YIN/YANG Placemat Collection
Traditional Chinese Medicine is interwoven with the principles of harmony and equipoise, using herbal ingredients to balance yin and yang within the body. The YIN/YANG Placemat collection derives inspiration from this ancient practice, while expanding on our original 2021 design based on Southeast Asian taxi seat covers.
Made with wooden beads resembling Chinese medicinal grains and fruit, our YIN/YANG placemats bring a natural sense of energy and serenity to the home. In the same spirit, we’ve included a TCM recipe with each placemat, so you can make a sweet and nourishing tonic at home.
Barley 薏米
The Barley placemat, with its black and tan beads, evokes Chinese pearl barley with its creamy body and dark, grooved centre. Also known as Job’s tears, the grain is thought to be cooling, and provides hydration.
Recipe
Serves 2.
Barley water is often used to treat heatstroke and dehydration in the summer. Taken hot or cold, it’s deeply thirst quenching, and considered to be a cooling and replenishing drink. This infused version is beloved by the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia, with pandan adding fragrance and candied winter melon adding sweetness and fruitiness. You can leave them out or get creative with additional flavourings of your choice.
Ingredients:
- Dried Chinese pearl barley, 50g
- Pandan leaf, 1 knotted
- Candied winter melon, 25g
- Rock sugar
Steps:
- Rinse the barley.
- Add the barley, pandan leaf and candied winter melon to a pot with 500ml of water.
- Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat.
- Lower heat and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. The barley should be soft, but have a slight chew, and the water should turn cloudy.
- Add and dissolve rock sugar to taste.
- Serve warm or chilled. You can drink the liquid and eat the cooked barley.
