How to make mugwort tea | Easy with dried mugwort, explained for teapot, decoction, and homemade

Yomogi tea is a Japanese tea beloved for its young-grass aroma and being caffeine-free. With dried yomogi, you can make it easily just by steeping in a teapot or simmering in a pot. You can also make homemade yomogi tea from fresh yomogi and enjoy it to your preference.

In this article, Agriture, which handles dried-vegetable processing in Kyoto, introduces how to make yomogi tea — from easy brewing with dried yomogi, to the homemade method of picking and making it from fresh yomogi, plus drinking variations and storage tips.

What is yomogi tea? Easy to make from dried yomogi

Yomogi tea is a fragrant tea made by drying yomogi leaves and simmering them. Being caffeine-free, it's easy to work in after a meal or at a time you want to take a breath. If you have dried yomogi on hand, you can make it right away with no special preparation.

Fresh or dried yomogi — which to make it with?

Making it from fresh yomogi takes the effort of de-harshening and drying, but store-bought dried yomogi is pre-prepped and enjoyable just by simmering. If you prioritize ease, dried yomogi; if you also want to enjoy the aroma and the making process, from fresh — use them by situation. The powder type suits a latte you dissolve in hot water or milk more than brewing as tea. For the wide-ranging uses of dried yomogi,How to Use Dried Mugwort.

Basic ways to make yomogi tea with dried yomogi

Ways to make yomogi tea with dried yomogi broadly divide into three: teapot, simmering, and teabag. The ingredients are just dried yomogi and hot water (or water) — very simple. Each is easy, so use them to match your preference and the occasion.

If you want to enjoy the aroma lightly, a teapot suits; if you want it firm, simmering suits. When the bitterness bothers you, reducing the amount of leaves a little brings it closer to your preferred taste.

How to brew it in a teapot

Put 1 tablespoon (about 5 g) of dried yomogi in a teapot (about 350 ml), pour in boiling water, and steep for 3–4 minutes. When the leaves open and the young-grass aroma lifts, it's ready to drink. It suits when you want to brew 1–2 cups easily in a short time.

How to simmer it in a pot

Put 1 L of water and 5–10 g of dried yomogi in a kettle or pot, set it over heat, and once it boils, lower to low heat and simmer for about 1–2 minutes. Simmering brings out the aroma firmly, so making a batch, chilling it, and enjoying it as iced yomogi tea is recommended too.

How to make it with a teabag

Putting chopped dried yomogi in a tea pack makes a homemade teabag. Just put it in a cup, pour in boiling water, and leave a few minutes to make one cup easily. It's portable and a method you can enjoy at the office too. Adjust the strength by the steeping time.

A product catalog that shows around 100 items we handle

Agriture, flexibly handling everything from small lots to large lots

• Available from small lots of 100 g
• We handle heirloom vegetables from across Japan
• Dried fruit and herbs also supported

Download the materials here

How to make homemade yomogi tea from fresh yomogi

You can also make homemade yomogi tea from fresh yomogi picked in spring. It takes effort, but the appeal of homemade is being able to enjoy the difference in aroma.

Steps for prep and drying

1. Pick soft young leaves and wash them well with water
2. Blanch them lightly to remove harshness, and drain the moisture thoroughly
3. Spread them on a colander or drying basket and dry them thoroughly in the sun for about 3–5 days

Finish by dry-roasting

Lightly dry-roasting the dried yomogi in a frying pan over low heat, taking care not to burn it, increases the fragrance. After dry-roasting, let the heat ease and store it in a sealed container. Note that when foraging yomogi, a wild plant, yourself, care is needed to avoid misidentification with similar plants. When you're not confident in identifying it, using store-bought dried yomogi gives peace of mind.

How to drink yomogi tea and variations

Yomogi tea can be enjoyed not just drunk as is but in variations too. Try various ways to drink it to match your mood and the occasion.

• Hot and as is, enjoying the young-grass aroma
• Simmer it strong and chill it for iced yomogi tea
• Combine it with milk or soy milk for a yomogi-tea-latte feel
• Blend it with hojicha or genmaicha to make it easier to drink

Using the powder type,Mugwort powderyou can make a yomogi tea latte easily just by dissolving it in hot water or milk.

How to store yomogi tea

The dried yomogi and tea leaves that are the base of yomogi tea change in how well the aroma keeps depending on storage. Store them away from moisture and light.

• Put in a sealable container or storage bag to keep out moisture
• Avoid direct sunlight and store in a cool dark place
• If you won't use it for a long while, divide it into portions and freeze

Simmered yomogi tea is best finished that same day. If you make it ahead, store it in the fridge and finish it promptly.

Cautions when drinking yomogi tea

When enjoying yomogi tea, a few points give peace of mind. Work it in within a strain-free range to match your constitution and condition.

• Don't drink a large amount at once; watch how you do from about 1–2 cups a day
• Those with an Asteraceae allergy should consult a doctor in advance
• Those pregnant, breastfeeding, or with chronic conditions should consult a doctor before working it in

For details on the side effects and cautions of yomogi,Does yomogi have side effects? Cautions for safe use.

A product catalog that shows around 100 items we handle

Agriture, flexibly handling everything from small lots to large lots

• Available from small lots of 100 g
• We handle heirloom vegetables from across Japan
• Dried fruit and herbs also supported

Download the materials here

Summary

Yomogi tea can be made easily with dried yomogi just by simmering in a teapot or pot. You can also make it homemade from fresh yomogi, with free variations like hot, iced, or latte. To enjoy the aroma for a long time, the trick is to store it sealed in a cool dark place. To enjoy it easily without the effort of prep or worry of misidentification, try choosing domestic dried yomogi.

Frequently asked questions

Recommended reading

• Complete guide to using dried mugwort | From rehydrating to popular recipes and storage tips
• Does yomogi have side effects? Cautions for safe use
• How to Make Mugwort Mochi with Dried Mugwort
• Dried mugwort (product page)