Korean Tea: A Guide to 27 Traditional Teas, Their Benefits, and Where To Buy Them

Last Updated on March 26, 2026

While most of the world views tea as a beverage made by putting hot water on some type of leaf, Koreans seem to make tea with anything and everything they can put hot water on. Hot water on flowers? Why not? Hot water on some roots from the garden? Definitely. Because of this, traditional Korean tea houses can have long rather substantial lists of teas. It can be overwhelming.

It took me forever to remember the names of the Korean teas that I enjoyed, and I often forget when it comes to seeing boxes of teas in the market. Since I’ve taken numerous tourists to a traditional tea cafes and tried just about every one on the list now, I wanted to write a proper guide to Korean tea. Not just for my memory, but for yours too.

From green tea to corn silk tea, barley tea to red ginseng, this guide covers 27 traditional Korean teas, what they taste like, what they’re good for, and how to try them whether you’re in Korea or ordering from home.

Traditional tea cafes like Cha Masineun Tteul in the Bukchon Hanok Village have such amazing teas… if you know what you want. From floral infusions to root-based remedies, Korea offers a wide variety of traditional teas enjoyed for both flavor and health benefits.

These days you don’t even have to go to a tea house to find them. Cafes around the country are adding more teas to their menus, and there are so many options to pick up at markets for home use too. Teas are so common in Korea that they’re even given to kids in daycares and kindergartens instead of water. Yes, it’s that prominent in the culture.

Feel free to skip around and check out what’s in this article. Here’s what you can find:

• Korean Teas at a Glance
• The History of Tea In Korea
• Tea Experiences In Seoul
• A Note on Korean “Tea”
• Traditional Korean Leaf Teas
• Popular Korean Flower Teas
• Delicious Korean Fruit Teas
• Korean Grain, Bean, & Seed Teas
• Herbal Korean Root, Shoot, & Bark Teas

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)

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Korean Teas at a Glance

Tea	Korean Name	Flavor	Caffeine	Best for
Green Tea	녹차 (Nok-cha)	Grassy, fresh	Yes	Anytime, antioxidants
Barley Tea	보리차 (Bori-cha)	Nutty, mild	No	Daily hydration, digestion
Citron Tea	유자차 (Yuja-cha)	Sweet, lemony	No	Colds, sore throats
Ginger Tea	생강차 (Saenggang-cha)	Spicy, warming	No	Colds, nausea, winter warmth
Red Ginseng Tea	홍삼차 (Hongsam-cha)	Earthy, bitter	No	Energy, immunity
Ginseng Tea	인삼차 (Insam-cha)	Earthy, herbal	No	Fatigue, focus
Jujube Tea	대추차 (Daechu-cha)	Sweet, fruity	No	Sleep, anxiety
Five Flavors Tea	오미자차 (Omija-cha)	Sour, sweet, complex	No	Skin, liver function
Plum Tea	매실차 (Maesil-cha)	Tart, bright	No	Digestion, after meals
Chrysanthemum Tea	국화차 (Gukhwa-cha)	Floral, delicate	No	Winter, sore throats
Buckwheat Tea	메밀차 (Memil-cha)	Nutty, savory	No	Circulation, metabolism
Corn Tea	옥수수차 (Oksusu-cha)	Mildly sweet	No	Hydration, daily drinking

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The History Of Tea In Korea

Tea goes back centuries in Korea and some sources have claimed that it goes as far back as the 2nd century. The tradition of tea has seen both times of high interest and periods of low but has often found refuge within Buddhist temples in Korea. Korean tea has a strong link with Korean Buddhism and Buddhists here have preserved the tradition of tea drinking.

According to the Record of Gaya, Queen Heo Hwang Ok, originally from Ayodhya in India, brought a tea plant from India to Korea and planted it on Baegwolsan Mountain in Changwon. Fruit teas like the magnolia berry tea and goji berry tea were being used since the Three Kingdoms Period in Korea. The systematic planting of tea bushes began with the introduction of the Chinese tea culture however and then by Buddhist monks that had continued the traditions centuries later.

