Mugicha – Roasted Barley Tea

My Favorite Thirst Quencher For These Hot Summer Days

My son introduced me to mugicha * years ago, and since my first taste I’ve never been without a pitcher of this roasted barley tea sitting in my fridge. At his urging, I’m sharing my love of this tea with you.

Mugicha ,* referred to as dàmài chá in China and boricha in Korea, is actually unhulled roasted barley. There is a distinct roasted element to the flavor, along with a toasted nuttiness. A little bitterness is there, but not nearly as much as in traditional tea made with tea leaves. 

There is no caffeine and no sugar. I drink it over ice and it is the best thirst quencher I’ve ever encountered. I drink a glass or two with dinner every single night. It never conflicts with food, which is another reason I love it so much. Even if I have a glass of wine with a meal, I also have a glass of iced mugicha to sip on. I’ve become so addicted to this stuff, I can’t really enjoy a meal without it. It thoroughly cleanses my palate between bites because it has such a dry finish. 

The kind I buy is already ground, comes in large tea bags, and doesn’t need to be steeped in hot water. I like it on the stronger side because I always drink it over ice, which dilutes it some. So, I toss 3 bags in my one-gallon pitcher, add cold water, put it in the fridge, and let it sit for a couple of hours before removing the bags. 52 bags of tea come in the package of the brand I buy, Fantastic Tea Tokuyo Hiyashi Mugicha ,* and it lasts about 3 1/2 months. 

There are supposed health benefits to this tea, but that’s not why I drink it. I drink it simply because I love it. I don’t add anything to it. I like it unsweetened as is. 

Well, that’s it, folks. Just thought I’d pass on my love for mugicha .* It really is the best cold drink I can think of for these hot summer days. I’ve never even been tempted to try it hot. Besides drinking it throughout the day, I like a cold drink with my meals, no matter the time of year, and this is always my choice.