Why does a houttuynia americano taste bitter and fishy?

Nowwa, a coffee chain brand, partnered with houttuynia cordata mixture brand Jindi to release a houttuynia cordata americano, and the drink has split opinions. Houttuynia cordata, also called fish mint root, carries a fishy, bitter aroma that people either accept or reject outright. The beverage itself contains no medicinal ingredients, only fresh chopped houttuynia cordata and lemon slices steeped into an americano, and customers report an unmistakable herbal note in the cup.

The bitterness is not a flaw in the coffee so much as a clash of flavors. An americano already has a bitter, roasty edge, and adding houttuynia cordata layers a sharp herbal and fishy quality on top of it, which is why some drinkers put the cup down after one sip while others dig out the herbs and chew them. Social media reaction has ranged from complaints to curiosity-driven orders.

The coffee chain brand Nowwa recently teamed up with Houttuynia cordata mixture brand Jindi to launch a houttuynia cordata americano, and the news immediately took many netizens by surprise. Houttuynia cordata, also known as fish mint root, has a distinctive fishy and bitter aroma that has always divided people into love-it-or-hate-it camps. Is this special drink the real deal or just a gimmick? Judging from feedback on social media, the drink contains no medicinal ingredients—only fresh chopped houttuynia cordata and lemon slices—but the steeped americano still carries an unmistakable herbal flavor. Some people took one sip and exclaimed they "almost got carried off," while others finished it and fished out the herbs from the bottom of the cup to chew on slowly, raving about the buzz. This article walks you through the real taste of this collaboration coffee, customer reviews, and the brand's drinking reminders.

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Recently, the chain brand Nowwa launched a houttuynia cordata americano, and this unconventional pairing shocked many people while also sparking intense curiosity among netizens.

Speaking of houttuynia cordata, some may not be very familiar with it and have only heard it's a Chinese herbal medicine that clears heat and detoxifies. But once you call it "fish mint root," many people will immediately think of that "fishy, stinky, and bitter" taste and recall their experience of being put off by it.

The houttuynia cordata americano from Nowwa is actually a collaboration product created with houttuynia cordata mixture brand Jindi. Jindi is best known for its compound houttuynia cordata mixture, which many consider an effective "cold remedy."

So when a coffee brand and an oral medicine brand joined forces to launch this special coffee, netizens were surprised but also couldn't resist the urge to take on the challenge, placing orders one after another to taste what the dreaded houttuynia cordata would actually be like.

Judging from social media posts, the drink customers receive looks no different from a regular americano, and it contains no medicines like compound houttuynia cordata mixture—just some fresh chopped houttuynia cordata pieces and lemon slices. Some netizens speculated based on appearance that although chopping houttuynia cordata releases juices, its main role is probably decorative, and its impact on the overall flavor is likely minimal.

However, those who know the power of houttuynia cordata believe the brand was already very considerate by only chopping it up rather than grinding it into powder and adding it to the drink, out of concern for consumer acceptance. Those who have tried it agree, saying that even with just chopped houttuynia cordata pieces in the americano, after prolonged steeping the drink takes on a distinctive odor, and once it hits the mouth it's bitter and fishy beyond description.

Many people said after trying it that they couldn't manage a second sip: "The number one torture in the beverage world," "Like an Italian seeing pineapple pizza," "Managing not to spit it out is already impressive," "One sip almost sent me to the afterlife," "How can there be such a weird coffee."

But the charm of houttuynia cordata lies precisely in this: those who hate it flee at the smell, while those who love it are completely hooked. The same goes for the houttuynia cordata americano—fish mint root lovers finish it and, still craving more, open the lid and pick out the herbs sunk at the bottom to chew slowly, fully savoring this adventurous drink.

Some people currently suffering from the flu felt their sore throats seemed to ease after trying it, and also got a refreshing, mind-clearing effect from the terrible taste of houttuynia cordata. Seen this way, although the houttuynia cordata americano is hard to stomach, its use of real ingredients delivers an unusual effect, offering flu sufferers at least a bit of comfort—better than nothing.

The brand also reminds consumers that houttuynia cordata has certain medicinal effects, and those curious enough to try it should judge whether it suits them based on their own condition, so as not to cause other problems out of a moment's curiosity.

Image source: Xiaohongshu

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