During the Joseon Dynasty, Korean tea was used during rites and ceremonies by the royals and upper class. Near the end of the Joseon Dynasty was when commoners adopted the practice in their own family rites as well. The first modern tea house was established in 1924 and the popularity of tea ebbed and flowed.

The most recent resurgence of tea in Korea, in the 1970s, is often attributed to Choi Beom Sul, the head monk of the Dasolsa Temple in the Jirisan Mountain range. He taught all of the key figures that led to a major revival in Korean tea that led to the boom of the 90s.

Korean tea production peaked in the mid-00s which was based on the green tea health craze that swept through the middle class. Today, you can find traditional tea houses all over but especially in the Insadong District. There are also some gorgeous tea houses made by the premier green tea producer in Korea, OSULLOC.

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Tea Experiences In Seoul

If you really want to learn about the rich tea history in Korea and partake in a traditional tea ceremony or learn about brewing and sipping, then definitely look into a tea experience. If you plan to travel to Jeju, Korea, look into staying at Chuidasun Resort, a hotel for tea lovers.

Tea Therapy (티테라피): If you’re in the Bukchon area and want a unique traditional tea cafe experience, stop into Tea Therapy where you can enjoy traditional teas along with a footbath. It’s a wonderful atmosphere.

• Address: 6-1 Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 안국동 6-1)
• Hours: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm
• Make a reservation: There are limited footbaths. If you’d like to enjoy this experience, book ahead on Creatrip.

Korea House: This traditional space near the vibrant Myeongdong and Namsangol Hanok Village offers fantastic traditional Korean tea experiences complete with a show. The tea courses change each season so check throughout the year to see what they’re offering.

• Address: 10 Toegye-ro 36-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 퇴계로36길 10)
• Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 12:00pm ~ 3:00pm; 6:00pm ~ 10:00pm
• How To Book: You can book this experience on Catchtable

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A Note on Korean “Tea”

What tea connoisseurs might be especially keen to note is that Korean “teas” are technically infusions as they don’t contain Camellia Sinensis, the actual green tea leaf. In Korea, the word cha (차) is broadly used for any hot non-coffee beverage. With that in mind, here is a list of Korean teas that include both the leaf teas and the numerous infusions that exist.

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Traditional Korean Leaf Teas

Nok-cha (녹차) — Green tea

The most well known of all Korean teas and a good place to start. Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee but enough to produce a gentle, focused effect.

• Health Benefits: Loaded with antioxidants that support brain function, aid fat loss, protect against certain cancers, and lower the risk of heart disease. Studies have even suggested that regular green tea drinkers may live longer than those who don’t drink it.
• How & When To Drink it: Any time, anywhere. Genuinely one of the most versatile teas on this list.
• Buy it online: OSULLOC is the premier Korean green tea producer. Their organic green tea is available on Amazon.com and it’s the same brand you’ll find in tea houses and in homes across Korea and Jeju. The quality is consistent and it makes an excellent souvenir or gift.

Sollip-cha (솔잎차) — Pine Needle Tea

Made using pine needles from the Korean red pine, harvested around December from trees that are 10-20 years old. There’s also a pine leaf version that is called baegyeop-cha (백엽차), so don’t let that confuse you.

• Health Benefits: Rich in Vitamin C, actually five times the concentration found in lemons, and believed to help with heart disease, varicose veins, skin complaints and fatigue. Also high in Vitamin A, which supports eyesight, improves hair and skin regeneration, and improves red blood cell production.
• How & When To Drink it: There are two types of sollip-cha. The first is harvested, soaked in water for a day, cleaned, rinsed, and dried. The fresh pine needles are infused over low heat when ready to drink and honey or sugar is added. The other version is fermented pine needles. The pine needles are harvested, cleaned and then placed in a sugar solution and fermented in a sunny place for a week or more. To drink, the fermented produce is filtered and consumed as a cold tea.
• Buy it online: Pine needle tea is available on Amazon.com, worth trying if you want to experience something truly unlike any tea you’ve had before.

Fun Fact:  Taoist priests drank pine needle tea because they believed it made them live longer and there is evidence to suggest it helps to slow the ageing process.

