Corn tea
Korean grain tea made from maize
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Oksusu-cha (옥수수차) or corn tea is a Korean tea made from corn.[1] While oksusu-suyeom-cha (옥수수수염차) 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.[1]
| Corn tea | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Herbal tea |
| Other names | Oksusu-cha |
| Origin | Korea |
| Quick description | Tea made from roasted corn kernels |
| Temperature | 100 °C (212 °F) |
| Time | 5‒10 minutes |
In Gangwon Province, the tea is called gangnaengi-cha (강냉이차)—gangnaengi is a Gangwon dialect for "corn"—and is consumed throughout late autumn and winter in most households.[3]
Preparation
Traditionally, corn kernels are dried and roasted to prepare oksusu-cha.[2] The roasted corn kernels are then boiled in water until the tea turns yellow.[3] 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.[3]
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.[4]
Blends
Oksusu-cha is often combined with bori-cha (barley tea), as the corn's sweetness offsets the slightly bitter flavor of the barley.[citation needed]
Gallery
Jasaek-oksusu-cha (purple corn tea) tea bag
Roasted corn kernels
Boiling roasted corn kernels
See also
- Bori-cha – barley tea
- Hyeonmi-cha – brown rice tea
- Memil-cha – buckwheat tea
- Roasted grain beverage