Food Storyist.

Korean Tea : Citrus tea. Yuzu tea. Yuja cha.



At the end of November, yuzu ripens yellow.
It is the time to prepare for winter with yuzu.

You caught a cold in winter?

Drink Citrus tea! (I would calll it as yuzu tea and Yujacha, 유자차 as well)




About 10 years ago, when I caught a cold in winter, my grandma made me Citrus tea at home. She herself made marmalade-like Citrus syrup in her kitchen. She put a spoonful of yuja syrup in the mug, added hot water, and stirred it slowly until the syrup got well mixed. Handing over the mug to me, she always said that Citrus tea(Yujacha) would help you get better. She explained that thanks to high contain of vitamin C, it worked as a traditional remedy for cold for long. Holding the cup of citrus tea made by my grandma, I sipped up the warmness of tea and her love. I felt as if I recovered from cold right after drinking it. It was just because I truly believe in her saying.



Now, grown up, when I catch a cold in winter, I myself make citrus tea at home. I buy a glass-bottled citrus syrup in the supermarket. I put a spoonful of syrup in the mug, add medium-hot water, and stir it rapidly so that the syrup get mixed quickly. (too lazy to await even water boiling time) I frequently hear that Yujacha will help people get better. I also read several articles about nutritional facts. They always appreciates the wonderful health effects by vitamin C. Holding the cup of citrus tea well-produced by a citrus tea company, I sip up the tastes of tea, but no love. I think as if it didn’t have the same effect on me as before. It is just because it seems to have less effect without love from the one who prepares for me.

1. Linse the yuzu throughly.
2. Remove the flesh. (Incise it without hurting the flesh, so that you can keep the uncut flesh, and use it on other dishes.)
3. Slice the rind very thin.

4. Mix the sliced rind with organic sugar. (Leave some for top covering.)
5. To presever yuzu syrup longer, you can add 100ml liquor such as soju.
6. Put them in the sealed food container.(such as lock&lock)
7. Top the syrup with remained sugar.

8. Cover the cap and keep it in the cool place or fridge for 2 weeks.

It is done to prepare the citrus tea syrup.
After 2 weeks you can just mix it with hot water and enjoy sweet winter tea.

This winter,
                 Why don’t you make Citrus tea for the person you love?