Mugicha is one of Japan's most widely consumed daily teas, prepared from roasted barley rather than tea leaves. Naturally caffeine free and deeply refreshing, it has been enjoyed across generations as an everyday household drink, particularly during the warmer months when it is commonly served chilled.
Produced by Kyoto tea house Ippodo, these one pot tea bags offer a convenient way to prepare larger volumes without compromising flavour. Each bag contains carefully roasted barley selected to produce a tea that is smooth, comforting and remarkably easy to drink throughout the day.
The aroma is warm and inviting, recalling toasted grain, caramelised malt and freshly baked bread crust. When prepared hot, Mugicha is rounded and comforting with notes of roasted barley, malt and gentle nuttiness. The flavour is full without heaviness, offering depth and sweetness without bitterness or astringency.
Served cold, Mugicha takes on a lighter and more refreshing character. The roasted grain notes remain present, though the profile becomes cleaner and more thirst quenching, making it particularly well suited to warmer weather and larger format brewing.
Whilst often regarded as a simple household beverage, the quality of Mugicha is shaped by the same attention to sourcing, roasting and flavour development that defines Japan's broader tea culture. Drawing upon more than three centuries of tea expertise, Ippodo's version delivers a particularly balanced and approachable interpretation of this enduring Japanese staple.
Weight | 10g x 18 Bags
Origin | Kyoto, Japan
Best Suited For
• Hot brewing
• Cold brewing
• Family and household drinking
• Evening drinking
• Naturally caffeine free consumption
Enjoy with
•Tamago sando
• Grilled fish and simple Japanese home cooking
• Cold soba or somen noodles
• Japanese curry rice
• Toast with butter and fruit preserves
• Watermelon, peach and pear
• Rice crackers and lightly salted savoury snacks
About the Producer
Founded in Kyoto in 1717, Ippodo Tea has spent more than three centuries dedicated to Japanese tea. Originally established as Omiya by Rihei Watanabe, the business later received the name Ippodo from Prince Yamashina, who admired the quality of its teas and encouraged the family to preserve a singular commitment to excellence.
Today, Ippodo remains family owned and is overseen by the sixth and seventh generations. Whilst internationally recognised for matcha, the producer's expertise extends across the full spectrum of Japanese tea, from sencha and gyokuro through to everyday household favourites such as Mugicha.
For more than 300 years, Ippodo has focused on sourcing, blending and evaluating teas that are approachable, enjoyable and capable of enriching daily life. This philosophy continues to guide the producer today, whether crafting exceptional ceremonial matcha or humble daily teas enjoyed around the family table.
Brewing Instructions
Hot Brewing
• 1 tea bag
• 1000ml water
• 95–100°C
• Steep for 60 seconds
Cold Brewing
• 1 tea bag
• 1000ml filtered cold water
• Steep for 1 hour
For a deeper extraction, steep for 10–12 hours in the refrigerator.
