habits
And turning toward:
- Botanical drinks
- Natural ingredients
- Gentler daily routines
Within this shift,
Wufan Tea has slowly returned to attention.
From a Bowl of Rice to a Cup of Tea
In the past,
people used Nanzhu leaves to prepare Wufan rice.
Today,
the same plant has become tea.
The form has changed,
but the relationship between people and plants remains the same.
People are still searching for something:
simple, natural,
and suitable for long-term daily life.
What This Leaf Preserved Was More Than History
Many plants disappear over time.
Many food traditions are forgotten.
Yet Nanzhu remained.
Perhaps not only because of the plant itself,
but because people still seek a closer connection to nature.
From 1,500 years ago until today,
some things
never truly left everyday life.
