Roasted Wheat Tea and Roasted Barley Tea

Why people make this tea

Roasted grain teas have a long, humble history in Chinese kitchens, and for good reason: they are approachable, affordable, and genuinely pleasant to drink. Roasted wheat tea has a nutty, lightly toasty flavour and is traditionally associated with calming the heart, steadying the nerves, easing the kind of restless worry that keeps people awake, and even reducing excess sweating. Roasted barley tea — already popular across East Asia — is a favourite summer drink for its cooling, slightly bitter quality; it traditionally supports digestion, reduces bloating, and helps the body shed excess water. Both teas share an association with easing depression-like states and relieving mental pressure. Nourilo noticed a report suggesting that a cool glass of barley tea at night might support sleep better than warm milk — and decided to try it himself. Whatever the science, he found it worth recommending.

Method

1. If toasting at home: place raw wheat (or barley) kernels in a dry pan over low-medium heat and stir continuously for about 7 minutes until golden and fragrant. Cool completely, then store in an airtight glass jar.
2. Place 2 tablespoons of roasted kernels into a teapot or heatproof mug. Rinse once with boiling water, then discard the rinse water.
3. Add fresh boiling water and steep for 15 minutes.
4. Pour and drink warm or at room temperature. The pot can be refilled with boiling water and steeped again until the flavour is gone.

Nourilo’s Tips

Buying pre-roasted grain from a Chinese herb or spice shop saves time. For home roasting: wheat does not need washing beforehand — just toast it dry for about 7 minutes, cool, and store. When preparing to drink, rinse once with boiling water before steeping. A thermos flask works well for keeping the tea warm all day. Aim for 3–5 servings a week rather than drinking it every single day — let the body do its own work too. Unripe wheat grains (fu xiao mai, a Chinese pharmacy item) are even more effective at stopping excessive sweating and can be used in place of regular wheat.