Does Mugicha Have Caffeine?
Mugicha (麦茶) is Japan's summer household drink: roasted barley steeped in cold water, served in a pitcher. Because it comes from barley grains instead of tea leaves, it contains no caffeine at all.
Zero caffeine. Perfect for all ages, all day.
How it compares
Mugicha sits in the same zero-caffeine bucket as its Korean cousin boricha. Japanese families routinely keep a pitcher in the fridge from May through September as the default summer drink.
| Drink | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|
| Mugicha (8 oz) | 0 |
| Boricha (8 oz) | 0 |
| Hojicha (8 oz) | 8 |
| Sencha (8 oz) | 30 |
Caffeine-free picks we recommend
Organic summer tea. Naturally sweet, refreshing roasted barley tea - Japan's favorite caffeine-free beverage.
Korea's #1 daily drink. Naturally sweet, nutty, and caffeine-free roasted barley tea. From trusted Japanese tea brand Ito En.
Frequently asked
What's the difference between mugicha and hojicha?
Mugicha is roasted barley grains (zero caffeine). Hojicha is roasted green tea leaves (about 8 mg). Both taste toasty, but they come from completely different plants.
Can I cold-brew mugicha overnight?
Yes — cold brewing is the traditional Japanese method. Toss a teabag into a 1-liter pitcher of cold water, refrigerate overnight, and sip through the week.