Yeonnip-cha (연잎차) — Lotus Leaf Tea

Made from the young lotus leaves that are heat-treated by steaming or roasting, then dried. This tea has been enjoyed for thousands of years.

• Health Benefits: Promotes digestive and circulatory health. Benefits the spleen and stomach and is considered a slimming tea in China. Its antioxidants also have acne-fighting properties. 
• How & When To Drink it: Best enjoyed during the day rather than in the evening, as it can have a diuretic effect.
• Buy it online: Lotus leaf tea is available on Amazon.com

Gamnip-cha (감잎차) — Persimmon Leaf Tea

Made from the persimmon leaves that grow plentifully in Korea. The leaves are harvested from trees in the valleys in June. This caffeine-free tea has a slightly bitter taste.

• Health Benefits: Rich in Vitamin C to boost the immune system and metabolism. Highly recommended to people that suffer from acid reflux.
• How & When To Drink It: Steep for 2-3 minutes. Simple and quick
• Buy it online: Persimmon leaf tea is available on Amazon.com

Fun Fact: Though the tea comes from the persimmon tree, it doesn’t taste like the fruity persimmon.

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Popular Korean Flower Teas

Gukhwa-cha (국화차) — Chrysanthemum tea

Made using Indian chrysanthemum flowers collected before they’re fully open. The flowers are blanched in bamboo salt water, washed, and dried for later use. When you order a cup, three or four flowers are placed in a cup and hot water is poured over them. In Korea, this tea is also served with a honey variation in which the flowers are preserved in honey for weeks and then for drinking, hot water is poured over a scoop of the honey flower mixture.

• Health Benefits: Caffeine-free. Believed to help with varicose veins, flu, sore throats, fevers, high blood pressure, and dizziness.
• How & When To Drink it: Especially popular in the winter months in Korea. A lovely warming cup on a cold day.
• Buy it online: Chrysanthemum tea is available on Amazon.com

Fun Fact: Even though this tea has been enjoyed in China for hundreds of years, there has been little testing on the health benefits of this tea so its health benefits are widely believed… but not yet proven.

Mindeulle-cha (민들레차) — Dandelion tea

A clean, subtly fragrant tea. Worth knowing: Some people are allergic to dandelion, so if you haven’t had it before, start with a small amount. One study found increased urine output after two cups, so it’s better enjoyed during the day.

• Health Benefits: Dandelions provide powerful antioxidants and have been known to be effective in liver detoxification. 
• How & When To Drink It: If you want to try to make this one your own as dandelions are indeed plentiful, just make sure the plants haven’t been treated with chemicals. Harvest young dandelions, clean them and prepare them and then pour hot water on them for 15-20 minutes.
• Buy it online: Dandelion tea is available on Amazon.com

Fun Fact: Dandelion tea is often used as a coffee substitute for people that like the taste of coffee but can’t handle all of the caffeine.

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Delicious Korean Fruit Teas

Daechu-cha (대추차) — Jujube tea

One of the more commonly found teas on cafe menus across Korea, jujube tea is easy to spot and hard to forget. It’s made by boiling dried jujubes or, more often, simmering them on low heat for around 8 hours until they become a sweet syrup. This syrup is then used to make the tea and can also be found ready-made in markets around the country.

• Health Benefits: High levels of iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, and Vitamin B and C. Traditionally used to help with sleep troubles and insomnia. Rich in flavonoids and has been shown to have a calming effect on the brain and nervous system. Also helps relieve anxiety.
• How & When To Drink it: Hot or cold anytime of the year.
• Buy it online: Jujube tea is available on Amazon.com, the syrup version is the most convenient for home use and tastes closest to what you’d get in a Korean tea house.

Maesil-cha (매실차) — Plum tea

This is one of my personal favorites, and we are often offered it after a meal at restaurants. It uses green Korean plums and has a sharp, bright, tart flavor that is incredibly refreshing. If you want to try making this yourself, get the dried plums at a traditional market like the Mangwon Traditional Market and combine them with sugar in a jar, over time you’ll get a sweet liquid that makes the tea beautifully.

