Barley Tea: Health Benefits, Uses and More

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Tamntea
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Wheat, rice, oats, and barley. What do these things have in common? They are all grains and are often used for food products such as bread, pasta, oatmeal, and (surprise) tea! Normally when you think of tea, the typical notion is that it is made from fragrant leaves, herbs, or flowers. But did you know that grains can also be used to make tea? Teas such as wheat tea, rice tea, and barley tea are especially common in Asia.

What is Barley?

Aside from one of the ingredients in beer, what else do we know about barley? Barley is one of the oldest cultivated grains in the world and traces its origins to 5,000 BC in Mesopotamia and Sumeria. It was a staple and primary source of food for the ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, and Chinese. Throughout its history, barley has been mentioned in the bible, has been used for trade and as currency in ancient times, and is at the root of the English measurement system. In 1324, King Edward II standardized the “inch” as equivalent to three grains of barley. But barley seems to have fallen on the wayside in modern times, and products made from barley such as barley tea and barley grass have been making a recent resurgence in popularity.

Barley tea is called Damai-cha or Mai-cha in China, whereas in Japan, it’s called Mugi-cha and it’s called Bori-cha in Korea.

Barley Grains V.S. Barley Grass

The Barley plant consists of two parts, the grass and the long stalk which holds the grain. The most common component used to make barley tea is the grain. These grains are usually dried and roasted, which render it that unmistakably toasted and slightly nutty flavor. Barley tea may be enjoyed either as a warm or as a cold drink. The grass, however, is usually processed into powder form and taken as a supplement, or mixed with smoothies or soups, it is also considered one of the top four greens in the world. Barley grass is a superfood and the processed powder is used to make drinks that boast of high vitamin and chlorophyll content. 

Health Benefits of Barley Tea

Barley tea or more known in Korea as boricha, in Japan as mugicha, and in China as damai cha;  extracts a light and nutty flavor that is perfect to wash off the taste palettes after a heavy meal. Barley is also known as high in fiber, therefore great for digestion, learn the other health benefits of drinking barley tea. 

Detoxification

A substance called Pyrazine is present in barley tea that helps in cleansing the blood to prevent blood coagulation  and improve blood circulation. It is also great for detoxifying the liver by excreting all of the toxins from your body, making barley tea ideal for heavy alcoholic  drinkers. 

Treats Urinary Tract Infections

One of the natural ways to treat urinary tract infections (UTI) is to drink lots of fluids to flush out the bacteria from your system. Barley tea acts as a diuretic, it increases the production of urine, therefore helps in eliminating the bacteria along with it.

Improves Digestion

A high fiber diet is always recommendable, it helps normalize bowel movements, prevents constipation, gets rid of a bloated stomach, and keeps your gut clean. Barley is also known for being high in fiber, which in the long run  would help maintain a healthy weight and help  shed  a few pounds. Fiber also acts as a natural antacid and can help in relieving indigestion, heartburn, or an upset stomach caused by an imbalance in the gut acids.

Has a Cooling Effect

Not only cold beverages can lower your body temperature, in Japan and South Korea, there are certain foods that are considered as a “Yin” food, just like soy products, watermelon, cucumbers, and even barley tea. Yin food means it has the potential to cool and bring down the core body temperature, making barley tea the perfect iced tea  alternative.

Helps You Sleep Better

Chamomile is one of the most famous tea that promotes sleep, but barley tea also contains melatonin and tryptophan, which are both active ingredients that promote good sleep. It is also caffeine-free making this drink the perfect night time beverage.

Cures Cold and Flu

Because  a human body can build up resistance to antibiotic medicines, herbal alternatives are always a better option when one is about to catch a flu. Barley tea is rich in antioxidants and has antibacterial properties too, making this a great home remedy for cold and flu.  Barley tea can help loosen secretions in the chest and sinuses, making them easier to expel and clear up congestions.

