The Season of Jujubes: Jujube Latte & Jujube Milkshake ｜ A Taste of Rich Jujube at a Songnisan Cafe
When autumn deepens, Boeun in Chungcheongbuk-do naturally comes to mind.
While it might not be the first fruit you think of like apples or grapes, when it comes to Boeun, jujubes (red dates) instantly steal the spotlight.
Especially around this time of year, taking a drive toward Songnisan reveals countless roadside stands selling fresh jujubes and a variety of delicious jujube-infused treats.
Lately, however, one particular menu item has been catching everyone's eye at cafes around Songnisan.
You might wonder how sweet jujubes and rich, creamy milk could possibly go together, but one sip is all it takes to realize they make an amazing match.
In fact, Boeun-gun has actively developed jujube beverages to enhance the economic value of local specialties and partnered with regional cafes, supporting the sale of unique drinks like jujube lattes, jujube milk tea, jujube ades, and jujube smoothies.
🍂 Why Do We Crave Boeun Jujubes in Autumn?
Boeun has long been famous across the country for its premium jujubes.
Fresh jujubes are delightfully crisp with a mild, apple-like sweetness, while perfectly ripe ones offer a soft flesh and a deep, concentrated flavor.
When dried jujubes are simmered in water, they transform into something entirely different from fresh ones.
Their sweetness deepens and their aroma becomes rich, making them the ultimate base for teas and specialty drinks.
That is why simply enjoying dried jujube tea has evolved into trendy cafe menu items like jujube lattes, jujube milk tea, jujube ades, and jujube smoothies.
Even in 2026, Boeun-gun continues to run various initiatives to elevate the value of jujubes, creatively reinterpreting traditional foods and desserts for modern tastes.
🥛 Who Knew a Jujube Latte Could Taste This Good?
To be honest, I wasn't actively hunting down jujube lattes either.
But during a trip to Songnisan, I happened to try one at Lotus Blossom Cafe.
The very first sip surprised me with an unexpectedly deep and rich jujube aroma.
When you hear about a jujube-flavored drink, you might expect a standard milky beverage with just a faint hint of flavor, but this latte was completely different.
“Rather than feeling like 'milk with a touch of jujube,' it felt like enjoying 'rich, concentrated jujube blended smoothly with milk.'”
I learned they use homemade, concentrated jujube extract, which explains why the flavor and aroma were so remarkably vivid and authentic.
Compared to other jujube drinks I’ve tried elsewhere, this one stood out for its incredible depth and flavor.
Of course, every cafe has its own recipe—varying the concentration, sweetness, and type of milk—so not all jujube lattes taste the exact same.
However, when made with properly prepared jujube extract, the natural deep sweetness of the fruit pairs wonderfully with the creamy smoothness of milk.
🍯 What Makes Jujubes So Special?
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Jujubes have long been a beloved ingredient in traditional Korean cuisine, featured in herbal teas, nutritious rice cakes (yaksik), samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), traditional sweets, and confectioneries.
Nutritionally, they are packed with carbohydrates, natural sugars, various vitamins, and essential minerals.
Official food safety databases provide detailed nutritional information—including calories, carbs, sugars, fats, proteins, minerals, and vitamins—for a wide range of natural and processed foods.
| Jujube Characteristics | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Natural Sweetness | Provides natural sweetness to beverages without needing excessive sugar |
| Distinctive Aroma | Adds a deep, warm depth of flavor to teas and lattes |
| Carbs & Natural Sugars | Good to monitor sweetness levels when crafting flavored drinks |
| Versatile Culinary Use | Easily adapted into teas, lattes, milk teas, smoothies, and desserts |
An important point to keep in mind is that just because a drink contains jujubes, it doesn’t automatically make it a low-calorie health drink.
Depending on how much milk, ice cream, syrup, or extra sugar is added, the calorie and sugar content can increase significantly.
If you are health-conscious, try to highlight the natural sweetness of the jujube itself while minimizing added sugars or syrups.
☕ How to Make a Rich Jujube Latte at Home
Making a cafe-style jujube latte at home is much easier than you might think.
The secret doesn't lie in espresso, but in how concentrated and rich you make your jujube extract.
Ingredients
- 10–15 dried jujubes
- 500–600ml water
- 200ml milk
- A touch of honey or allulose (optional)
- A tiny pinch of cinnamon powder (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse the dried jujubes thoroughly.
- Slice them in half and remove the pits to help extract a deeper flavor.
- Combine the jujubes and water in a pot and simmer over low heat.
