Omija (Five-Flavor Berry)
์ค๋ฏธ์o-mi-ja
A tart red berry for tea and punch
Omija (Schisandra chinensis) means "five flavors": the berries are said to taste sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent all at once. The dried red berries steep into a vivid pink-red drink.
- Korean name
- ์ค๋ฏธ์ (o-mi-ja)
- What it is
- A tart red berry for tea and punch
- Storage
- Keep dried berries airtight.
- Substitute
- Hibiscus tea with a little cranberry juice gives a similar color and tartness.
- Recipes
- Used in 10 recipes on coo K food
Steep it cold
Always steep omija in cold or room-temperature water, usually overnight โ hot water draws out bitterness. Strain, then sweeten the tart, complex liquid with honey, sugar or fruit.
How it is used
Omija tea (omija-cha) is served cold in summer and warm in winter. Omija-hwachae is a traditional punch with pear cut into flower shapes and pine nuts floating on top. The steeped liquid is also made into syrup, jelly, dressings and alcohol-free sangria.
๐ง How to store it
Keep dried berries airtight. Refrigerate the steeped liquid and use it within three days.
๐ Substitutes
Hibiscus tea with a little cranberry juice gives a similar color and tartness.
๐ Where to buy
Look for it at Korean or pan-Asian grocery stores such as H Mart, or order it online โ it keeps well, so it is easy to stock up.
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