Best Barley Tea Brands

If you are having difficulty finding barley tea, try going to an Asian store or an organic supermarket in your area. The brands that most commonly offer barley tea come primarily from Japan and South Korea, these products are available in teabag form or you can also get the unroasted/roasted barley grains and make the tea from scratch. Barley tea can be steeped with hot or cold water. Be on the lookout for these brands (You can check their price in the link):

Roasted Barley Tea

Ingredients

5 cups of pearl barley

Tools

Pan, strainer, and teapot 

Steps

  1. Step 1: Rinse the pearl barley, drain then air dry.
  2. Step 2: Warm pan over medium fire, then place the pearl barley. Continue mixing the barley for up to 20 minutes or until it’s dark brown.
  3. Step 3:  Once the barley is dark brown, place it on a plate and let it cool down. 
  4. Step 4: Take 2 tablespoons of roasted barley and place it in a teapot then fill up with hot water, add honey. Steep for 5 minutes then serve. 
  5. Step 5: The remaining barley can be set aside in an airtight container for future use.

Japanese Roasted Barley Tea Latte (Mugicha Latte)

Ingredients

2 roasted barley teabag, ½ cup of chilled milk

Tools

Electric hand mixer or whisk

Steps

  1. Step 1: Steep 2 barley teabag with 1 liter of hot water for about 2 hours.
  2. Step 2: Place the milk in a cup or mixing bowl, then use a hand mixer (or whisk) to make it fluffy and airy, similar to a milk foam.
  3. Step 3: Fill half of a tall glass (about 150ml) of the barley tea and honey for sweetening. Stir
  4. Step 4: Scoop or pour the milk foam on top of the barley tea until the glass is full. Serve and enjoy.

Barley Tea Cookies

Ingredients

200 mg all-purpose flour, 100 mg sugar, 1 egg, 100 grams room temperature butter, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 2 tablespoons of roasted barley tea, vanilla essence

Tools

Coffee grinder, mixing bowl

Steps

  1. Step 1: Grind the roasted barley tea until it’s powder-like. 
  2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, mix the butter and sugar. Add the egg and a dash of vanilla extract.
  3. Step 3: Sift in the flour, baking soda, ground roasted barley.
  4. Step 4: Lay a parchment paper on a baking tray and form round cookie shapes.
  5. Step 5: Preheated oven at 180℃ and bake the cookies for 10 minutes

Barley Porridge Recipe

Ingredients

¼ cup pearl barley, 1 cup of barley tea, ½ cup milk of your preference, 1 teaspoon chia seeds, 1 tablespoon apricot seeds, 1 sliced  banana, and 1 teaspoon honey

Tools

Pot 

Steps

  1. Step  1: In a small pot, combine the pearl barley with 1 cup of water and 1 cup of barley tea and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for about twenty to thirty minutes or until water has been absorbed by the barley. Check if the barley is completely soft.
  2. Step 2: Then stir in the milk and the barley leaves powder. Allow it to simmer very quickly until you get to your desired consistency.
  3. Step 3: Remove from heat. Top it up with banana, apricot seeds, and chia seeds. You may choose to drizzle it with a little bit of honey.

Barley and Beef Stew

Ingredients

½ cup pearl barley, 300 grams beef ribs, 1 chopped  carrot, 1 cup chopped celery, 1 cup sliced mushroom, 1 small chopped onions, ½ tablespoon unsalted butter, 2 cups barley tea, ½ teaspoon dried basil leaves, salt and pepper to taste

Tools

Pot 

Steps

  1. Step 1: In a pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat  and gently sear the beef and season with salt and pepper. Then set aside. 
  2. Step 2: Sauté the onions until it is slightly golden brown in color, then add and stir in the mushrooms
  3. Step 3: Add and stir in the mushrooms
  4. Step 4: Add the beef back in the pot, then add two cups of barley tea and basil leaves. Let it simmer under low heat for about one hour or until it has become very tender. Regularly stir.
  5. Step 5: After one hour, add the barley, celery, and carrots. Continue cooking all the ingredients under low heat for another forty to fifty minutes. Serve warm.

Barley tea and barley grass has rapidly been gaining popularity over the past few years in western countries. Thanks to the availability of Asian markets and online stores, more health enthusiasts are learning the health benefits of both barley variants. The smokey and chocolatey aroma of a freshly brewed cup of barley tea can double up as a sleepytime caffeine-free drink that is full of antioxidants and acts as a natural antibacterial agent. It’s a great source of fiber, similar  to eating a bowl of oatmeal a day. Surprise yourself and get a bag of unroasted barley grains and make some homemade tea that is not  from your usual over cured leaves.

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