• Health Benefits: Helps with fatigue and stimulates the appetite. Supports detoxification and relieves symptoms of food poisoning and digestive discomfort.
• How & When To Drink it: Hot or cold depending on the season. A particularly good after-meal drink.
• Buy it online: Korean plum tea concentrate is available on Amazon.com, look for maesil syrup, which is the most versatile form.

Fun Fact: While it’s called “plum tea” in Korea, the same drink is called “apricot tea” in Japan.

Omija-cha (오미자차) — Five Flavors tea

This one has been one of the easiest for me to remember because it says “five” right in the name. “오” means five in Korean. Also known as magnolia berry tea or schisandra tea, this is one of the more unusual teas on the list. If the dried berries are boiled in hot water they come out quite bitter, but when steeped in cold water, as is traditional, you might taste a range of five distinct flavors: bitter, sweet, sour, salty, pungent.

• Health Benefits: Relieves fatigue and thirst, improves kidney and liver function as well as blood circulation. Also believed to increase resistance to disease and stress, and to benefit the skin.
• How & When To Drink it: Warm or cold, often sweetened with a touch of sugar or honey.
• Buy it online: Omija/schisandra berry tea is available on Amazon.com

Yuja-cha (유자차) — Citron tea

Korean citron tea, yujacha (유자차), tastes exactly as the name would suggest. It’s made from yuja, a citrus fruit that looks like a small grapefruit and is a cousin to the mandarin. The tea is made using the yuja marmalade, which makes it one of the easiest Korean teas to make at home. Any Korean market will have it in jars, just heat some water, add a couple of spoonfuls of the marmalade, and stir.

• Health Benefits: Relieves coughs and sore throats, provides a strong source of Vitamin C, soothes seasickness, suppresses fevers, enhances skin complexion, and supports digestion. Commonly drunk during cold and flu season.
• How & When To Drink It: Hot or cold. Most popular in winter but available and enjoyable year-round. The citron syrup can also be used when cooking other dishes.
• Buy it online: Yuja marmalade tea is widely available on Amazon.com, it’s one of the best Korean teas to bring home as a gift.

Fun Fact: King Sejong, one of the most beloved rules of Korea, loved this tea and often promoted it.

Eunhaeng-cha (은행차) — Ginkgo tea

You can’t walk down a street in Seoul in autumn without noticing the Ginkgo trees, and their rather pungent fruit. While most people step around the fallen ginkgo fruits, older Korean women can be seen scooping them up to make syrups and teas. It’s a very Korean scene.

• Health Benefits: Believed to be effective in alleviating arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and menopausal disorders, as well as preventing dementia and gray hair. 
• How & When To Drink It: Often served as a syrup with hot water poured over it, or in powder form mixed with water.
• Buy it online: Gingko tea is available on Amazon.com

Fun Fact: The Ginkgo trees first appeared over 290 million years ago and the leaves have been found in fossils. They are basically the dinosaurs of trees.

Sansuyu-cha (산수유차) — Carnelian cherry tea

The sansuyu flowers are beautiful in the spring and just as beautiful are the bright red berries they produce in the autumn. The berries are dried and used for this medicinal herbal tea, which has a distinctly tart taste.

• Health Benefits: Rich in vitamin A and believed to help improve the circulatory system.
• How & When To Drink It: Add honey to offset the pungent sourness, it makes a great differnce.
• Buy it online: Carnelian cherry tea is available on Amazon.com

Seokryu-cha (석류차) — Pomegranate tea

Vibrant red in color with a tart, delectable flavor. Since pomegranates can be expensive in Korea, it’s worth ordering this one whenever you see it on a tea house menu. It’s a treat.

• Health Benefits: Pomegranates are known as a super fruit and can help tighten skin, strengthen muscles, boost the immune system, lower the cholesterol and prevent heart disease.
• How & When To Drink It: Served hot. If you want to make it at home, use this recipe by Maangchi.

Fun Fact: Koreans believe pomegranate tea is great for women and you’ll see a lot of Korean women drinking this when going through menopause.

