Is Barley Tea High in Sugar? Unpacking This Healthy Beverage

December 14, 2025 •

4 min read

Pure, unsweetened roasted barley tea contains zero grams of sugar, making it a naturally healthy and guilt-free beverage choice. While its flavor may have a subtle, sweet, and nutty undertone, this taste comes from the roasting process and not from added sugars.

Quick Summary

Roasted barley tea in its traditional form is a naturally low-calorie, hydrating drink with no sugar or artificial ingredients. Its subtly sweet taste is a result of the roasting, not sweeteners, unless added by the consumer.

Key Points

Zero Added Sugar: Traditional roasted barley tea contains no sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Natural Sweetness: The subtle, sweet flavor profile comes from the roasting process, not from sugar.
Diabetic Friendly: Due to barley's low glycemic index and fiber content, the tea can help manage blood sugar levels.
Low Calorie: Plain barley tea is virtually calorie-free, making it an excellent alternative to sugary drinks for weight management.
Check Labels: Always inspect the nutritional facts on bottled versions, as some manufacturers add sugar.
Nutrient-Rich: The tea provides antioxidants and minerals, such as magnesium, manganese, and selenium.

The Truth About Sugar in Plain Barley Tea

For anyone concerned about their sugar intake, the good news is that traditional, plain barley tea is not high in sugar—it's completely sugar-free. This applies to both homemade infusions made from roasted barley kernels and most commercial unsweetened varieties. As a beverage brewed by steeping roasted grain, no sugars are released into the water during the brewing process. The resulting flavor is a product of the roasting, which creates a nutty, toasted taste with a pleasant, mild sweetness. This is different from the concentrated sugars found in fruit juices, sodas, and other sweetened beverages.

Understanding the Natural Flavor Profile

The unique and satisfying taste of barley tea is often misunderstood. It's not a result of sugar, but of the maillard reaction that occurs during roasting. This process is what gives the grain its deep, amber color and rich, nutty aroma. The level of sweetness can vary depending on the roast:

Light Roast: Often produces a flavor with more noticeable natural sweetness.
Deep Roast: Tends to emphasize a stronger, toastier, and more robust flavor profile.

Some traditional Korean bori-cha blends may also include roasted corn, which can naturally increase the perceived sweetness of the brew.

Navigating Bottled and Sweetened Versions

The primary risk of high sugar content comes from pre-sweetened bottled versions and from adding sweeteners at home. It is crucial to read the product label on any pre-packaged barley tea to check the nutritional information. Many Asian groceries carry both unsweetened and sweetened varieties. When making it yourself, you have full control over what goes into your drink. While adding honey, brown sugar, or other sweeteners is an option, it is not necessary to enjoy the tea's flavor and will obviously increase the sugar content.

Health Benefits of a Sugar-Free Beverage

Choosing plain barley tea over sweetened drinks offers several health advantages:

Blood Sugar Management: Barley's soluble fiber, beta-glucan, can help lower blood sugar and insulin levels, making the tea a beneficial choice for people managing diabetes. The tea's low glycemic index (GI) also supports stable blood sugar.
Weight Management: As a zero-calorie, sugar-free alternative to high-calorie beverages, barley tea can support weight loss efforts.
Rich in Antioxidants: Roasted barley contains powerful antioxidants, such as alkylpyrazine and melanoidin, which help protect cells from damage.
Hydration: It is a gentle and refreshing way to stay hydrated throughout the day, especially in warmer months when served cold.
Improved Digestion: The fiber content in barley can promote healthy digestion and relieve constipation.

Comparison: Plain Barley Tea vs. Sweetened Beverages

To illustrate the difference, here is a comparison of plain barley tea and typical sweetened drinks:


Feature	Plain Barley Tea	Sweetened Bottled Tea/Soda
Sugar Content	0g per serving	20-40+g per serving
Calories	Virtually 0-2 calories per cup	80-160+ calories per serving
Caffeine	None	Varies, can contain high amounts
Health Benefits	Aids blood sugar control, rich in antioxidants	Offers minimal to no health benefits, associated with health risks
Flavor Source	Natural roasting process	Added sugars and artificial flavorings

How to Prepare Sugar-Free Barley Tea at Home

Making your own sugar-free barley tea is simple and ensures you control the ingredients. You can find roasted barley kernels or tea bags at most Asian markets. Here's how to do it:

Brewing with Roasted Kernels

Add 1-2 tablespoons of roasted barley kernels to a pot of water (approx. 8 cups).
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Strain the kernels and serve the tea hot or let it cool and chill in the refrigerator.

Brewing with Tea Bags

Place one or more barley tea bags into a pitcher or teapot.
Pour hot or cold water over the bags, depending on your desired temperature.
For a hot brew, steep for 5-10 minutes. For a cold brew, let it steep for several hours in the refrigerator.

For a twist on flavor, try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon or a slice of ginger instead of sugar. For more information on barley's nutritional properties, consult a resource like Healthline.

Conclusion

In summary, plain roasted barley tea is a hydrating, flavorful beverage that is naturally free of sugar and artificial ingredients. Its mildly sweet and nutty taste is a pleasant byproduct of the roasting process, not from added sweeteners. By choosing unsweetened barley tea, you can enjoy a delicious drink that offers significant health benefits, including better blood sugar control and weight management. Always check labels on pre-made products, but when brewing at home, you can confidently enjoy a beverage that is as healthy as it is tasty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plain roasted barley tea, whether brewed from kernels or bags, has no sugar. Its subtly sweet taste is derived from the toasted grain itself, not from any added sweetener.

Yes, unsweetened barley tea is safe for diabetics. The fiber in barley helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, and the tea's natural, sugar-free state prevents spikes in blood glucose.

Yes, bottled or pre-made barley tea can be high in sugar if sweeteners are added during manufacturing. Always check the nutritional label to confirm it is unsweetened before purchasing.

The sweetness comes from the roasting process of the barley grains. This natural reaction, similar to what happens when coffee beans are roasted, creates a mildly sweet and nutty flavor without needing any sugar.

Absolutely. As a zero-calorie, sugar-free, and caffeine-free beverage, barley tea is an excellent and healthier alternative to sugary sodas, juices, and sweetened teas.

You can add your own sweeteners, such as honey, lemon, or brown sugar, but this will add to the total sugar content. For a healthy alternative, consider infusing it with fruit slices like apple or berries for a natural sweetness boost.

While the roasted barley kernels contain carbohydrates, the process of steeping them in water results in a tea with very few, if any, carbs. A typical serving contains less than 1 gram of carbs and no sugar.