Omija Cha (오미자차)

Prep time: 5 minutes (plus 12 hours cold steep)

Cook time: 0 minutes

Total time: 12 hours 5 minutes

Servings: 4 cups

Country of Origin

Korea

A vibrant pink tea made from dried magnolia berries (omija), celebrated for containing five distinct flavors: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent. Cold-steeped to avoid bitterness and sweetened with honey.

Presentation & How It's Eaten

Served cold in glass cups, often garnished with Asian pear cutouts (shaped like blossoms) floating on top.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried Omija berries (schisandra berries)

• 4 cups cold filtered water

• 3 tbsp honey or sugar syrup

• Asian pear slices (shaped into flowers with cookie cutter, for garnish)

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Rinse Berries: Rinse dried omija berries under cold running water to clear dust.

2. Cold Steep: Combine rinsed berries and cold filtered water in a glass pitcher. Cover and steep in refrigerator for 12–24 hours until water turns bright ruby pink.

3. Strain: Strain liquid through a fine cloth sieve to remove berries.

4. Sweeten: Stir honey or syrup into cold tea until dissolved. Adjust sweetness to taste.

5. Serve: Serve cold in glass cups with floating Asian pear flower cutouts.

Cooking Tips

• Cold Steep Only: Never boil or use hot water on omija berries; hot water extracts harsh bitter and astringent compounds from the seeds.

Nutrition Facts

(Estimated per serving, 1 cup)

• Calories: ~65 kcal

• Total Fat: 0g

• Saturated Fat: 0g

• Cholesterol: 0mg

• Sodium: ~5mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 17g

• Dietary Fiber: 0.5g

• Sugars: 15g

• Protein: 0.2g