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Korean Grain, Bean, & Seed Teas

Bori-cha (보리차) — Barley Tea

Barley tea is everywhere in Korea and you’ll encounter it constantly without even ordering it. My Korean mother-in-law has a jug of it in the fridge ever time we visit. My daughter’s daycare and kindergarten gave it to the children instead of water. Restaurants and cafes offer it on the table. We now keep a jug of it in our own fridge at all times. It has a mild, nutty flavor and once you’ve had a few glasses, you’ll find it just as refreshing at water, maybe more so.

• Health Benefits: Caffeine-free. Helps with digestion, weight management, and blood sugar control. Korean mothers begin giving it to children as young as six months old.
• How & When To Drink it: Hot or cold, year-round. Truly an all occasion tea.
• Buy it online: Korean barley tea bags are widely available on Amazon.com, stock up. Once you start drinking this regularly, you’ll wonder how you didn’t before.

Fun Fact: If you ask for water in the traditional markets when you’re eating, you’ll must likely get barley tea.

Memil-cha (메밀차) — Buckwheat Tea

A really common tea found in restaurants and in households in Korea. Buckwheat is also used in dishes like naengmyeon and spicy buckwheat noodles which you can get at Gwangjang Market in downtown Seoul. Buckwheat kernels are first roasted and then boiled to make a savory, nutty tea that can feel quite filling.

• Health Benefits: Caffeine-free. Improves circulation, helps prevent varicose veins, and helps to boost metabolism. Rich in antioxidants and has cardiovascular benefits. Also shown to help regulat blood glucose levels.
• How & When To Drink it: Hot or cold, any time of the year. Some people add a little sweetener and milk.
• Buy Some: Buckwheat tea is available on Amazon.com

Yulmu-cha (율무차) — “Job’s Tears” tea

Not literally made from anyone’s tears, this tea comes from a plant that is named after the Biblical character Job, also known as coix seed. It’s quite unlike the others on this list: thick, warm, and soupy rather than a clear infusion. Think of it as a hearty drink rather than a sipping tea. It’s gluten-free, which makes it a useful grain substitute for those who can’t tolerate gluten.

• Health Benefits: High in protein and fat. Helps reduce cholesterol, supports cancer prevention, aids in treating endocrine disorders, supports bone health, and can help with weight management.
• How & When To Drink it: Best enjoyed warm in the mornings or as a filling afternoon drink. Add a touch of honey if you want a little sweetness. This one is more of a meal in a cup than a light infusion.
• Buy it online: You can buy some here on Amazon.com

Fun Fact: This has been shown to ease period cramps more effectively than over-the-counter medicine.

Oksusu-cha (옥수수차) — Corn Tea

Koreans love corn, you’ll find it on pizza, in ice cream, in cakes, and yes, in tea. Corn tea is made from dried, roasted kernels that are boiled to produce a pale yellow tea with a mild, naturally sweet flavor. Koreans will tell you the corn is already sweet enough on its own, but adding a touch of sugar is common too.

• Health Benefits: Rich in Vitamin B6, B12, and C. Great for hydration.
• How & When To Drink It: Boil the roasted kernels until the water turns yellow, strain, and serve. Hot or cold. Another one you’ll often find on restaurant tables in place of water.
• Buy it online: Korean corn tea is available on Amazon.com

Fun Fact: This tea is also a replacement for water in a lot of restaurants so if you get tea on the table instead of water, it’s probably this one. 

Oksusu-Suyeom-cha (옥수수수염차) — Corn Silk Tea

While the corn tea uses the corn kernels, this version uses the silky part of the corn husk. No part of the corn goes to waste in Korea. This version of the corn tea is a bit sweeter than the corn kernel tea.

• Health Benefits: A natural diuretic that will helps cleanse the urinary tract and regulate blood sugar levels. 
• How & When To Drink It: Steep dried corn silk in hot water for 10-15 minutes. Strain and serve hot or cold. A popular summer drink when served chilled.
• Buy Some: Corn silk tea is available on Amazon.com

Fun Fact: Corn silk has been used by people all around the world from ancient times due to its healing properties.

