Barley tea, or boricha, is a popular and healthy beverage in Korea. Made from roasted barley grains, it offers a nutty flavor and numerous health benefits. Best of all, it’s super easy to brew at home.

Steaming Korean barley tea is presented in glass cups on a tray.

For centuries, barley tea has been a popular drink across different cultures. Its delightful and mild nutty flavor is derived from barley grains.

Since it’s not made from tea leaves, barley tea is caffeine-free, offering a great substitute to coffee and tea. It’s not only refreshing and delicious but also packed with health benefits and can be served either hot or cold.

A jug of roasted barley tea is sitting on a napkin.

What is Korean barley tea?

Korean barley tea is a popular beverage in Korean households, commonly consumed with meals or as a refreshing Korean drink during hot summer days.

It is also suitable to drink hot to keep warm on chilly winter days and serves as a healthy option to sweetened beverages for sugary drinks for both children and adults.

Barley tea health benefits

Not only does barley tea offer potential health benefits, but it also serves as a delicious and refreshing beverage that you can enjoy any time of the day.

It is rich in antioxidants that can help protect the body from free radicals and aid digestion, and its unique flavor has made it a popular choice among tea enthusiasts worldwide.

Whole, unhulled barley grains are placed in a wooden bowl.
Barley tea bag is torn and exposing the crushed roasted barley inside.

Whole barley grain vs Barely tea bag

You can make Korean barley tea, also known as boricha, using whole roasted barley grains or tea bags

Whole barley grains (I used non-hulled barley) are usually roasted and then steeped in hot water, creating a slightly earthy flavor. These grains can be purchased pre-roasted online.

Alternately, you can find barley tea bags made from crushed or ground roasted barley in Korean stores. These bags produce a milder and clearer tea, which is more convenient to use.

Whole barley grain vs pearl barley: You can use two types of barley to make barley tea. Whole barley grains provide a more traditional, earthy flavor, while pearl barley, which is readily available in most stores, has a smoother taste because it has been hulled and polished.

How to roast barley

Whole barley grains are toasting in a skillet.
Whole barley grains are toasted until dark brown.

Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat. No oil is needed. Add the barley and stir around until it browns, which should take about 10 minutes. The darker the grains get, the stronger taste you will have.

Pre-roasted whole barley is also available for purchase at Korean stores or online.

How to make barley tea (boricha)

Roasted barley grains are put in a tea bag.
A tea kettle is boiling water and the steam is coming out of the spout.

To make Korean barley tea, you’ll need about 2 tablespoons of roasted barley for every liter (about 4 cups) of water. You can use a tea bag or a tea strainer container to hold the barley and make clean-up easier.

Place the water and barley in a kettle or pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let steep for 5-10 minutes. The longer you steep, the darker and nuttier the flavor will be.

Hot barley tea is being poured into a glass cup.
Barley tea bag is removed from a tea kettle.

Pour the tea into a cup and serve hot. Be sure to discard the barley (or tea bag) after brewing and do not reuse it.

Iced barley tea: To enjoy barley tea as a cold drink, transfer it into a jug and refrigerate until ready to serve. Adding ice cubes can help keep the tea cold when serving.

Cold Korean barley tea is garnished with ice cubes in a cup.

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Steaming Korean barley tea is presented in glass cups on a tray.

Roasted Barley Tea (Boricha)

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Barley tea (boricha) is a nutty-flavored and healthy beverage made from roasted barley grains, popular in Korea and easy to brew at home.
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Ingredients

For roasting barley

  • 1 cup whole barley grain, hulled or non-hulled

For barley tea

  • 4 cups water
  • 2 tbsp roasted barley

Instructions 

To roast barley

  • Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat. No oil is needed. Add the barley and stir around until it browns, which should take about 10 to 12 minutes. The darker the grains get, the stronger taste you will have.

To make barley tea

  • Use a tea bag or a tea strainer container to hold the barley and make clean-up easier. Place the water and barley in a kettle or pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let steep for 5-10 minutes. The longer you steep, the darker and nuttier the flavor will be. Pour the tea into a cup and serve hot.

Notes

  • You’ll need about 2 tablespoons of roasted barley for every liter (about 4 cups) of water.
  • To enjoy barley tea as a cold drink, transfer it into a jug and refrigerate until ready to serve. Adding ice cubes can help keep the tea cold when serving.
  • Be sure to discard the barley (or tea bag) after brewing and do not reuse it.
Cuisine: Korean
Course: Drinks
Author: Holly Ford
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