Whispered by the Tea

In Korea, water is served freely at restaurants, no matter how much you drink. This simple gesture often surprises first-time visitors to South Korea. Yet the moment that truly lingers is when bottled water is replaced with a roasted barley tea.

This barley tea is more than just a drink to quench your thirst. It embodies the care and thoughtfulness of the host. It is a tradition steeped in jeong—the uniquely Korean spirit of affection and welcome. In winter, a cup of barley is a quiet moment of warmth and contentment, shared in the chill of the season.

Host’s kindness shines through with warm tea instead of bottled water. Here, buckwheat tea takes the place of barley tea. The fabric-wrapped kettle adds a charming touch.

The Origins of Barley Tea

Today, bottled water is readily available everywhere, but about 30 years ago, paying for water was unimaginable in Korea. During the 1988 Seoul Olympics, bottled water was reserved for international athletes only, while locals relied on boiled tap water or mountain spring water.

At home, roasted grains were added to boiling water to create barley tea for fresh drinking water. My grandmother would fill glass bottles with her freshly brewed tea, always ready for the family. Those bottles were more than a drink. They were a part of our everyday life. It is also a reminder of Korea’s warmth and the comfort of shared traditions.

Barley tea fills the home with warmth and comfort. Best savored within two days.

Darye, The Art of Hospitality in Tea

While Japanese chado is renowned for its precision and formal rituals, Korean darye takes a different approach. Rather than a tea ceremony, it could be called a tea gathering—a relaxed and gracious tradition that prioritizes welcoming and honoring guests.

Darye is not bound by rigid rules but centers on hospitality, connection, and care. Experiencing darye in a traditional hanok during winter feels especially profound. Sitting on a heated ondol floor, sipping tea prepared with care, you find yourself immersed in a moment of quiet warmth and seasonal harmony.

Korea’s darye, enjoyed in a more relaxed setting. Preparations are in full swing for the tea gathering.

A Winter Remedy in a Cup

Korean tea often serves a greater purpose than taste alone. In winter, tea becomes a remedy, restoring balance and warmth. Among these, gopul-tang—named for the Korean word for a cold, gopul—is a quintessential winter brew.

Boiling gopul-tang with dried tangerine peels, pumpkin and red bean tea, yuzu, and aged green tea leaves (jacksal) for a comforting winter brew.

Each family or region prepares gopul-tang differently. Common ingredients include yuzu, ginger, dried tangerine peels, jujubes, and honey, with some recipes calling for aged green tea leaves (jacksal) for a deeper flavor. In Hadong, a region celebrated for its tea traditions, gopul-tang has long been cherished as a seasonal elixir. A single sip offers not only warmth but also a connection to Korea’s timeless winter wisdom.

Each sip of gopul-tang feels like chasing away a winter cold.

Similarly, Ssanghwa-cha is another beloved winter tea with a focus on health and nourishment. Made by simmering medicinal herbs such as cinnamon, licorice root, and jujubes, it offers a rich and soothing flavor. Often served with a poached egg for added warmth and energy, Ssanghwa-cha is a comforting companion during Korea’s colder months.

The nourishing Ssanghwa-cha, a classic Korean herbal tea, is a perfect winter remedy. Simmered with medicinal herbs and sometimes served with a floating egg, it warms both body and soul.

The Journey of Korean Tea

A cup of tea in Korea is a reflection of its people and their enduring values. Barley tea speaks to a history of ingenuity and care, while gopul-tang embodies the nurturing spirit of Korean winters. And a tea gathering in a hanok offers a moment to pause.

For those seeking the origins of Korean tea, Hadong, Boseong, and the Jirisan region offer unparalleled experiences. Mist-shrouded hills and fertile soil make these areas the heart of Korea’s traditional tea heritage. The lush green fields are not just scenic. They stand as living testaments to centuries of craftsmanship.

The Boseong tea fields in early spring. Even more stunning when lush and green in the summer.

This winter, discover the story within each cup of Korean tea. It is a story of warmth, care, and a culture that finds beauty in the simplest moments.