Grass Jelly (Cincau): What It Is, Health Benefits & How to Use It in Bubble Tea

Grass jelly (also known as cincau, 仙草, or xiancao) is one of the most popular bubble tea toppings in Asia — and it's rapidly gaining fans in Australia. This dark, slightly herbal jelly adds a refreshing, mildly bitter contrast to sweet milk tea. Here's everything you need to know.

What Is Grass Jelly?

Grass jelly is made from the Platostoma palustre plant (also called Mesona chinensis), a member of the mint family native to Southeast Asia. The plant's stems and leaves are boiled with potassium carbonate, then cooled to form a firm, dark jelly with a distinctive herbal flavour.

In Taiwan and China, grass jelly is a staple ingredient in bubble tea, shaved ice desserts, and herbal drinks. It's valued both for its unique taste and its traditional health properties.

Health Benefits of Grass Jelly

• Low calorie — Plain grass jelly is very low in calories (around 30 kcal per 100g), making it one of the healthiest bubble tea toppings
• Cooling properties — In Traditional Chinese Medicine, grass jelly is considered a "cooling" food, perfect for hot weather
• High in fibre — Contains dietary fibre from the plant material
• Antioxidants — The Mesona plant contains polyphenols and other antioxidant compounds
• No fat, gluten-free — Suitable for many dietary requirements

How to Make Grass Jelly from Powder

For bubble tea shops, making grass jelly from grass jelly powder is the most practical and cost-effective approach:

1. Mix powder with cold water — Dissolve grass jelly powder in cold water (follow package ratio, typically 1:15)
2. Bring to boil — Heat the mixture while stirring constantly until it reaches a full boil
3. Pour into container — Transfer to a flat container or tray
4. Cool and set — Allow to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate. It will firm up as it cools
5. Cut and serve — Cut into small cubes or use a jelly cutter for consistent pieces

Pro tip for shops: Make a large batch each morning. Grass jelly keeps well refrigerated for 2-3 days, so you can prep in advance.

How Grass Jelly Is Used in Bubble Tea

Grass Jelly Milk Tea

The most popular pairing — creamy milk tea with cubed grass jelly. The herbal bitterness of the jelly balances the sweetness of the milk tea perfectly. This is a menu staple at shops like Tiger Sugar and Gong Cha.

Grass Jelly with Brown Sugar

Drizzle brown sugar syrup over grass jelly cubes in milk tea for an Instagram-worthy tiger stripe effect and extra sweetness.

Herbal Tea with Grass Jelly

Traditional approach — serve grass jelly in herbal tea or honey water for a lighter, healthier drink option.

Ready-Made vs DIY Grass Jelly

• Canned grass jelly — Ready to open and serve. Convenient for low-volume shops or getting started
• Grass jelly powder — More cost-effective for high-volume shops. Fresher taste, customisable firmness
• Fresh grass jelly — Made from the actual plant. Rare in Australia due to ingredient availability

Where to Buy Grass Jelly in Australia

UTea supplies both canned grass jelly and grass jelly powder at wholesale prices for Australian businesses. Whether you need ready-to-serve or DIY options, we've got you covered.

Browse our jelly toppings collection for grass jelly, coconut jelly, and other jelly toppings.