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Herbal Korean Root, Shoot, & Bark Teas

Danggwi-cha (당귀차) — Angelica Root Tea

This plant isn’t just popular in Korea, it’s also been used for medicinally in Finland, Norway, and Sweden as well as by the Inuits in Greenland. The entire plant can be used in food, spices, and medicines, but the root is the star when it comes to herbal remedies. The roots are harvested in winter when they’re most potent, then dried in perparation.

• Health Benefits: Helps with loss of appetite, heartburn, indigestion, intestinal gas, colic, bad blood circulation, arthritis, bronchitis, asthma, colds, flu, and urinary tract infections.
• How & When To Drink it: Usually enjoyed hot.
• Buy it online: Angelica root tea is available on Amazon.com

Fun Fact:  This tea is also believed to help people that suffer from cold fingers and toes.

Gyepi-cha (계피차) — Cinnamon Tea

Cinnamon is enjoyed the world over and cinnamon tea is as well. Who doesn’t like a cup of cozy? The Korean version uses only the bark from Cassia cinnamon, and the tea is often a blend of cinnamon and ginger, sweetened with honey or sugar and garnished with jujubes for a distinctive take on a tea. It’s warming, aromatic, and deeply comforting.

• Health Benefits: Full of antioxidants. Cinnamon bark contains catechins and procyanidins which protect the body from oxidative stress. Also helps to lower the risk for heart disease, protects overall health and mental capacity, and boosts the immune system.
• How & When To Drink it: Warm, in any season, though especially satisfying in winter.

Fun Fact: Cinnamon tea is enjoyed all around the world. In Chile, the tea is called “te con canela”.

Insam-cha (인삼차) — Ginseng tea

Ginseng was something I knew very little about before moving to Korea. Now I encounter it constantly, in teas, in candies, in supplements, even in chicken soup. The best ginseng roots in Korea come from Punggi and Geumsan, both of which host annual ginseng festivals. If you want to understand Korean wellness culture, ginseng is the place to start.

• Health Benefits: Stimulates the appetite, prevents fatigue, nervous disorders, and helps regulate blood sugar. A natural energy booster and appetite stimulant as it is rich in saponin.
• How & When To Drink it: Hot, throughout the year.
• Buy it online: Korean ginseng tea is available on Amazon.com, look for sachets for the most convenient format.

Fun Fact: There’s a common belief that ginseng should not be ingested by people who tend to have a higher body temperature but this is actually not true! Ginseng can raise or lower the heat in the body depending on the person and the amount of ginseng ingested.

Hongsam-cha (홍삼차) — Red Ginseng Tea

You will see red ginseng teas all over Korea’s souvenir shops and just know that it isn’t just for tourists, Koreas take this seriously. This makes a great gift when you’re in Korea for almost any event. Korean red ginseng is processed differently from regular ginseng (steamed and dried, which gives it its distinctive red color and a more concentrated flavor) and is used widely in supplements and health products across the country.

• Health Benefits: Strengthens the immune system, supports brain functioning, decreases stress and boosts energy.
• How & When To Drink It: Hot or cold. I’ve been gifted sachets of it before and enjoyed it cold, a perfectly pleasant way to drink it. When served hot, it’s usually accompanied by honey and pine nuts.
• Buy it online: Korean red ginseng tea is one of the best things to stock up on before leaving Korea. It’s also available on Amazon.com if you’re shopping from home, look for the CheongKwanJang brand, which is the most trusted name in Korean red ginseng.

Fun Fact: You can also find ginseng roots encased on bottles for sale in Korea. The peculiarly shaped roots resemble little human figures.

Saenggang-cha (생강차) — Ginger tea

Made using ginger root stored with honey, this is the ultimate winter pick-me-up. Ginger is believed to warm the body and help ease symptoms related to fatigue. It helps neutralize toxicity in the body. I’ll be honest, this has a strong taste but has become one of my favorite teas.

