What are the ingredients of ginseng tea? Your Comprehensive Guide

December 13, 2025 •

4 min read

Historically, ginseng tea is technically a misnomer, as it is an herbal infusion brewed from the ginseng plant's root rather than traditional tea leaves. What are the ingredients of ginseng tea, and how do they vary across different cultures, preparation styles, and commercial products?

Quick Summary

Ginseng tea's primary ingredient is the ginseng root, but its composition varies widely depending on the recipe. Preparations range from simple infusions to complex blends with ingredients like honey, ginger, jujubes, and other sweeteners.

Key Points

Core Ingredient: The primary component is the ginseng root, which can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an extract.
Type Matters: The ginseng type used, such as Korean (Panax) or American, dictates the tea's flavor and effects, from stimulating and earthy to calming and sweet.
Traditional Additions: Classic Korean insam-cha often includes jujubes (Korean dates), chestnuts, and honey to enhance flavor and sweetness.
Flavor Customization: Many drinkers add ingredients like ginger, lemon, cinnamon, or licorice root to modify the taste and add unique profiles.
Instant Tea Ingredients: Store-bought versions frequently use ginseng extract combined with sweeteners like glucose and lactose for convenience and flavor consistency.
Caffeine Content: Pure ginseng tea is naturally caffeine-free, but blended products containing green or oolong tea will have caffeine.
No True Tea Leaves: Traditional ginseng tea is an herbal infusion from the root, not a beverage made from the Camellia sinensis plant.

The Core Ingredient: Ginseng Root

At its most fundamental, ginseng tea is an infusion of the ginseng plant's root. The type and form of the root heavily influence the tea's flavor and properties. Panax ginseng, or Korean ginseng, is the most common variety used, known for its bold, earthy, and sometimes bitter flavor. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) offers a milder, sweeter, and more calming profile. Siberian ginseng is botanically distinct and contains different active compounds, yet it is still considered an adaptogen and used in some preparations.

Ginseng can be used in several forms to make tea:

Fresh Root: The root is washed, thinly sliced, and then simmered in water. This provides a fresh, potent flavor.
Dried Root: The root is dried and can be steeped directly or re-steamed to soften it before slicing. This method is common for long-term storage.
Powder or Extract: This is a convenient, quick method for brewing. Instant teas often use powder or extract, which dissolves rapidly in hot water.

Traditional and Flavor-Enhancing Additions

While a basic ginseng tea requires only ginseng and water, many recipes, particularly traditional Korean ones, add other ingredients to balance the earthy flavor and enhance the brew's characteristics.

Traditional Korean Enhancements

Korean insam-cha is a classic example of a blended ginseng tea, demonstrating a rich, layered flavor profile. Key additions include:

Jujubes (Korean Dates): Add a natural, mild sweetness.
Dried Korean Chestnuts: Contribute a nutty, robust flavor.
Honey: Sweetens the tea and complements the ginseng's taste.
Pine Nuts: Often floated on top of the finished tea for aroma and texture.

Modern and Flavor-Customizing Add-ins

For those looking to balance the bitterness or add their own unique twist, these ingredients are commonly used:

Honey or Maple Syrup: Provides natural sweetness to counteract the root's earthy taste.
Lemon or Orange: A slice of citrus adds brightness and a refreshing tang.
Ginger Root: A classic pairing that adds a warm, spicy kick and can offer additional digestive benefits.
Cinnamon Sticks: Infuses the tea with a warm, spicy-sweet aroma.
Licorice Root: Provides a natural sweetness that blends well with ginseng's flavor.

Comparison: Homemade vs. Store-Bought Ginseng Tea

The ingredients in ginseng tea can differ drastically depending on whether you make it from scratch or purchase an instant, packaged product. Knowing these differences is key to choosing the right tea for your preferences and health goals.


