How to make Korean Barley Tea

I. Introduction

Korean barley tea is a beverage made with roasted barley and water. Buy pre-roasted barley grains from a Korean / Asian grocery store or roast barley yourself at home. If you have little time to spare, you can buy roasted barley tea bags quicker. You can have the tea both hot and cold.

Barley tea does not contain any tea leaves. It is also not a herbal tea, but a tisane made of roasted grains. It is an infusion made from the roasted seeds of the barley plant. The grain has high fiber content and a mild taste. In Korea, it is called boricha. 

Barley tea has a mild flavor consisting of a toasty flavor with bitter undertones. Due to the roasted corn, there is an increase in the sweetness of barley tea. Barley tea is caffeine-free and produces a golden color similar to honey.

Barley tea can provide multiple health benefits, from preventing cancer to cleansing blood and boosting your immune system. During summer or winter, it helps you relax and refresh.

Barley tea contains a range of vitamins, nutrients, and biological compounds with positive health benefits. Barley tea contains vitamins A and C, antioxidants that eliminate free radicals, and amino acids and melatonin that aid overall health (Pharmacytimes.com).

Korean barley tea helps your digestive system by relieving the symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux disease. Barley grains contain high fiber, to reduce constipation and increase healthy bowel movements. The chances are high that you will not have stomach cramps and nausea. For better results, drink a cup of barley tea 30 minutes before each meal.

Barley tea contains large amounts of vitamin C for your immune system. It fights diseases, speeds up recovery from colds and flu, and increases the production of white blood cells that fight infections. Barley tea also contains antioxidants that eliminate free radicals that can cause cell death. It protects you from cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

Drinking barley tea can help improve blood flow and circulation. The risk of cardiovascular illnesses such as blood clots and heart attacks is minimized. The risk of blood clots decreases when consuming barley tea. Blood clots can cause heart attacks and even death (Nhs.uk). Roasted barley tea is one of the most popular beverages in Korea. It is served in restaurants, at home, and at other gatherings.

Barley tea contains antioxidants and polyphenols that can prevent teeth from decaying and Plaque build-up that can lead to cavities being blocked. The tooth decay-fighting powers of barley tea come from the roasting process of the seeds.

Barley tea contains several compounds, including melatonin and tryptophan for you to sleep better. Barley tea also contains melatonin, for a restful night’s sleep. Higher levels of barley tea increased sleepiness and calm.

Barley tea is a low-calorie drink that can be a delicious alternative to plain water. It reduces sugary drinks. Barley tea’s low sugar content means diabetics should not worry. It also helps fertility in men. Drinking barley tea can aid in fertility. To get these health benefits, consume barley tea regularly.

II. Ingredients

Roasted barley 

Barley tea has a woody, nutty flavor due to the roasted barley. Sometimes, it produces a slightly bitter aftertaste. People often drink barley tea without anything else, but some add fruit juice or other mild sweeteners. You can buy your roasted barley online on Amazon or roast it yourself. Barley is available in most grocery stores, so you will not struggle to find it. Different forms of barley are available, but in this case, roasted barley works best in barley tea.

To roast barley, preheat a skillet over low heat. Add the barley and stir around until it browns. It takes about 10 to 12 minutes. Roasted barley comes from Roasted Barley is a roasted, unmalted barley grain with a full, roasted aroma. Roast Barley is a dark grain that gives a flavor similar to bitter roast coffee. Roast barley balances your tea. 

Water

Use boiled water when making tea with roasted barley. Use a tea strainer container to get rid of the barley when serving your tea. Remove the roasted barley from the kettle and sieve the grains. 

III. Preparation

1. Boil the water in a kettle or pot until boiling. The water has to be filtered and set the water temperature to 200F.
2. Add the roasted barley to a tea strainer container if you have one. Boil a further 5 mins on low to medium-low heat.
3. Remove the kettle from the heat and remove the roasted barley from the kettle. 
4. Cool the tea down, then transfer it into a jug. 
5. Refrigerate if you want it cold. 
6. If you did not use the tea strainer container, use the tea strainer to sieve the grains. If you do not have a tea strainer, improvise. It takes about 10 minutes to brew the tea. 

IV. Serving

Barley tea can be drunk with some milk, depending on your preference. No sweetener is added, and you may not need any sugar. You can use honey. Try a little with some lemon juice for a refreshing lime beverage. 

Barley tea may be chilled without any additions. Even if you want it cold, you can still enjoy it without ice.  Some enjoy this brew hot in the wintertime with a bit of honey or lemon added.  

As summer time approaches, Korean Barley Tea can be served any time of day as the brew is caffeine-free. This is an ideal beverage to serve with Korean food like bulgogi, kalbi, japchae, and spicier dishes–consider it like an Asian House Iced Tea.

V. Conclusion

In conclusion, Korean Barley Tea is a popular beverage with multiple benefits. It fights cancer and boosts your immune system. Its main ingredients are water and roasted barley, which you can get in grocery stores. Serve it hot or cold, depending on your preference. 

For better results, stick to the given time frame and keep tasting till you get your desired taste. Add flavors of your choice, but you can still enjoy the beverage without any additions. It still tastes better. It is up to you to roast your barley yourself or use ready-made barley bags. Roasting barley at home allows you to darken it to your preference. Try different flavors till you find your best.