TCM Fortune Cookies for Special Moments
A Talk From the Perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Mobility is a key component of well-being and quality of life—at any age. Whether in daily life, during sports, or on a simple walk: when muscles and joints function well, the body feels lighter, freer, and more capable.
In this lecture, you’ll learn how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes a holistic view of muscles and joints. The focus isn’t just on the symptom, but on the interplay of energy flow, blood circulation, and inner balance. You’ll gain valuable insights into the potential causes of tension and discomfort—and how to support your body naturally.
BASIC DOUGH (Sablés)
1. Ingredients (approx. 50 small cookies)
- 500 g flour
- 260 g butter
- 260 g sugar
- 2 eggs
2. Preparation
- Let the butter soften in advance (at room temperature)
- Prepare any additional ingredients as needed
- Preheat the oven to 180 °C (top/bottom heat)
3. Make the dough
- Mix the butter and sugar and beat until creamy (do not beat until foamy)
- Add the eggs and mix well until a homogeneous mixture forms
- Add the flour
- Incorporate the add-ins according to the type (some directly into the dough / some for decorating the cookies)
- Knead by hand into a smooth, homogeneous dough
4. Resting Time
- Shape the dough into a ball
- Wrap it in plastic wrap
- Let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour
Quick Tip: For classic round sablés, shape the dough into a long roll of the desired size and place it directly in the refrigerator.
5. Roll out & flavor
- Roll out the dough to a maximum thickness of 5 mm
- Sprinkle the surface generously with the remaining herb mixture
- Gently press in with a rolling pin (roll over it 1–2 times)
Quick tip: Remove the dough log directly from the refrigerator and slice it with a knife.
6. Optional (for shine)
Brush the cookies with egg yolk before baking
7. Baking
- Bake at 180 °C
- Approx. 10 minutes
Important:
- Do not bake for too long
- Remove as soon as they turn a light golden brown
8. Cooling
- Immediately remove the cookies from the baking sheet using the parchment paper
- Let cool completely on a wire rack
mei gui hua (Chinese rose petals) & gou qi zi (goji berries)
A harmonious, slightly floral blend with a delicate sweetness and warm character.
Ingredients (approx. 50 small cookies)
- 30–40 g goji berries (gou qi zi)
- 20–30 g Chinese rose petals (mei gui hua)
Preparation
- Chop the dried gou qi zi into small pieces using a kitchen food processor (universal chopper, grinder).
- Remove the stems from the rose petals by hand so that only the petals remain (discard the leaves, seeds, and stems). Grind half of them into a fine powder. Rub the other half apart slightly with your fingers, but leave them recognizable.
Character
Gentle, well-rounded, and heartwarming – with a wonderfully delicate rose note.
chen pi (mandarin peel) & lan gui (cinnamon)
Warming, spicy, and a wonderful accompaniment to tea or a cozy chat.
Ingredients (approx. 50 small cookies)
- 15–20 g dried mandarin peel (chen pi)
- 10–20 g cinnamon (lan gui)
Preparation
- Grind the chen pi very finely (using a mortar and pestle) and use only the powder in the cookies – sprinkle the coarser pieces onto the dough.
- Break the cinnamon sticks and grind them finely as well—use the powder in the cookies—sprinkle the coarser pieces onto the dough.
Character
Warm, aromatic, and wonderfully soothing – almost a bit like “TCM Christmas.”
hei zhi ma (black sesame) & Cashews
A nutty, lightly toasted version with a delicate crunch.
Ingredients (approx. 50 small cookies)
- 40–50 g black sesame seeds (hei zhi ma)
- 50–60 g cashews (or ground almonds or macadamia nuts)
Preparation
- Black sesame (hei zhi ma): Finely grind half and add the other half to the dough.
- 50–60 g cashews: Coarsely chop and add to the dough.
Happy Smile Blend
This special variation is based on our “Happy Smile” tea blend combined with dried longan fruit – a fragrant combination of traditional ingredients with a gentle, harmonious character.
Ingredients (approx. 50 small cookies)
- 40–50 g Xiao Xiao Cha – Happy Smile Tea
- 50–60 g dried longan fruit (long yan rou)
Preparation
- Pick out the rose blossoms from the tea blend and remove the stems by hand so that only the petals remain (remove leaves, seeds, and stems). Then coarsely grind the tea blend in a grinder.
- Chop the dried longan fruit into small pieces using a household food processor (universal chopper, grinder).
A little inspiration from TCM cuisine
The ingredients used are rooted in TCM and have been valued there for centuries. Our cookies are meant to be a culinary inspiration and a delightful treat for special moments – not a health recommendation or therapeutic treatment.
Or to put it another way: Maybe not healthy in the traditional sense… but definitely good for the heart, the soul, and for a little smile now and then.
