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A clear glass mug filled with hot honey citron tea and floating lemon slices, with steam rising.

Homemade Honey Citron Tea (Korean Yuja-Cha)

Cortney Sparkman
Skip the jar! Learn how to make authentic-style Korean Honey Citron Tea (Yuja Cha) using Meyer lemons. Soothing, caffeine-free, and perfect for cold season.
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Servings 16 servings
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Equipment

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Ingredients
  

  • 3 Meyer lemons
  • ¼ cup organic local honey
  • ¼ cup sugar
Cook Mode

Instructions
 

  • Prep the Fruit. Scrub your lemons thoroughly. Slice them lengthwise and remove the seeds. Then, slice them into paper-thin half-moons. Tip: The thinner the slice, the better the tea will steep!
    A yellow Meyer lemon sliced into very thin half-moon shapes on a wooden cutting board.
  • Create the Base. In a clean bowl, toss the lemon slices with the honey and sugar. Stir gently until the lemons are well-coated.
    Sliced lemons being tossed in a clear glass bowl with honey and sugar, looking glossy and syrupy.
  • Jar and Wait. Transfer the mixture into a sterilized glass jar. Seal it tight and let it sit on the counter for 24 hours. This allows the sugar to draw out the moisture, creating a syrup. After that, move it to the fridge.
    A glass jar filled with homemade honey citron tea marmalade with a spoon lifting out glistening lemon slices.
  • Serve it Hot or Cold. Hot: Stir 2 tablespoons of the base into 6 oz of hot water. Cold: Stir 2 tablespoons into cold sparkling water for a "Citron Fizz."
    A clear glass mug filled with hot honey citron tea and floating lemon slices, with steam rising.

Notes

  • The Texture Truth: Store-bought Citron Tea often has a "jelly-like" texture because manufacturers add thickeners like pectin or carrageenan. This homemade version is natural, so it will be more syrupy and liquid. This is normal!
  • Eat the Rind: Don't throw away the lemon slices at the bottom of your mug! They are candied by the honey and are full of fiber and Vitamin C.
  • Sterilize Your Jars: Since this sits in the fridge for a month, make sure your jar is boiled or run through the dishwasher first to prevent spoilage.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tbsp.Calories: 28kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 0.02gFat: 0.01gSodium: 0.2mgPotassium: 3mgFiber: 0.02gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 0.04IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 0.4mgIron: 0.03mg
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