Goji tea

Gugi-cha

Type	Herbal tea
Country of origin	Korea
Ingredients	Goji berries or leaves

Korean name
Hangul	구기차
Hanja	枸杞茶
Revised Romanization	gugi-cha
McCune–Reischauer	kugi-ch'a
IPA	[ku.ɡi.tɕʰa]
Goji berry tea
Hangul	구기자차
Hanja	枸杞子茶
Revised Romanization	gugija-cha
McCune–Reischauer	kugija-ch'a
IPA	[ku.ɡi.dʑa.tɕʰa]
Goji leaf tea
Hangul	구기엽차
Hanja	枸杞葉茶
Revised Romanization	gugiyeop-cha
McCune–Reischauer	kugiyŏp-ch'a
IPA	[ku.ɡi.jʌp̚.tɕʰa]

Gugi-cha (구기차; 枸杞茶) or goji tea is a traditional Korean tea made from dried goji berries or leaves. Traditionally, the tea was made with young goji leaves. Today, mature leaves or, more commonly, berries are used. The tea made with berries may be called gugija-cha (구기자차; 枸杞子茶) or goji berry tea, while the tea made with leaves is referred to as gugiyeop-cha (구기엽차; 枸杞葉茶) or goji leaf tea.

Preparation

To prepare the tea using berries, around 20–25 g (0.71–0.88 oz) of dried goji berries are simmered in two cups of water. Sometimes, the tea also incorporates jujube and ginger, providing a slightly more even, sweet flavor. Other commonly blended ingredients include eucommia, chrysanthemum, rehmannia, eleuthero, and liquorice.

To prepare the leaf tea, around 2–3 g (0.071–0.106 oz) of dried leaves are infused in a cup of hot water. The leaves may be stir-fried in a dry pan for intensified aroma.

For both berry tea and leaf tea, honey—but not sugar— may be added to taste.

See also

• Omija-cha