Corn tea

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] Along with bori-cha (barley tea), oksusu-cha is one of the free grain teas served in many restaurants in place of water.[3]

Corn tea
TypeHerbal tea
Other namesOksusu-cha
OriginKorea
Quick descriptionTea made from roasted corn kernels
Temperature100 °C (212 °F)
Time5‒10 minutes
Korean name
Hangul
옥수수차
Hanja
玉蜀黍茶
Revised Romanizationoksusu-cha
McCune–Reischaueroksusu-ch'a
IPA[ok.s͈u.su.tɕʰa]
Corn silk tea
Hangul
옥수수수염차
Hanja
玉蜀黍—-茶
Revised Romanizationoksusu-suyeom-cha
McCune–Reischaueroksusu-suyŏm-ch'a
IPA[ok.s͈u.su.su.jʌm.tɕʰa]

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.[4]

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.[4] 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.[4]

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.

  • 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

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