- Once the jujubes become tender and the liquid turns a deep amber color, turn off the heat.
- Mash the jujubes and strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve to create a concentrated extract.
- Pour the jujube extract into a cup and top with warm, steamed milk.
- Add a tiny dash of honey or allulose to taste.
The secret to a great jujube latte isn't just using more jujubes, it's about concentration.
If you add too much water, the jujube flavor will get lost as soon as you mix it with milk.
“Think of it less like brewing a light tea, and more like crafting a thick, concentrated syrup.”
🍦 Jujube Milkshake: A Whole New Twist!
If a jujube latte offers a warm and cozy comfort, a jujube milkshake is a delightfully indulgent dessert.
Simple Jujube Milkshake Recipe
- 80–100ml concentrated jujube extract
- 150ml milk
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
- A few ice cubes
- 1–2 fresh or dried jujubes for garnish
Simply blend all the ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
The most surprising part is how well vanilla ice cream pairs with jujube.
The rich, deep sweetness of the jujube combined with sweet vanilla creates an unexpectedly fantastic flavor profile.
Top it with finely chopped jujubes or a light dusting of cinnamon for the ultimate autumn aesthetic.
🍂 Jujube Latte vs. Jujube Milkshake: Which One Suits You?
| Menu | Flavor Profile | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|
| Jujube Latte | Warm, aromatic jujube notes + rich, creamy milk | Fall & winter cozy cafe drink |
| Jujube Milkshake | Sweet, velvety, dessert-style richness | Sweet afternoon treats & desserts |
Personally, if you visit Songnisan in autumn, I highly recommend starting with a warm cup of jujube latte.
Sipping a hot jujube latte after a crisp mountain walk or a scenic drive captures the very essence of the season.
🏞️ Exploring Local Jujube Delights Around Songnisan
Songnisan is much more than just a place to hike and sightsee; it's a destination where you can experience unique local flavors and specialties.
In autumn, when jujubes are everywhere, you'll find yourself paying closer attention to local cafe menus.
“Jujube in a latte? Really?”
That was my initial thought, too—until I tried it and realized how naturally delicious the combination is.
It’s wonderful to see local regions like Boeun-gun actively promoting specialty crops by connecting them with creative cafe beverages.
Instead of just buying a bag of fresh jujubes to take home,
Jujube Desserts → Jujube Latte → Traditional Jujube Tea
Why not try comparing them all for a truly flavorful travel experience?
🔥 Something to Look Forward to as It Gets Colder
Talking about jujubes naturally reminds me of another favorite drink worth sharing.
That is Jujube Ssanghwacha (traditional herbal tea).
By blending heavily simmered jujube extract with traditional herbal ingredients, you get a completely different, deeply warming beverage.
When the weather turns chilly and brisk winds start blowing in the mornings and evenings, there is nothing quite like a traditional herbal tea to warm you up.
Boeun is also modernizing traditional treats like jujubegom (slow-cooked jujube paste), proving that ancient culinary techniques can be wonderfully reinvented today.
That’s why I’m planning to share a detailed guide on “How to Brew Rich Jujube Ssanghwacha at Home for Cold Days” soon.
🔔 Coming Up Next
The Ultimate Guide to Brewing Jujube Ssanghwacha at Home
How many jujubes to use,
Which herbal ingredients to include,
How to balance the natural sweetness,
And tips for making it smooth and delicious without bitterness—
Stay tuned for the full recipe in my next post!
Conclusion｜Jujubes Are More Versatile Than You Think
We usually associate jujubes with traditional tea or ingredients floating in chicken soup.
However, trying a jujube latte completely changed my perspective.
In particular, the rich jujube latte at Lotus Blossom Cafe in Songnisan wasn't just flavored with a hint of jujube—it delivered an authentic, concentrated depth of flavor that left a lasting impression.
If you visit Boeun or Songnisan during jujube season, picking up some fresh fruit is great, but I strongly recommend experiencing jujubes in creative new ways like a jujube latte or milkshake.
And when the weather cools down even further, a steaming cup of traditional jujube herbal tea will be waiting.
Jujube lattes for autumn, jujube herbal tea for winter.
Enjoying seasonal ingredients in new ways is truly one of life's simple pleasures.
※ Note
While jujubes are packed with healthy nutrients, beverages like jujube lattes and milkshakes can vary in calories and sugar depending on the amount of milk, ice cream, or syrup added. It's best to enjoy them in moderation as a delicious seasonal treat!
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