Associate Professor Doctor Nguyen Duy Thinh from the Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, stated that kumquats and chrysanthemums are popular decorative flowers and fruits during the Tet holiday. While they symbolize health, peace, and longevity, families should not reuse them after Tet, as they pose numerous health risks.

Decorative kumquats

Decorative kumquat trees often display beautiful, abundant, large, plump fruits, retaining color for a long time. This appearance results from a special cultivation process aimed solely at display, not consumption. Growers treat most decorative kumquat trees with various stimulants and preservatives to ensure they bear green fruits, ripe fruits, and flowers simultaneously—a desirable "four seasons" appearance. Many growers frequently use growth regulators or high-dose pesticides to keep the leaves and fruits pristine and pest-free. Furthermore, these kumquats are often sprayed until they are loaded onto vehicles for sale, unlike other fruits which have a required waiting period after chemical application.

Consuming decorative kumquats risks chemical accumulation, as pesticide residues can seep through their thin skin into the fruit pulp. While immediate poisoning may not occur, these residues will accumulate in the liver and kidneys over the long term, posing significant health concerns.

Therefore, you absolutely should not eat decorative kumquats or use them for honey infusions. If you wish to consume kumquats, it is best to grow one tree at home from the previous year to ensure its safe origin.

People cultivating decorative kumquats. Photo: Dac Thanh.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum tea offers a mild sedative effect, relaxing the nervous system and aiding in improved sleep. A warm cup of chrysanthemum tea in the evening can help reduce stress after days of irregular living, cleansing and detoxifying the body.

However, chrysanthemums displayed during Tet are often sprayed with chemicals to ensure uniform blooming and prolonged color retention. Drying these flowers and then brewing them for consumption poses numerous health hazards, as chemical residues can remain and accumulate.

If you wish to make chrysanthemum tea, purchase specialized products from reputable establishments to ensure your family's health safety.

Thuy An