Korean Barley Tea (Boricha) Recipe And Its Benefits (2024)

FAQs

What is boricha in Korean? ›

In Korea, barley tea is called bori-cha (보리차), in which the native Korean bori (보리) means "barley" and Sino-Korean cha (차; 茶) shares the same Chinese character meaning "tea".

Barley tea is loaded with antioxidants and compounds like selenium, lignans, Vitamin A and C. These antioxidants combine their powers to grant relief from inflammatory issues, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Having barley tea regularly lends a level of antioxidants protection to the body.

Given the safety of barley, it's safe to drink several glasses per day. To prepare it, you can use either roasted barley or premade tea bags containing ground roasted barley, which are available from specialty stores and Asian grocers, as well as online.

Barley tea, known as Bori Cha in Korea, has been cherished by Korean women for its skincare benefits for centuries. It is not only a refreshing beverage but also nourishes and rejuvenates the skin.

It's caffeine free, with a strong nutty taste, but less astringent than tea from tea leaves. Koreans swear that barley tea is essential to the digestion, and relieves constipation. The Japanese, who call barley tea mugicha, also claim important health benefits.

Folate (a B vitamin), iron, copper, and manganese are all found in large amounts in barley water. The antioxidants in barley water contribute to its many other health benefits, because they enable healthy cell growth while getting rid of the free radicals that cause oxidative stress on your organs.

Barley tea is popular in South Korea (boicha) and is often enjoyed with meals instead of water. It is also extremely popular in Japan (mugicha) and China (damai chai). Because it is caffeine-free, many people drink it throughout the day.

Barley tea is not a "tea" in the traditional sense and is not made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, like black tea or green tea. It is brewed just from barley, which does not contain any caffeine. Therefore barley tea is completely caffeine-free.

Avoid using barley. Allergies to cereal grains: Consuming barley might cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to other cereal grains, including rye, wheat, oat, corn and rice. An allergic reaction is also possible in people allergic to grass.

Barley tea contains antioxidants like polyphenols, which can help neutralise harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals contribute to premature ageing and skin damage, and antioxidants can aid in maintaining healthy skin by reducing oxidative stress.

Can I drink barley tea at night? ›

Barley tea also contains significant levels of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone naturally found in the body and is known to promote quality sleep. Although researchers have not studied the effects of barley tea on sleep, the presence of melatonin suggests that the tea might be effective as a sleep aid.

It's known as bori cha (or sometimes boricha) in Korean. People in Japan and China also drink roasted barley tea. In Japan, it's known as mugicha, and in China, it's known as dàmàichá or màichá.

Barley is used for lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, and for promoting weight loss. It is also used for digestive complaints including diarrhea, stomach pain, and inflammatory bowel conditions. Some people use barley for increasing strength and endurance.

It works as a diuretic that increases urination and flushes out toxins from the body. Barley water is an excellent solution for kidney stones and cysts too. This drink is recommended in children and adult age groups daily till the urine infection subsides.

Eating 3.6 grams of barley daily as a source of dietary fiber seems to reduce the risk of heart disease. High cholesterol. Eating 3-12 grams of barley daily seems to reduce total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol in adults with high cholesterol.

Barley water is a great way to ensure you are consuming adequate amounts of fibre, vitamins and minerals but excessive consumption can lead to unwanted side effects. To ensure that you are making the best use of your barley water, keep in mind that consumption should never be excessive and always in moderation.