How to Make Barley Tea? [Boricha Recipe]

Barley tea is widely consumed in Korea. The delicious, refreshing beverage is brewed all 365 days and can be taken hot or cold. Today, it has acquired much popularity, and people from many different cultures and countries relish it. The tea has a nutty flavor and is free of caffeine.

Traditionally, the tea is served without sugar or any kind of sweetener. However, you can sweeten it with sugar or honey. This drink has several health benefits. The most notable of them is better digestion and relief from constipation.

Keep reading to learn all about making this refreshing barley infusion at home.

What is Barley Tea?

Barley tea, also called boricha in Korea, is a hot and cold drink that is consumed in many Asian countries. The major ingredient in the tea is barley, a whole grain. Barley contains high fiber and has a mild taste.

Barley tea is not technically a tea because, unlike black and green tea, it does not come from the leaves of the Camelia Sinensis plant. Instead, it is made from roasted barley grains, which give it its characteristic toasty flavor.

Tea makers sometimes experiment with the nutty flavor of the beverage. A variation of the tea contains roasted corn. It increases the tea’s sweetness.

Must Read: How to Make Lemon Verbena Tea?

How to Make Barley Tea at Home?

To make barley tea at home, all you need is a packet of pearl barley. Equipment needed for the beverage includes a pan and a pot. When you’ve gathered these things, follow the stepwise instructions below to roast the tea.

• Thoroughly wash the barely grains as they might contain debris and dirt.
• Dry the grains in the sun on a mesh tray. Cover it with a cloth so they do not become the bird food.
• When they are dry, roast them in a frying pan over low or medium heat. You can also roast them over a fireplace, though it will take more time.
• Let them cool fully. Then transfer them in an airtight container.
• Pour four cups of water into a pot and boil it over high heat.
• Add four tablespoons of barley kernels to this water. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes over low heat.
• Turn off the heat. Serve through a strainer.
• When it’s cooled, chill the tea in a pitcher in the refrigerator. This way, you can serve the tea cold.

How to Sweeten Barley Tea?

Barley tea has a natural, subtle, nutty sweetness. It is thus a great substitute for sugary drinks. To enjoy barley tea in its authentic form, it is recommended to consume it as is.

However, if you want to increase its sweetness, adding a little bit of honey or sugar is permitted. You can also add spices like cardamom or a small amount of lemon. If you find the tea bitter, adding corn will increase the sweetness.

The tea acts as an afternoon pick-me-up sans the caffeine jitters.

How to Make Iced Barley Tea?

Iced barley tea is made by cold brewing, a method of tea preparation in which cold water is used to steep tea. You need barley teabags to make iced barley tea. Here are the simple steps involved in making iced barley tea.

• Pour filtered water at room temperature into a pitcher.
• Add barley tea bags into it.
• Cover it and refrigerate for around two hours.
• Discard the tea bag and pour the drink into a glass with ice.
• This tea is already chilled. So, adding ice is optional.

Buying and Storing Barley Tea

Barley tea is usually purchased in the form of tea bags. They are a common sight in Asian grocery stores. When you buy barley tea bags, you are essentially buying barley soaked in water. The only difference is that the grains are ground. If you make the tea at home, you use whole grains.

You can also buy loose, raw, or roasted barley. Unroasted barley can be roasted at home in just over 5 minutes. All you need is a wooden spoon and a hot pan. Barley grains should be stored in a dry and dark spot, such as an airtight container. Barley tea bags can be stored with other teas. Just ensure that they are kept away from moisture and direct sunlight.

Barley Tea Nutritions

The nutritional profile of barley tea hasn’t been the subject of many studies. However, we do that it contains a bunch of antioxidants. The beverage also supplies you with nutrients in barley, albeit in small amounts. Here’s a brief overview of nutrition in a glass of barley tea.

1. Calories

Barley tea contains very few calories. This is because the roasted barley is removed from the tea, leaving just barley-flavored water. The calories can be increased by adding sugar or honey.

2. Carbohydrates

Barley tea, when prepared in the traditional way contains zero carbohydrates. However, those mixed with corn or soybeans are sweeter. They contain more carbohydrates than pure barley tea.

3. Fiber

Barley has a high fiber content. However, the tea does not retain it because the grain is removed. So, there is hardly any fiber left in it.

4. Sugar

When barley tea is brewed and drained, it has very little natural sugar. Sweeteners are added to smooth out the tea’s flavor, which may feel too bitter to some.

5. Protein

Barley tea does not contain significant amounts of protein. Since barley is washed off, the beverage does not retain the grain’s protein content.

6. Fat

Barley tea does not contain fat.

7. Iron

Barley tea does not contain iron.

Read Also: Uncovering Twisted Tea Nutrition Facts

Is Barley Tea Gluten-Free?

Barley is not gluten-free. Thus, it is not recommended for those with celiac disease as it can trigger an autoimmune response. People who are gluten-intolerant should avoid all forms of barley, such as pearl barley, barley malt, barley flour, and barley supplements.

Barley tea is made by steeping roasted barley kernels in hot water. It is not appropriate for those allergic to gluten or on a gluten-free diet.

Final Words

Barley tea is a wonderful, nutty, and toasty drink that can be consumed in summer and winter. Making it is extremely easy, especially if you have tea bags. You can sweeten it with sugar or honey but do not overdo it, as it would hide the true flavor of the beverage.