Is Barley Tea 0 Calories? The Truth About Mugicha's Nutritional Content

December 14, 2025 •

4 min read

While many bottled barley tea products are labeled "zero calories," a plain, unsweetened brew actually contains trace amounts, typically around four calories per serving, which is legally rounded down to zero. This makes homemade barley tea, or mugicha, a virtually calorie-free and hydrating beverage choice for those watching their caloric intake.

Quick Summary

Roasted barley tea, or mugicha, is virtually calorie-free, though it may contain trace amounts that are negligible for most diets. Bottled versions labeled 'zero calories' are typically unsweetened, and any additional ingredients will alter the calorie count. It remains an excellent, hydrating alternative to sugary drinks.

Key Points

Virtually Calorie-Free: Homemade, unsweetened barley tea contains a negligible number of calories, often rounded down to zero on nutritional labels due to FDA regulations.
Check Bottled Labels: Commercial or bottled barley tea must be checked for added sugars, flavorings, or other ingredients that can increase the calorie count.
Rich in Antioxidants: The beverage provides beneficial antioxidants like chlorogenic and vanillic acids, which offer anti-inflammatory effects.
Caffeine-Free Hydration: As a naturally caffeine-free drink, barley tea is an excellent option for all-day hydration without stimulating effects.
Differs from Barley Water: Barley tea is made by steeping roasted grains, while barley water involves boiling raw kernels, resulting in a more nutrient and calorie-dense beverage.
Not a Weight Loss Shortcut: While a great replacement for high-calorie drinks, barley tea itself is not a magic solution for weight loss and must be part of a balanced diet.

Understanding the 'Zero Calorie' Label

When you see a product marketed as 'zero calories,' it doesn't always mean it contains absolutely no calories. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows manufacturers to label a food or beverage as zero-calorie if it contains fewer than five calories per serving. For homemade barley tea, or mugicha, the trace amounts of carbohydrates and calories from the barley kernels that seep into the water are so minimal that they fall into this category.

This is why, for all practical purposes, a freshly brewed, unsweetened cup of barley tea can be considered calorie-free. The key distinction lies between homemade brews and commercially bottled products, which may introduce other variables.

Homemade vs. Bottled Barley Tea

Making your own barley tea by steeping roasted barley kernels in hot water results in a beverage that is as close to zero calories as you can get, provided no sweeteners are added. This method ensures you are only consuming the essence of the roasted grain and the nutritional benefits that are water-soluble. However, the market is full of ready-to-drink bottled barley teas, and here, a closer look at the label is necessary.

Read the Ingredients: Bottled versions can sometimes contain added sugars, flavorings, or preservatives that will increase the calorie count. Always check the nutrition label to confirm if the 'zero calories' claim is accompanied by a 'zero sugar' claim.
Ingredient Variations: Some commercial barley teas might blend in other ingredients like roasted corn, which can slightly alter the flavor and nutritional profile. For instance, one type of powdered mugicha was found to contain 3 kcal per stick, which dissolves in water.
Serving Size: The 'zero calories' declaration is based on a standard serving size. Consuming multiple servings of a product that contains a small amount of calories can add up over time, though with plain barley tea, this is still negligible.

Health Benefits Beyond the Calories

Considering whether is barley tea 0 calories misses some of the beverage's most notable health benefits. While it's a great option for a calorie-conscious diet, its true value lies in its other properties. As a result of the steeping process, the tea is packed with beneficial compounds.

Rich in Antioxidants: Barley tea contains antioxidants like chlorogenic and vanillic acids, which can help protect the body from cell damage caused by free radicals. This contributes to overall health and may have anti-inflammatory effects.
Melatonin for Sleep: The beverage naturally contains melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep, suggesting it could be a calming, pre-bedtime drink.
Excellent Hydration: Unsweetened barley tea is a fantastic way to stay hydrated, especially in warmer weather. In East Asia, it is often enjoyed cold for this reason.
Oral Health: Studies have shown that consuming barley tea can reduce plaque formation on teeth and lower the levels of certain bacteria in saliva.

