Hibiscus Tea: the Perfect Summertime Drink

Two Glasses of Hibiscus Tea Over Ice
Two Glasses of Hibiscus Tea Over Ice

Hibiscus tea is the perfect beverage for a hot summer day. The bold burgundy hue gives it a festive air sure to brighten any party or pool deck. It’s non-caffeinated, allowing you to relax and unwind without becoming restless or, more importantly, it’s something kids can drink without an extra jolt of energy. When served chilled, it tastes refreshingly sweet with floral notes and a hint of tartness. The smell is intoxicating, inviting you to take a sip.

Backyard Picnic with Hibiscus Tea
Backyard Picnic with Hibiscus Tea

How to Make Hibiscus Tea

To make hibiscus tea, first steep dried hibiscus flowers, also known as flor de jamaica,with water overnight. Then strain the flowers out, pressing on them to release all their precious liquid; next add additional water and sugar to sweeten it. I like to make it in a big batch so I can sip it over the course of several days. It’s also great for parties and you can always add a shot of rum to your tea, if you want to make it into an adult beverage. read more

Korean Roasted Barley Tea

Roasted Barley Tea

Korean Roasted Barley Tea and Buddha Board

I love drinking tea, especially during the long winter months. There’s something comforting about sipping hot tea on a cold day–it has a calming effect that forces me to slow down and appreciate life. I usually drink black tea in the morning to energize me for the day ahead, but when I have a bit more time, I like to sit down with my Buddha Board–a painting surface upon which you can paint temporarily with water–and a cup of roasted barley tea.

Korean Roasted Barley Tea

 Roasted Barley Tea and Barley Tea Painting

Paintings on Buddha Boards aren’t meant for permanence (they fade as the water dries), which makes photographing the image tricky. As you can see, parts of the painting are already starting to fade mere seconds after its completion.

So what is roasted barley tea? It’s a drink made by boiling and steeping roasted barley. It’s not a “tea” in the technical sense (i.e., it’s not made from actual tea leaves), but it stands in as a non-caffeinated alternative to traditional teas. It can be served hot, at room temperature, or chilled, and it’s very popular in Korea and Japan. In Korea it goes by the name boricha, and the Japanese call it mugicha. read more