Tag: Korean beverages

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), unsweetened coffee—primarily the Americano—is the most frequently consumed beverage among South Korean adults. This statistic highlights a powerful shift in the nation's drinking habits, moving beyond traditional beverages and embracing a globalized, on-the-go lifestyle.

According to the official manufacturer of Chilsung Cider, Korea's most famous carbonated beverage, the drink is proudly caffeine-free. This may come as a pleasant surprise to many, especially those who associate the term 'cider' with Western alcoholic or caffeinated drinks. This caffeine-free standard holds true for most Korean cider products, which are essentially lemon-lime sodas.

The intensely fragrant yuzu, a citrus fruit that originated in China and was introduced to the Korean peninsula during the Tang dynasty, is deeply embedded in Korean culture and cuisine. But do Koreans use yuzu? Yes, absolutely, and they refer to it as 'yuja' (유자), a treasured ingredient particularly famous for its role in traditional Korean citron tea.

While many Westerners are accustomed to black or green tea, a staple in Korean homes and restaurants is *oksusu-cha*, a warming, everyday brew. It's a caffeine-free infusion enjoyed both hot and cold, with a rich history and numerous health benefits that explain why Koreans drink corn tea so frequently.

Korean green tea typically contains less caffeine than coffee, with 20-30mg per serving. This variation highlights that while some Korean teas are caffeinated, many popular traditional infusions contain none, so the answer to "Does Korean tea have caffeine?" is that it depends on the specific type.