Corn tea explained

Tea Name:Corn tea
Tea Type:Herbal tea
Tea Image:Oksusu-cha.jpg
Tea Origin:Korea
Tea Names:Oksusu-cha
Tea Quick:Tea made from roasted corn kernels
Tea Time:5‒10 minutes
Korean name
Hangul:Korean: 옥수수차
Hanja:Korean: 玉蜀黍茶
Rr:oksusu-cha
Mr:oksusu-ch'a
Koreanipa:pronounced as /ko/
Othername1:Corn silk tea
Hangul1:Korean: 옥수수수염차
Hanja1:Korean: 玉蜀黍鬚髥茶
Rr1:oksusu-suyeom-cha
Mr1:oksusu-suyŏm-ch'a
Koreanipa1:pronounced as /ko/

Oksusu-cha or corn tea is a Korean tea made from corn.[1] While oksusu-suyeom-cha or corn silk tea refers to the tea made from corn silk, oksusu-cha can be made from corn kernels, corn silk, or a combination of both.[2] The caffeine-free infusion is a popular hot drink in winter. Along with bori-cha (barley tea), oksusu-cha is one of the free grain teas served in many restaurants in place of water.[3]

In Gangwon Province, the tea is called gangnaengi-cha (Korean: 강냉이차)—gangnaengi is a Gangwon dialect for "corn"—and is consumed throughout late autumn and winter in most households.[4]

Preparation

Traditionally, corn kernels are dried and roasted to prepare oksusu-cha. The roasted corn kernels are then boiled in water until the tea turns yellow. The tea is then strained and the boiled corn discarded. Although the drink is naturally sweet, sugar is sometimes added when a sweeter flavor is desired.

Roasted corn kernels are available at groceries, traditional markets and supermarkets in Korea, as well as at Korean groceries abroad. Tea bags containing ground corn are also commercially available.[5]

Blends

Oksusu-cha is often combined with bori-cha (barley tea), as the corn's sweetness offsets the slightly bitter flavor of the barley.

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 5 winter warmers that are caffeine-free. Lee. J.. 4 January 2016. Christian Today. 23 August 2017.
  2. News: Best Korean drinks -- from banana milk to hangover juice. Jung. Alex. 13 July 2017. CNN Travel. 23 August 2017.
  3. News: Kayal. Michele. Seoul food: Fueled by heat-seeking Americans, Korean cuisine is hot, hot, hot. Santa Cruz Sentinel. 28 July 2015. 23 August 2017.
  4. Web site: Gangnaengi-cha. Doopedia. Doosan Corporation. ko. ko:강냉이차. 23 August 2017.
  5. News: 장. 박원. 샘표식품, 우리보리차.옥수수차 시판. Maeil Business Newspaper. 13 February 2001. ko. Naver. 30 June 2010.