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Korean-style serving of Barley tea

보리차 · Barley tea

Barley tea

보리차

What exactly is it?

Roasted barley produces a toasted, unsweetened infusion served hot or cold. A restaurant’s brown drinking water may be barley tea, but corn and other grain infusions can look similar.

Main ingredients

Roasted barley and water

Ordering and serving

Think of it as toasted-grain drinking water. If you avoid barley, ask what is in the restaurant’s water and request plain water.

Origins and changes

The method roasts a grain for aroma before infusing it in water. Whole barley or barley tea bags replace tea leaves in this preparation.

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Barley tea

보리차

Main ingredients
Roasted barley and water
Flavor and character
Roasted barley produces a toasted, unsweetened infusion served hot or cold. A restaurant’s brown drinking water may be barley tea, but corn and other grain infusions can look similar.
How to eat it
Think of it as toasted-grain drinking water. If you avoid barley, ask what is in the restaurant’s water and request plain water.
Read about this dish →

Jujube tea

대추차

Main ingredients
Dried jujubes and water; optional ginger, pear, honey or pine nuts
Flavor and character
Dried jujubes simmer until their sweetness enters the water. A strained version is clear, while mashed fruit produces a thick drink. Sliced jujubes or pine nuts may be served on top to eat with a spoon.
How to eat it
Ask about the consistency if you prefer a light infusion. Check for any remaining seeds in fruit pieces before eating them.
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