During the cool weather part of the year I often drink a cup of herbal or decaffeinated tea in the evening. I enjoy trying new flavors. The last time I was in a fancy tea shop I saw something called barley tea on the shelf.
The associate explained the roasted barley drink was a popular in many Asian countries, particularly Japan, China, and Korea. She said it had no caffeine, and many people find the drink coffee-like in taste. When I found a small bag of Apple Barley teabags in the clearance section I decided to bring it home and give it a try.
I brew my tea a cup at a time, and I'm sure a purist would shudder at my method. After my favorite mug is filled with water I add a tea bag, heat the mug in the microwave, and then let the tea brew for a few minutes before pulling the bag out.
The barley tea is nothing like the light and minty chamomile combinations, invigorating ginger blends, or the tart and fruity hibiscus-based mixtures I usually drink, but it's a nice change of pace. Its flavor is slightly bitter, toasty, and nutty and the apple taste is barely noticeable.
How about you? Are you a tea drinker? Have you ever had barley tea (and if so, what did you think of it)?
Five years ago today: Worth A Watch
Never tried barley tea -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteMy tea drinking is limited to what ever the bar has brewed up in the big kettle in the back.
ReplyDeleteSo Long Island Tea for you?
DeleteThe "Bite" on PBS talked about the increase in coffee prices... evidently the wholesale prices are the highest ever... so maybe it's time for tea again! Thank for the birthday wishes!!
ReplyDeleteI had heard about coffee prices going up, and that was even before the tariffs!
DeleteI do like tea. I make my own chai too. Sometimes I add milk or warm spices like cinnamon. In the evening, its chamomile or mint, something relaxing. In the morning, its green or black tea. I also drink coffee but not as often anymore. Tea is easier.
ReplyDeleteBut, I will add, a toddied up coffee is better than a toddied up tea, I think. I do like a bit of buzz in my coffee now and then. Just a bit.
DeleteI like chai, but never thought about making my own. Will have to look into it.
DeleteI love teas too-and have Lots Have not tried barley tea though surprised it has no caffeine I may try it thanks
ReplyDeleteHave a good new week Kathy
Between Hubby and me there are probably six different varieties of tea in the pantry right now...and that doesn't count the plain Lipton-type.
DeleteYes, I've had barley tea (or some variant of it) in a Japanese restaurant. Pleasant enough but not enough to tempt me to daily use.
ReplyDeleteIf someone gave me another bag of barley tea I'd use it, but probably wouldn't buy it again.
DeleteI think most fruit or herb teas are caffeine-free. I used to drink a lot of fruit te when I was working, but hardly ever have it now.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your caffeine assessment.
DeleteI've not ever had barley tea but I would be open to try it. Hot tea is really supposed to be good for us..I need to drink it more often...
ReplyDeleteOnce the weather warms up for the season I forget about hot tea for months.
DeleteI was chain tea drinker while growing up dear Kathy . Only because I saw my parents doing so I followed blindly. We would take tea five to six times a day because grandma had cows and buffalo and milk wasn’t an issue for making milk tea.but bad part was that the tea we used had caffeine which restrained iron absorption in my blood and I got worse anemia attack. When I found a it was too late. My tea time is three cups a day with light caffeinated tea and milk.two cups of green tea as well.
ReplyDeleteI am learning how many types of teas exist by reading this.I will surely look for better option when move to Islamabad
It's a shame that your tea drinking led to medical issues down the line.
DeleteI drink tea all day long. I heat mine in the microwave too. lol
ReplyDeleteMicrowave tea-makers unite!
DeleteThe husband is the tea drinker in our house. I have a coffee maker and he has a kettle and a jar full of tea bags. I also have herbal tea for the grandkid. This barley tea sounds as if she might go for it. JG drinks only Lipton unless forced.
ReplyDeleteI always use standard tea bags (Lipton-type) for iced tea.
DeleteI love to taste different flavours of tea. We did that when we were in Germany last year. Our daughter and family live there. Bit at home we drink coffee in the morning and evening.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! If I drink caffeine too late in the day I'll pay for it at bedtime.
DeleteThere are so many teas, unlike coffee. I love my coffee but am afraid the tariffs will be making the price skyrocket. Maybe tea would be an option and this one sounds like I would like it. Next time I am in a bigger city I hope to find more options.
ReplyDeleteAlthough our Costco-sized container of coffee has just been opened, we stopped by the other day and bought another. Now it will be a while until higher prices will impact us.
DeleteI'm only an iced tea drinker and rarely drink hot tea. When I do try a flavored tea I find I usually get tired of it after a few sips! however, I go through gallons of iced tea in the hot weather!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason a flavored tea after dinner sends a message to my stomach that eating time is over.
DeleteThat sounds good. Thank you for the tip Kathy. Aloha
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. In your cosmopolitan city I'm sure there are many options.
DeleteYes, I am a tea drinker. Hot and cold. I rarely venture out beyond black tea.
ReplyDeleteYes, I enjoy tea in many flavors, but this one was a new one that, quite honestly, will not be added if it was even available. One of my favorite teas is a spicy cinnamon that a fellow blogger intro me to last year.
ReplyDeleteI've tried spicy cinnamon tea once. It was great. Thanks for the reminder that I should look for another box.
DeleteI have never tried barley tea! I do love to have a cup of tea in the evenings to wind down though so I will have to try it. I accidentally spilled a big cup of ginger tumric tea in my living room last week and had to have a professional carpet cleaning done. I will have to be more careful next time haha!
ReplyDeleteTurmeric on the carpet! Yikes!
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