Yuja Tea: Korea’s Bright and Comforting Citrus Drink You’ll Want All Year

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A glass mug with light yellow citron tea and a jar of preserved Korean citron marmalade (Yuja-cha).
Yuja Tea (photo by easyn)

 If you’ve ever walked into a Korean café or opened a Korean family refrigerator in winter, there’s a good chance you’ve seen a large jar filled with golden slices of citrus fruit swimming in honey or sugar syrup. That beautiful, sunshine-colored mixture is the base of Yuja Tea—also known as yujacha or Korean citron tea.

For many Koreans, yuja tea is more than a drink. It is comfort, tradition, and seasonal care all in one cup. It warms cold hands in winter, soothes sore throats, brings families together, and fills homes with a gentle citrus aroma. Even today, when espresso culture is booming in Korea, yuja tea remains one of the most beloved traditional beverages.

Whether you are completely new to Korean cuisine or already exploring Korean food culture, this guide will help you understand what makes yuja tea special—and why so many Koreans consider it a must-have in their kitchen.

What Is Yuja Tea?

Yuja tea is a traditional Korean drink made by mixing hot water with honey-preserved yuja, a citrus fruit that looks similar to a small grapefruit or a bumpy lemon. The result is a sweet, slightly tart, fragrant tea that feels both refreshing and soothing.

Although people often call it “citron tea,” yuja (also spelled yuzu in Japanese contexts) has a unique flavor of its own. It tastes:

  • bright and citrusy

  • floral and aromatic

  • slightly bitter from the peel

  • sweet and comforting

Because yuja fruit is very fragrant and has more essential oils in the peel than common lemons, the aroma is intense and pleasantly complex. This makes yuja tea especially satisfying on cold days.

Why Koreans Love Yuja Tea

Korean people often associate yuja tea with:

  • wintertime

  • home remedies for colds

  • cozy family gatherings

  • comfort and warmth

Many Koreans grow up drinking yuja tea when they have a sore throat or feel tired. A parent or grandparent will prepare a steaming mug and say, “Drink this, it will help.” Over time, the drink becomes emotionally linked with care and healing.

But yuja tea is not only for health—it is also enjoyable simply for its taste. It strikes a perfect balance between sweet, tart, and aromatic.

How Yuja Tea Is Made

Traditional yujacha is not brewed like tea leaves. Instead, it is made using a type of Korean preserve called “yulmul jeonggwa”—fruit mixed with honey or sugar and allowed to mature.

The process usually involves:

  1. Washing and thinly slicing fresh yuja fruit

  2. Removing seeds

  3. Mixing the slices with honey or sugar

  4. Storing the mixture in a jar for several days or weeks

Over time, the fruit releases its juices, creating a syrup filled with citrus flavor and essential oils. When ready, a spoonful is added to hot or cold water to make tea.

This preserving method allowed families to enjoy citrus flavor during winter, long before modern refrigeration or imported fruit became available year-round.

Flavor Profile: What Does Yuja Tea Taste Like?

If you are trying Korean cuisine for the first time, you may wonder what to expect from this drink.

Yuja tea tastes:

  • sweet like honey

  • citrusy like lemon

  • slightly floral like orange blossoms

  • gently bitter like marmalade

The peel gives depth and complexity, making the drink more interesting than simple lemon tea. When served hot, it feels soothing and comforting. When served iced, it becomes a refreshing summer beverage.

Yuja Tea in Korean Culture

Yuja tea holds a special place in Korean tea culture. Unlike traditional leaf tea, which was historically enjoyed by monks and scholars, yujacha was a household drink—simple, accessible, and practical.

A Winter Tradition

Every winter, stores in Korea begin selling large jars of honey-preserved yuja. Many families buy one to keep on hand throughout the season.

It is common to serve yuja tea:

  • after a meal

  • when guests visit

  • before bedtime

  • when someone feels unwell

Hospitality

Offering yuja tea to guests is a gesture of warmth and care. It shows thoughtfulness, especially during cold weather.

Health and Wellness Perception

While not a medicine, yuja tea is widely believed in Korea to:

  • soothe sore throats

  • warm the body

  • provide comfort when sick

  • lift the mood with its aroma

Because yuja contains natural oils and vitamin-rich peel, Koreans often turn to it as a gentle home remedy. The honey or syrup adds energy and coats the throat, making it feel calming.

International readers discovering Korean food culture often find this combination of flavor and emotional meaning especially interesting.

How to Enjoy Yuja Tea

The beauty of yujacha is its simplicity. To make a cup:

  1. Add 1–2 teaspoons of preserved yuja mixture to a mug

  2. Pour hot water over it

  3. Stir and enjoy

You can adjust sweetness and strength to your taste.

Other Ways to Use It

Yuja syrup is incredibly versatile. Koreans also use it to:

  • flavor sparkling water

  • spread on toast like marmalade

  • mix into yogurt

  • make cocktails

  • bake pastries

Because the fruit peel remains in the mixture, you get both texture and aroma.

Modern Yuja Tea Trends

Younger generations in Korea have rediscovered yuja tea through cafés and fusion menus. Popular modern variations include:

  • yuja ade (sparkling yuja drink)

  • iced yuja tea with mint

  • yuja honey latte

  • yuja cocktails

  • yuja salad dressing

These creative uses help bridge tradition and contemporary tastes.

Additionally, many Korean cafés now promote yujacha as a caffeine-free alternative for customers who want something warm and soothing without coffee or tea leaves.

Why Yuja Tea Stands Out Internationally

Compared to other global citrus drinks, yuja tea is unique because:

  • it uses whole fruit, including peel

  • it is preserved rather than freshly squeezed

  • it has a floral aroma not found in lemons

  • it carries cultural meaning beyond refreshment

For international readers exploring Korean cuisine, yuja tea is a perfect starting point: easy to understand, delicious, and deeply connected to Korean life.

Conclusion: A Cup Full of Sunshine and Comfort

Yuja tea captures everything warm and welcoming about Korean food culture. It is simple to prepare, filled with bright citrus flavor, and associated with care and comfort across generations.

Whether you drink it hot on a snowy day or enjoy it cold in summer, yuja tea offers a taste of Korean tradition in every sip. If you are beginning your journey into Korean cuisine, this cheerful, golden drink is an excellent place to start.

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