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.