Mugi Cha, or Barley Tea, is a traditional Japanese beverage made from roasted barley grains steeped in water. Popular across Japan, Korea (where it’s called boricha), and China, this naturally caffeine-free tea is celebrated for its toasty, nutty flavor and its cooling, hydrating properties, especially during the hot summer months.
Served both hot and cold, Mugi Cha is commonly enjoyed as a daily drink, often replacing water at mealtimes. The flavor is mild yet distinct, with a slight bitterness and deep roasted undertones that make it incredibly refreshing. It contains no sugar or calories (unless sweetened), making it a healthy, guilt-free alternative to sugary sodas and energy drinks.
Traditionally, Mugi Cha is made by simmering roasted barley kernels in water or by steeping pre-packaged tea bags. Cold-brewing it in the refrigerator overnight is a popular method during summer, resulting in a crisp, clean taste that helps cool the body and aid digestion.
Besides being refreshing, Mugi Cha is believed to offer several health benefits. It may support digestion, promote blood circulation, and help reduce fatigue. Due to its antioxidant properties and lack of caffeine, it’s suitable for children, pregnant women, and those trying to avoid stimulants.
Whether you’re enjoying a quiet moment at home or looking to add a healthy beverage to your routine, Mugi Cha provides a comforting, earthy flavor with centuries of tradition behind every sip.
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted barley
Instructions
- In a medium-sized pot, add the roasted barley and 4 cups water.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Remove the pot from heat and strain the tea into a pitcher or teapot.
- Serve the barley tea hot or chilled.
Mugi cha is lifesaver! I love how it’s caffeine-free, and my kids can drink it too! Highly recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was way too easy! I thought it would be complicated but it was super simple! My kids liked it too.
Does it really taste good? I tried once and it was kinda bland. How can it be better? 🤔
I think it’s all about the brewing time! I let mine steep for longer and it really brought out the flavor. Give that a try! 😊
Took me too long to boil! Had to check my phone every 5 minutes. Not great.
This tastes really nice but I wish the recipe mentioned whether to rinse the barley or not. I used it straight and it was fine, just wondering.
(: Perfect summer drink! I chilled it and added lemon slices. Refreshing!
Barley tea is good for digestion, they say. I make it every week now! My family loves it. Give it a try, folks!
Roasted barley is such an underrated ingredient. Simmering 30 minutes is perfect—color looks great too.
Good but I thought it would be sweeter or something… where’s the sugar? 😂 4 stars.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about brewing tea from grain, but the nutty smell while simmering convinced me. Great with a squeeze of lemon.
Okay but do you actually use roasted barley like the kind for coffee-style drinks? I think mine came out kinda bitter… maybe I simmered too long.
I was skeptical too, but once it starts smelling like toasted nuts it’s hard to resist. I tried it chilled and it was surprisingly refreshing—lemon is a great idea!
I don’t know, this barley tea tasted kinda bland to me. Maybe I did it wrong?
Mugi cha is actually from Japan, not Korea. Just saying. But I like it! ☕️
Mugi Cha for lyfe! So refreshing in summer! I drank it all the time in Japan.
Tried this and it’s super comforting—nutty and not too sweet. Chilling it overnight made it taste even cleaner.
Easy recipe, I like that there’s no fancy stuff. Mine got a little darker than expected but the flavor was still good. Served it chilled with ice—nice in the summer.
Yes! No fancy stuff is the best. I also simmered a bit longer and mine got darker, but it still tasted great chilled with ice—perfect summer drink.
Loved how simple this is—just barley + water and you get a cozy tea. I simmered mine closer to 35 min and it tasted a bit deeper. Chilled with ice was especially refreshing.
Does barley tea have caffeine? I need something to kick me awake in the mornin’!
Nope, barley tea is caffeine-free! It’s great for relaxation, but might not be the best for a morning kick!
I thought it had some caffeine! Guess I’ll stick to coffee then. Thanks for the info!
Isn’t barley tea supposed to be for hot weather? I drink it all year, haha! Funny!
I think it’s great you enjoy it year-round! Barley tea is so refreshing. Love it!
Love this tea! So refreshing, especially in summer. I added a bit of honey for sweetness. Yum!
I totally agree! Mugi Cha is the best, especially on hot days. Honey is a great touch! ☀️
I don’t get the hype. Isn’t barley tea just water with a hint of flavor? *shrugs*
Can you re-use the barley or is it one-and-done? I hate wasting food!
Not what I expected. The smell while boiling was kinda weird.
Simple and effective! I love how easy this recipe is. I added a bit of honey, and it was perfect! Will definitely make again.
I followed the steps but mine looked kinda cloudy and tasted bland. Maybe my barley wasn’t roasted enough? Idk.
I didn’t have “roasted barley” so I used regular barley and… yeah, not the same. After toasting it a bit first, it actually worked.
I thought it would taste sweet. What a letdown! It was really bitter instead.
I’m sorry you didn’t like it! Mugi cha is supposed to be a bit nutty, not sweet. Maybe you brewed it too long?
