Tuesday TeaDay 6/29/10 Cold brew it!

[laura99]

Thanks for the heads up! I am about out houjicha so it's time for a Den's order anyway. Will add some mugicha - sounds like something good to try.

[TwoPynts]

Mugicha certainly isn't for everyone. A friend of mine is a big tea drinker but hates coffee and barely tea reminds her too much of coffee. The ones I've had always remind me of cheerios, but in a good way!

I get mine in Maeda-en tea bags and brew up a gallon with 2 of them (they are large). I find pure cold brewing produces a tea a little too mild for my tastes, so I put little hot water in for about 5 minutes to "open up" the flavor and then fill the container with cold and let it sit for at least 2 hours before drinking. Very refreshing, ahhh.

[laura99]

Thanks for the tips TwoPynts. I had heard people both cold and hot brewing, your method sound like the best of both worlds.

My Mugicha arrives on Monday!

[TwoPynts]

Thanks for the tips TwoPynts. I had heard people both cold and hot brewing, your method sound like the best of both worlds.

My Mugicha arrives on Monday!

You are welcome Laura. I'm glad I have a little experience to share with this group. So, did your Mugicha arrive and have you tried any yet? For the iced variety, I sometimes like to add a bit of lime or lemon to it, though it is perfectly tasty plain.

[laura99]

Yes I did! Had my first glass iced last night. Just had it plain. Very interesting taste - you get that smoky smell, and the taste is surprisingly sweet.

I got my husband to try a sip (his initial reaction was it’s not some kind of green tea is it ) and he liked it as well. Although I am not sure I would get him to switch from his normal lipton iced tea.

[TwoPynts]

Yeay!

I'm going to making my own from barley at some point, but I have another package of the other stuff to get through still. Try it cold and hold, strong and weak. Very different experiences. Tell your hubby that barley tea has the added benefits of being a natural antacid, is also supposed to help "liquefy" the blood (circulation enhancer), cleanse the body (contains phenolic antioxidants), and aid in stress reduction. Caffeine free too! Gluten sensitive people should avoid it however.

[Chip]

Yeay!

I'm going to making my own from barley at some point

I do this all the time actually, and make my own genmaicha blends.

I usually either pan fire or use a popcorn popper for the roasting.

[debunix]

I've roasted and toasted barley for baking (breads and crackers) and it always smells amazingly good. For me the easiest is the oven, because it is gentlest; I always end up burning some when I do it in a pan. One day I'll have to do some extra for tea.

[TwoPynts]

I do this all the time actually, and make my own genmaicha blends...

Hey, that's pretty neat. What else do you mix into the genmaicha besides rice and green tea? I've never tried it, must be an interesting flavor. Do you know if roasted oats produce a similar flavor? Barley is not common in groceries from what I hear.

[Chip]

I do this all the time actually, and make my own genmaicha blends...

Hey, that's pretty neat. What else do you mix into the genmaicha besides rice and green tea? I've never tried it, must be an interesting flavor.

I use several different rices, including a sweet rice. I also do several other grains including buckwheat, barley, and am always willing to try another.

I have heard about using soybeans ... have not tried that yet.