New Viral Trend: Boiled Apple Tea

A recent trend on TikTok has users boiling apples and infusing them in hot drinks, claiming significant health benefits. This drink, often referred to as “boiled apple tea” or “boiled apple water,” has seen an incredible surge in popularity, attracting hundreds of thousands of interactions in just a few weeks.

The process involves boiling chopped apples in water, resulting in a warm apple-infused beverage. People often enhance the flavor with spices like cloves, honey, cinnamon, and lemon zest. The drink’s name, “Chinese bad guy tea,” reflects its roots in traditional Chinese medicine.

Some enthusiasts have adapted the recipe further, adding ingredients such as red dates, goji berries, longan, and dried tangerine peels to stay true to traditional Chinese cuisine.

Fans of the drink tout various benefits. They claim it can improve digestive health, enhance bowel movements, and even promote clearer skin. Comments on TikTok highlight these perceived advantages, with one user exclaiming, “Looks delicious! Let’s add cinnamon sticks and hibiscus.” Another described it as, “very delicious,” sharing their personal twist with allspice, ground cloves, honey, and chamomile tea.

While many rally behind the trend, some viewers are a bit puzzled. Questions like, “Do you eat a slice after drinking the tea?” and concerns over whether boiling apples diminishes their nutritional value have popped up in viral videos. Another skeptic remarked on social media that, “It’s just fiber,” indicating they believe the tea might not be as effective as advertised.

Emma Drooks, a California-based content creator, has embraced the trend. She says she’s been enjoying the tea nightly for about a month and has noticed positive changes, including improved digestion and reduced puffiness in her skin. She describes the flavor as warm, likening it to a natural apple cinnamon tea.

Nutritionally, apples are known for their soluble fiber content, particularly pectin, which helps support gut health and regular digestion. According to Heather Finley, a registered dietitian, some of this beneficial fiber can leach into the water when boiling apples, which might lead to a milder digestive experience.

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that nutritionists like Finley caution against oversimplifying the drink’s benefits. For lasting improvements in health, she suggests a balanced approach to diet and lifestyle, emphasizing consistent nutrient intake and addressing other factors like stress and gut health.

Jenelle Kim, an acupuncture and Chinese medicine physician, also adds her perspective. She encourages using fresh apples and treating the drink as a moment for mindfulness rather than a cure-all. “Pay attention to how your body responds,” she advises, emphasizing that genuine health is built on small, consistent self-care practices.