I have been bombarded with writing deadlines recently and thus have been neglecting my poor blog. And something else has suffered. The amount of work, the dry Beijing air, and wind from sandstorms have given me a bit of a sore throat. (Okay, that and some recreational drinking and recreational spicy food intake over the weekend.) To help sooth my throat I decided to make some nice hot barley tea.
Barley tea, is a popular drink in Japan (where it is called mugicha) and Korea (boricha), and somewhat less popular in China (dàmàichá). In the West the most common non-English name is mugicha. Drinking barley tea supposedly cleanses your system and helps with congestion and bronchitis, along with some other claims, but I think most people drink it because it’s refreshing and keeps you hydrated.
Barley tea is made by simply simmering roasted barley. Hot barley tea tastes a bit like toasted cereal, with less bitterness than tea from leaves, so it can be a good morning beverage, or night beverage since it contains no caffeine. You can add honey or sugar, though many purists insist on drinking it unsweetened. In addition to dark brown loose barley, some companies make bags of lighter barley meant for steeping at room temp for a cold drink. In Japan it is as popular as lemonade is in the US as a summer beverage.
Unfortunately, a more familiar drink made with fermented barley (beer) delivers none of the same health benefits. But this also means that if you can’t find roasted barley in the markets or tea shops, you can ask a home brewer where he gets his.
____________________________________
Barley Tea (Mugicha)
Adapted from Recipezaar
Makes 1 large or 2 cups
- 1/4 cup (2 ounces) roasted barley
- 2 pints water
- lemon slices, optional
- honey or sugar, optional (honey helps soothe sore throats)
Put barley and water in a small sauce pot and bring water to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Strain and drink immediately, or store in the fridge to drink it cold. Flavor with optional lemon and honey or sugar when ready to drink.
____________________________________
Related posts on tea:
Chrysanthemum Tea
Ginger milk tea
Rose milk tea
darn, I thought fermented barley would be healthy too!
My aiyi would make it for me when I was a kid (I grew up in Beijing) and I hated it. I tried recreating it a few years ago for kicks… and yup, still don’t like it. I imagine it would be good for a sore throat – it has that healthy for you taste.
I love your blog!
Well, it is usually available in some Japanese store like 7/11. I would advise you using some Chinese herbal syrups for throat treatment like Chuan bei bi pa gao. You can easily get them from supermarket. Just ask the trade assistant.
I am usually the biggest baby and most hesitant person you will find to try anything new, especially that of things I am suppose to ingest, yet since coming down with a head cold, sinus infection and bronchitis, my girlfriend who wants me to lead a much healthier life passed along some of her Barley beans.
I was quite resistant to trying it but I am tired of being sick, so down the hatch went my first cup and I was shocked and amazed that I actually liked it. It truly is less bitter than regular tea and more refreshing. I naturally thought of on my own to take the left over tea and keep it cold to drink it iced tomorrow. I am looking forward to it.
Here’s the question. How much do you need to drink daily to get the optimum health benefits from the tea? I am a beleiver now!
Valerie – I honestly don’t know how much you need to drink a day. I only drink it when I have a sore throat and don’t have any herbal jelly around. With a sore throat 2 cups a day usually does the trick.
hi I need your scientific opinion on this, is barley tea good for people with high uric acid? or bad for them? I’ve been arguing with my aunt regarding it.
my bf is diagnosed with hypokalemia. i’ve been trying to get him to eat healthier foods (he’s an extremely picky eater) but he was advised not to drink tea or coffee and herbal medicine. i know that this is because of the caffeine for tea and coffee but i don’t know with herbal medicine. i’m wondering if barley tea is ok for him to drink.