• Health Benefits: Used to treat diarrhea, stomachaches and a low body temperature. Often taken at the first stage of a cold to ward of chills and fever.
• How & When To Drink it: A winter staple, though good any time you feel run-down or need warming from the inside out.
• Buy it online: Korean ginger tea is avaialble on Amazon.com

Fun Fact: Ginger tea is usually served garnished with pine nuts in Korea.

Dunggulle-cha (둥굴레차) — Solomon’s Seal Root Tea

A lot of Koreans don’t drink much water, my husband included. Hedoesn’t like the “taste” of water, as he puts it. and Solomon’s root tea is what he reaches for instead. It has a savory, slightly nutty flavor that makes hydration feel like less of a chore. If I want to make sure he’s actually hydrated, I brew a pot of this, let it steep, remove the tea bags, and keep it in a water pitcher in the refrigerator, exactly the way his mother does.

• Health Benefits: Calms the nerves, acts as a mild diuretic and detoxifier, helps to lower blood pressure, and supports cardiovascular health.
• How & When To Drink It: Hot and cold. Makes a particularly good cold drink kept in the fridge for daily sipping.
• Buy it online: Solomon’s Seal root tea is available on Amazon.com

Yeongeun-cha (연근차) — Lotus Root tea

Did you ever have that one friend in school growing up who would always get nosebleeds? If they lived in Korea, their mother would probably give them this tea. Koreans genuinely believe lotus root tea helps stop nosebleeds, and it’s one of those folk remedies that has been passed down through families for generations.

• Health Benefits: Boosts digestion, regulates blood pressure, and is considered good for hair and skin health.
• How & When To Drink It: Place 1-2 teaspoons of lotus root into a cup, pour hot water over it, and let steep for 5 minutes before removing the root. Can be enjoyed hot or cold. Add honey as a sweetener.
• Buy it online: Lotus root tea is available on Amazon.com

Fun Fact: Lotus root is also enjoyed as a side dish in Korea as well. If you see it on the table try it! It has a crunchy, almost water chestnut-like texture that’s quite pleasant.

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FAQ

What is the most popular traditional Korean tea?

Barley tea (bori-cha) is the most widely consumed traditional Korean tea in everyday life. It’s served in restaurants, given to children in schools, and kept in most Korean households year-round. Green tea (nok-cha) is the most internationally recognized Korean tea, particularly associated with the tea fields of Boseong in South Jeolla Province.

Is Korean tea the same as Japanese or Chinese tea?

Not quite. While all three traditions share some common roots, Korean tea culture is distinct. Most traditional Korean teas are technically infusions, made from roots, grains, flowers, and fruits rather than the Camellia sinensis leaf used in Japanese and Chinese tea. Korean tea culture also has a strong connection to Buddhist temple traditions and traditional medicine, giving it a different character from the more ceremony-focused Japanese approach or the extensive leaf variety of Chinese tea.

Which Korean teas contain caffeine?

Of the 27 teas in this guide, only green tea (nok-cha) contains caffeine. All of the grain, fruit, flower, root, and most herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free, which is one of the reasons Korean teas are so popular as everyday drinks for all ages, including children.

What is bori-cha and why is it served instead of water in Korea?

Bori-cha is roasted barley tea and it functions as Korea’s everyday table drink the way water does in most other countries. It’s mild, slightly nutty, completely caffeine-free, and considered beneficial for digestion. Many Korean restaurants and market stalls serve it automatically as a table drink. It’s also commonly kept cold in Korean household fridges year-round.

Where can I buy Korean tea outside of Korea?

Most of the teas in this guide are available on Amazon, look for brands like OSULLOC for green tea, CheongKwanJang for red ginseng, and Korean food importers for everything else. Korean grocery stores in major cities (H-Mart in North America, Korean supermarkets in the UK and Australia) also carry a good range. Barley tea and citron tea in particular are easy to find internationally.

What Korean tea is best for beginners?

Start with yuja-cha (citron tea) or daechu-cha (jujube tea), both are sweet, approachable, and easy to find. Barley tea is also a great entry point if you want something savory and mild. Avoid starting with omija-cha (five flavors tea) or hongsam-cha (red ginseng), both are an acquired taste that rewards you more once you already have a sense of Korean tea flavors.

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