In Korea, it’s the secret of youthful Asian women: they drink tea instead of water and their skin glows

When you say youthful looks and flawless skin, I think of Korean and Japanese women. They seem to have defied the ravages of time and know the recipe for the elixir of youth. But the secret lies not in magic, but in their genes, their lifestyle and the products they use. They regularly indulge in one drink that is gradually beginning to penetrate other parts of the world.

Perhaps every woman cares at least partly about her appearance. Nowadays, photos of beautiful women and girls are popping out at us from almost every social networking site. Perfect skin and slim bodies awaken in us a feeling of inferiority and sadness that we do not look the same. But when we remove the layers of filters and editing, we find that the reality is very different.

This is not to say that everything is a mere illusion. If we move our finger across the map to Asia, we find that we meet countless women in Japan and South Korea who are often unsure of their age. Thus, all over the world, there has been a surge of interest in Asian cosmetics in recent years, with surprising results. But the real help is a very different product.

The Asian helper

But they don’t achieve beautiful skin just by taking care of it, they regularly drink a drink that is described as an elixir of health and beauty. It is a barley tea made from roasted barley, called bóricha in South Korea and mugicha in Japan. As is customary in Asian countries, most of their methods of treatment and body care find their origins in traditional healing.

When I first heard about this drink, I thought it was just another trend that had come to Europe and the US as a marketing gimmick. And the results? These have apparently been lost in the long journey from the East. That’s what I thought until I spoke to an expert in Asian traditional healing practices. This is not just my personal opinion and experience, nor is it a general phrase, as various studies have shown that barley tea is beneficial to health due to its composition.

Youthful skin and efficient digestion

Let’s talk about what makes barley stand out. In my opinion, it is a drink whose importance is not appreciated. Of course, it won’t make you younger with a few sips, it would be foolish to think so, but thanks to its nutrient content, it does affect how the body ages. Among the most effective ingredients are antioxidants, which help to neutralize free radicals and, above all , slow down the aging process of the skin. And that’s exactly what our skin needs to keep its youthful appearance. Drinking regularly makes it look firmer, more supple and more radiant.

Fibre is also important , as it supports proper bowel function, prevents digestive problems and even speeds up metabolism. Although many of us don’t realise it, the digestive system affects the condition of the skin as the body absorbs nutrients better. “A healthy gut has a balance of bacteria and other organisms that play a key role in your immune system,” explains Beth Czerwony. It also contains B vitamins, zinc or iron. Sipping barley tea also works as a natural detox.

How do I prepare the drink?

Although I was apprehensive about preparing the drink, anyone can do it. First of all, I bought ready-roasted barley, which is available in specialized health food stores. If you can’t get it in this form, roast the barley grains yourself in a dry pan. Prepare a liter of water, add 2-3 tablespoons of barley and boil for 10-15 minutes on low heat. Then strain the liquid and drink it warm or cold, depending on your preference. However, I find the taste of barley tea rather bland, so I add maple syrup or ginger for flavour. The advantage of barley tea is that it is unlimited as it can be drunk throughout the day.

Over the past few years, I have tried several drinks that promised a health boost. I didn’t want to give another one a chance, but being a person who is always trying new things, I couldn’t resist. Right from the start, however, I struggled, especially with choosing the right barley. The market for healthy ingredients is abundant, but if you’re a bit of a fool like me, you can easily substitute whatever comes to hand. Well, what can I do, after some initial peripeteia and some mild aggression, I managed to buy barley and make the drink. If you feel like you didn’t make it right, feel free to try again. Rest assured, however, that I did it too, the perpetual klutz when it comes to trying new drinks and foods.