Welcome back after so long. Here's why it took so long...
I managed to do a quick tasting of the Hida Barley tea, which is not a tea per se, as in not Camellia Sinensis. I don't even know if it qualifies as "herbal" tea. It really is just barley. Maybe "Grain" tea? But hey, it's a nice refreshing drink when cold! At least in Japan they like it. I had it warm because I felt like it.
Hida Mugicha
Barley Tea from the Hida region
Manufactured by the Nabeshima Meicha
Cultivated by the Araki Agricultural Cooperative, Toshiro Tanaka
And sold by yunomi.us
(http://yunomi.us/shop/13002/hida-mugicha-barley-tea/)
Steeping method:
1. Bring 1 litre of water to a boil.
2. Place 1 pack (they come in big tea bags) of barley tea into the boiling water.
3. Boil for 5-6 minutes.
4. Enjoy warm or cold.
I enjoyed it warm. Although the rest stayed on my kitchen counter until I finished it. Taking a few glasses here and there.
Barley tea bag:
- Was too opaque to see the barley
- Smelled like roasted barley, somehow a bit like hearty bread (those healthy full of seeds/grains ones) and a bit like steeped small black soybeans (To be more exact, these: http://yunomi.us/shop/9256/yamane-en-black-soybean-tea-200g/)
- Hay-peach colour (I imagined grilled peaches)
- Lighter roasted barley smell, somehow a bit hearty bread and a little bit like steeped small black soybeans
- Mild bread taste
- Barley taste (I kinda expected that)
- Not pungeant or aggressive
- Mild and smooth
- Feels like there is a light astringency
- When cooled down a bit, it gets this neat creaminess
While not a tea (I didn't say I didn't like herbal teas and the likes, just not a big fan of flavoured teas), I really liked it and it was better than anticipated. Refreshing? I'm not sure. I guess really cold it would totally feel refreshing. Not like Handmade lemonade would though (which I also made and it was sooo goood my husband drank most of it without telling me! D:). But warm, it's agreeable and a better solution if like me, you can't have caffeinated drinks (yes, yes, it IS caffeine you find in tea, even if in a lower amount than your average coffee) late in the evening. Because barley and any other herbal teas don't have caffeine. At least, they're not supposed to.
Hot, it's definitely nice, very smooth. I'd recommend trying it that way first and then cool it (to very cold in the fridge if you want) and discover all the different layers of flavours it has to offer. Let it cool down a bit when it's piping hot and you'll be surprised by the creaminess that comes forth. It's worth a taste and I give it a 4.3/5!
That was short, so this one review shouldn't strain your eyes too much! :)
See you next time on the blog! Peace! (Yes, I watch Sesame Street with my son)