Bitter? I thought it was supposed to be refreshing. Maybe you meant to make a sweet tea? 🤷♂️
I’m skeptical about how much flavor you get from just barley and water. Mine tasted kinda watery until I steeped/ simmered extra time. Next time I’ll roast the barley myself a bit darker.
Yeah I get your point—if the barley isn’t strong enough, it can totally taste thin. I’ve had better luck simmering closer to 40 mins and letting it sit off-heat for a bit before straining.
For some reason, mine tasted a bit bitter. Maybe I boiled it too long? 🤔
Mine didn’t taste like what I’ve had at restaurants. Maybe I used the wrong “roasted barley” because mine was more caramel-ish. Anyone have brand tips?
Couldn’t find roasted barley, so I toasted regular barley myself. Maybe I did it wrong, but it came out darker and bitter.
I made this for my family and they actually liked it! Surprised me.
Mugicha is a hit in our house! It’s easy nd healthy. Great for the kids too.
I love mugicha too! It’s so refreshing, especially in summer. Kids love it cold!
Tasted alright, but a bit bland for my liking.
This tastes so comforting—nutty and lightly toasted. I simmered a bit longer (about 35 min) and it got even richer. Definitely making again.
Yes! That nutty toasted flavor is exactly why I love this one. I usually do closer to 35 min too—totally richer.
I tried it and it was good, but mine tasted a little too mild. Maybe my barley wasn’t roasted enough? Still comforting though.
Wow, who knew making tea could be so easy! Will be making this again for sure!
Easy? I dunno, I burnt my barley last time. Maybe I’m just bad at cooking!
So glad you found it easy! Barley tea is super refreshing, especially in summer.
This is the best tea ever! I love the nutty flavor of barley. So good hot or cold! 🍵
Easy to make, but I feel like I messed it up somehow. Mine looked different.
Yum! Easy tea.
This barley tea is amazing! I never thought I’d like tea made from barley, but it’s so refreshing. 5 stars!
Delicious and refreshing! I love it chilled on hot days.
This tastes kinda like coffee without the bitterness. I even served it chilled with ice and it was a vibe.
Not my favorite. I prefer iced tea instead. Barley tea just aint it for me.
I tried it but wasn’t a fan. It tasted kinda bland to me. Maybe I did something wrong? I’ll stick to my regular tea. 2 stars.
Honestly, I was skeptical but this tastes way better than I thought it would. Who knew? Thx!
I can’t believe it! I always thought tea was just leaves. This is a game changer!
This is a healthy drink, but I’m not a fan of the smell. Can you add flavors like lemon?
So easy! I had roasted barley already, so it was basically just simmer, strain, and done. Tastes nutty and super comforting—hot is great on cold nights.
Agree—so cozy. I’ve never tried barley tea with pre-roasted barley, but I’m convinced it would cut the time a lot. Do you strain super fine, or just regular?
What a tasty find! I added some mint leaves and it was delightful! Highly recommend.
Really? Isn’t barley tea just plain? I thought the idea was to keep it simple.
Mint leaves! That’s a great idea, I’ll have to try that next time.
OMG, I love barley! This tea is amazing!! 😂 Can’t believe it was so simple. 5 stars for sure!
This is so simple but really comforting. I followed it exactly and the flavor is toasty and nutty—perfect hot or iced.
Tried it exactly as written and it came out a bit bland for my taste. Next time I’ll steep longer or use slightly more barley.
Good call on steeping longer—30 min can be a little shy depending on how dark the roasted barley is. I usually do closer to 45 and it gets more nutty.
Bland here too, honestly. I doubled the barley to 1 1/2 cups once and it helped a lot. Might be my barley was lightly roasted.
Used 1 cup barley like the recipe says, but I think I boiled too hard at first because it turned kinda dark/strong. Still drinkable though.
idk… barley tea is kinda boring to me 😅 But I’m sure some people will love it.
Barley tea boring?? Nah, it’s comfort. Plus it’s caffeine-free (well, mostly) so I can drink it at night 😄
Totally get that—it’s pretty simple. I like it more when I add a splash of milk or a bit of honey.
Wow I can’t believe how easy this was! I thought it’d be complicated but nah, just boiling water! Love it!
Is it really that easy? I thought you had to do more with it, like add spices or something…
I totally agree! It’s amazing how something so simple can taste so good! I always have it ready in the fridge!
Barley tea? Isn’t that for horses?? Can’t believe people actually drink it.
Actually, barley tea is super popular in many countries and it’s really good for digestion! You should give it a try before knocking it!
This is the most budget-friendly drink ever. I make a pitcher and it lasts all week. 10/10
Yes!! Mugi cha is so underrated. Roasted barley is honestly the cheapest cozy drink ever—love making a big pitcher for the week.
Why would anyone wanna drink this? Sounds weird. No thanks!
This barley tea is amazing! So refreshing and easy to make. Definitely my new go-to drink!
Not sure why people drink this? It tastes like dirty water to me. 🤮
I tried making this and ended up with mushy barley all over the kitchen. How do you keep it from going everywhere???
Meh, I prefer regular tea lol. Too much work for this!
Honestly, this is one of those “why didn’t I think of it” drinks. The flavor is nutty and not too sweet, which I love.