Feature	Homemade Ginseng Tea	Store-Bought Instant Ginseng Tea
Core Ingredient	Fresh or dried ginseng root	Ginseng extract or powder
Sweeteners	Often honey, maple syrup, or jujubes	Commonly glucose, lactose, or other added sugars
Flavor Profile	Earthy, potent, and can be customized with fresh ingredients like ginger or lemon	Can have a more processed, consistently sweet taste with added flavors
Preparation	Requires simmering or steeping for a longer period	Simply dissolves in hot or cold water within moments
Purity	Contains only the brewed natural ingredients	May contain fillers or non-ginseng additives for stability and flavor

Blended Ginseng Tea Variations

Beyond the root-based infusion, ginseng is also a popular ingredient in blended teas. These products combine ginseng with other tea leaves or herbs to create a wider range of flavors and effects. Some popular variations include:

Ginseng Green Tea: Blends ginseng with green tea leaves for a caffeinated beverage that combines the earthy, slightly sweet notes of ginseng with the grassy brightness of green tea. Some may use natural ginseng flavoring.
Ginseng Oolong Tea: Oolong tea leaves are coated in ginseng and licorice powder, creating a unique, mildly sweet and earthy brew with caffeine.
Ginseng and Ginger Tea: Combining ginseng with ginger root is a classic pairing that adds a spicy warmth and digestive benefits.
Ginseng and Chamomile Tea: Blending with chamomile creates a calming herbal infusion, contrasting with ginseng's typical energizing effects.

Conclusion

While the core of any ginseng tea is the ginseng root itself, the term represents a wide spectrum of beverages. From the simple, pure root infusion to complex traditional decoctions with jujubes and honey, and modern instant versions with sweeteners and additives, the ingredient list is highly variable. Your choice depends on your preference for authenticity, convenience, and flavor profile. Whether you prefer the potent, customizable taste of a homemade brew or the consistent flavor of a pre-packaged blend, understanding what are the ingredients of ginseng tea empowers you to select the best option for your needs.

For more information on the various types of ginseng and their potential health benefits, consult resources like WebMD, which offers detailed guidance on supplements.(https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-ginseng)

The Brewing Process: A Quick Guide

Making ginseng tea at home is a simple process, with the main variations depending on the form of ginseng used.

Using Fresh or Dried Root

Preparation: Wash and thinly slice 1-2 inches of ginseng root.
Simmering: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, add the ginseng slices, then reduce heat to a simmer for 20-30 minutes for a robust flavor.
Strain and Serve: Strain the tea into a cup and add optional honey or lemon to taste.

Using Ginseng Powder

Preparation: Add 1 teaspoon of ginseng powder to a cup.
Pour Hot Water: Pour one cup of hot (not boiling) water over the powder and stir to dissolve.
Steep: Allow to steep for 3-5 minutes before adding sweetener and serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, traditional ginseng tea is an herbal infusion made from the root of the ginseng plant. It does not contain leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant, which produces black, green, and oolong tea.

The primary difference lies in the type of ginseng used. Korean (Panax) ginseng is considered more stimulating with a bolder, earthier taste, while American ginseng is considered more cooling and has a milder, slightly sweeter flavor profile.

Instant ginseng teas, especially in granular form, often include glucose to provide sweetness and help the powder or granules dissolve easily and evenly in hot or cold water.

Yes, homemade ginseng tea is highly customizable. Many people add ingredients like honey, lemon, ginger, or cinnamon to enhance the flavor and balance the root's earthy notes.

No, the ingredients can vary significantly. Homemade tea typically uses fresh or dried ginseng root, while store-bought instant versions often contain ginseng extract, glucose, and other additives for flavor and solubility.

Jujubes are Korean dates that are often added to traditional insam-cha (Korean ginseng tea). They provide a natural, mild sweetness and contribute to the tea's rich flavor profile.

A pure ginseng root infusion is naturally caffeine-free. However, some commercial blends combine ginseng with green tea, oolong tea, or other caffeinated ingredients, so it is important to check the product label.