Barley Tea vs. Other Common Beverages: A Comparison

Here is a comparison of plain, unsweetened barley tea with other popular drink choices to highlight its position as a health-conscious option.


Beverage Type	Approximate Calories (per 8 oz)	Sugar Content	Caffeine Content	Key Takeaway
Homemade Barley Tea	0–4 calories	0g	None	A hydrating, truly low-calorie, and caffeine-free choice.
Sweetened Bottled Tea	60+ calories (varies)	High	Varies (often caffeinated)	High in calories and sugar, less healthy for daily consumption.
Soda	90–100+ calories	Very High	Varies	Loaded with sugar, provides empty calories with no nutritional benefit.
Black Coffee (Plain)	2–5 calories (per cup)	0g	High	Similar calorie count, but its high caffeine content makes it unsuitable for all-day hydration.
Water	0 calories	0g	None	The ultimate zero-calorie, zero-sugar, zero-caffeine beverage.

The Difference Between Barley Tea and Barley Water

It is important not to confuse barley tea with barley water. While both use barley and water, the preparation and nutritional results are different.

Preparation Methods

Barley Tea (mugicha): Made by steeping roasted barley kernels in hot water. The process extracts the flavor and some nutrients without releasing significant starch from the grain.
Barley Water: Made by boiling raw barley kernels in water. This releases more of the grain's starches and nutrients into the liquid, resulting in a slightly thicker, cloudier, and more calorie-dense beverage. The kernels are sometimes consumed along with the liquid for extra fiber.

Nutritional Impact

Since barley water retains more of the grain's inherent nutritional content, it has a higher calorie count and provides a more substantial amount of vitamins and fiber, particularly the soluble fiber beta-glucan. For individuals specifically targeting a near-zero calorie drink, barley tea is the better choice.

Conclusion

So, is barley tea 0 calories? The answer is yes, for all practical intents and purposes, especially if you are brewing it plain and unsweetened at home. While it may contain a legally negligible amount of trace calories, it is a far healthier option than sugary alternatives. The 'zero calorie' claim on commercial products is generally reliable for unsweetened varieties, but it's always wise to confirm the nutrition label. Beyond its calorie content, barley tea offers a range of health benefits from antioxidants to hydration, making it a valuable addition to a healthy lifestyle. Choosing homemade mugicha is the most direct way to ensure you are enjoying a truly low-calorie, refreshing beverage.

For more information on the health benefits of barley, you can explore resources like the National Institutes of Health.(https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11043873/)

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, they are generally the same. Roasted barley is used to make the tea, giving it its characteristic nutty, toasty flavor. The terms are often used interchangeably to describe mugicha (Japanese) or bori-cha (Korean).

Plain, unsweetened barley tea contains trace amounts of carbohydrates, but they are typically so minimal that they are listed as zero grams per serving on nutrition facts. The majority of the carbs from the grain are not released into the water during steeping.

Yes, because it contains a negligible amount of calories and carbohydrates, unsweetened barley tea is generally considered a safe and compliant beverage for most low-carb and keto diets.

Yes, barley tea is an excellent and flavorful way to stay hydrated. Because it is caffeine-free, it doesn't have the diuretic effect associated with caffeinated beverages.

If you want to add sweetness without calories, you can use a zero-calorie sweetener like stevia or erythritol. For the best health benefits, however, it is recommended to drink the tea plain.

No, barley tea is not naturally gluten-free because barley contains gluten. While the tea itself contains very little of the gluten protein, individuals with celiac disease or a strong gluten sensitivity should avoid it.

Unsweetened barley tea has a similar calorie profile to other herbal teas, like chamomile or peppermint, which are also virtually calorie-free. Black and green teas are also low in calories when consumed without added milk or sugar.