Roasted Barley Tea

Photo: flickr user y_katsuuu

About

When it is roasted it tastes similarly to coffee, but less bitter and caffeine free. Usually served cold in the summer months in Japan and Korea. It is a tisane (a tea not made from the leaves of a plant). In Japan they used to stew barley to make the tea, but now ground barley is put into tea bags for steeping. It is a remedy for cold and flu for breaking up congestion, phlegm and other symptoms. It is sold as a caffeine-free coffee substitute.

Information

Other names: Bori Cha, Mugicha

Translations: Grauzdēti Mieži Tēja, Skrudintos Miežiai Arbata, Prăjită Orz Ceai, Pečena Ječam Tea, Trà Barley rang, Jęczmień palona herbata, Geroosterde gerst Tea, भुना हुआ जौ चाय, Chá de cevada torrada, Жареный ячмень чай, Ψημένο κριθάρι τσάι, تفحم الشعير الشاي, 도룡뇽의 보리 차, Praženého ječmene Čaj, Asado barli Tea, 烤大麦茶, Te d'ordi torrada, Pražena Ječmen Tea, Praženého jačmeňa Čaj, Orzo tostato Tè, צלוי תה ברלי, Rostad Korn Tea, Печена Јечам Чај, ロースト麦茶, Café d'orge, Gerösteter Gerste Tea, Brændt Byg Te, Stekt Bygg Tea, Té de cebada tostada, Смажений ячмінь чай, Paahdettua Ohra Tea, Печена Ечемик чай

Physical Description

Dark to light brown tea when made. The barley plant grows as high as 4 feet. The color of the grain ranges from a light tan to various shades of brown or purple

Colors: Brown

Tasting Notes

Flavors: Nutty

Mouthfeel: Earthy

Food complements: Lemon with tea, Or make into a porriage

Substitutes: Coffee

Selecting and Buying

Seasonality: january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, opctober, november, december

Buying: At Asian food markets, health food stores, or ordered on line.

Procuring: Made from the hardy barley plant that is grown in many areas, including Asia, the Mediterranean and the US.

Preparation and Use

Served chilled in summer, it is delightfully cooling and refreshing. In winter, hot Mugicha is both warming and relaxing. To prepare warm Mugicha: Boil water pour over tea bag and steep for 15-25 minutes. To prepare iced Mugicha: pour iced water over tea bag in a pitch and shake. Or add 2 tea bags to 1-1.5 liter cold water and leave in the refrigerator overnight.

Conserving and Storing

Store in a cool, dark place.

Social/Political

Popular in Korea and Japan.

History: Known as Mugicha in Japan and Boricha in Korea, roasted barley tea is a very popular hot weather beverage that's noted for cooling down the body and cleansing the system. Old World doctors have recommended plain barley water as a first food for babies and for bedridden patients whose stomachs cannot handle solid foods, it is still popular in Japan with pregnant women.