Health Benefits of Corn Tassel Tea (Daily Healthy Guide)

Corn for tea, or beverages perhaps sound very weird for us Indonesians. This is because in our culture, corn is predominantly used as a cooking ingredient. However in other cultures, such as Korean culture the opposite is true instead! Corn tea is indeed a common yet popular Korean beverage.

Interestingly, health benefits of corn cereal tea isn’t actually a “tea” after all; in fact, it is basically “boiled corn water!” The corns are roasted and charred slowly until they are dark in colour, and then boiled in water until it produces a nutty flavour. Anyway, these are more interesting things about corn tea, and also the health benefits of corn tassel tea! 

An Introduction to Corn Tassel Tea 

In reality, there are two main versions to corn tassel tea; health benefits of yellow corn grits tea (oksusu-cha) and corn silk tea (oksusu-suyeom cha). Corn tea can be made from corn kernels, or with added corn silk. While then, corn silk tea is made entirely from corn silk.

It is caffeine-free, and also popular as a winter beverage. Along with barley tea (bori-cha), corn tea is one grain-based tea that are served complimentary in Korean restaurants along with water. In Gangwon Province of South Korea, corn tea is referred to as “gangnaengi-cha”, which is consumed from the start of autumn through winter at most households. 

Nutritional Facts of Corn  

• Serving Size – 1 cup (166 g)
• Water – 17.2 g
• Calories – 606 kcal (30% of DV)
• Total Fat – 7.9 g (12% of DV)
• Saturated Fat – 1.1 g (6% of DV)

• Polyunsaturated Fat – 2.1 g
• Monounsaturated Fat – 3.6 g
• Trans Fat – 0 g (0% of DV)
• Cholesterol – 0 g (0% of DV)
• Sodium – 9 mg (0% of DV)

• Total Carbohydrates – 123 g (41% of DV)
• Sugar – 1.1 g
• Dietary Fibre – 12.1 g (48% of DV)
• Protein – 15.6 g (31% of DV)
• Vitamins and Minerals

• Vitamin A – 355 IU (7% of DV)
• Vitamin B6 – 1 mg (52% of DV)
• Vitamin B12 – 0 mcg (0% of DV)
• Vitamin C – 0 mg (0% of DV)
• Vitamin D – 0 mg (0% of DV)

• Vitamin E – 0.8 mg (4% of DV)
• Vitamin K – 0.5 mcg (1% of DV)
• Calcium – 11.6 mg (1% of DV)
• Iron – 4.5 mg (25% of DV)
• Magnesium – 23 mg (5% of DV)

• Manganese – 0.8 mg (40% of DV)
• Phosphorus – 349 mg (45% of DV)
• Potassium – 476 mg (14% of DV)
• Selenium – 25.7 mcg (37% of DV)
• Sodium – 58.1 mg (2% of DV)

• Zinc – 3.7 mg (24% of DV)

All the information above are in relation to a 2,000-calorie diet. The percentage of daily value (% of DV) may differ depending on personal calorie needs.  

What are its Health Benefits? 

1. Corn Tassel Tea Provides Vitamin C 

Corn tassel tea also has vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps the damage of free radicals while supporting immunity and optimal functions of the whole organ system.  

 2. Corn Tassel Tea Stabilizes Blood Pressure  

Second, lower blood pressure can be achieved with health benefits of black Aztec corn tassel tea consumption because corn naturally increases insulin levels in the body. As a result, diabetes, high cholesterol and the like could be guarded against.   

 3. Corn Tassel Tea Reduces Gout  

Gout pain can be prevented by drinking 3 cups of corn tassel tea every single day, and reduce it to 1 cup per day once the pain starts to fade away.  

 4. Corn Tassel Tea Avoids Bed-wetting  

It also turns out that some adults still suffer from bedwetting too! Corn tassel tea can alleviate this matter by drinking 1 cup of it every time before one goes to bed.  

 5. Corn Tassel Tea Helps to Deal with Kidney Problems 

It also turns out that corn tassel tea is also one of the simplest remedies around for treating kidney problems! With corn tassel tea, urinary tract infection, bladder infection, gallstones, kidney stones, and urinary system inflammation can be anticipated easily! 

 6. Corn Tassel Tea Boosts Digestion 

Research has shown that health benefits of corn tassel tea stimulates bile secretion through the liver, which makes it especially good for digestion and treating digestive problems. The bile is then stored inside gallbladder, for proper digestion of food.  

 7. Corn Tassel Tea Manages Bleeding 

There are adequate vitamin K reserves inside corn tassel tea, reaching 0.5 mcg or 1% of the recommended value. It is useful for controlling bleeding, particularly for women that are giving birth.    

8. Corn Tassel Tea is Diuretic 

Corn tea is good for the kidney and therefore effective in boosting the amount of urinal excretion. Urine increase is possible with the help of corn tassel tea because of its toxin-removing properties.  

 9. Corn Tassel Tea is Extremely Rich in Nutrients 

Corn tassel tea is extremely rich in nutritional content, seen from the nutritional facts above, in which several of the nutrients make up of 40% of the recommended daily value!  

 10. Corn Tassel Tea Treats Rashes and Boils 

Finally, here is one topical utilization of benefits of baby corn for our health tassel tea. Corn tassel tea can treat rash and boils, and also itching caused by insect bites, thanks to its antibacterial and antiseptic talents. 

How to Prepare Korean Corn Tassel Tea 

Ingredients 

• ¾ cup of dried corn kernels
• 6 cups of water

• Sugar (optional)

Steps 

1. Roast the corn kernels on a pan at medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Move them around until they turn dark in colour.
2. When not used, the same corn kernels can also be stored in air-tight containers for later usage.
3. Transfer the roasted corn kernels into a pot and pour 6 cups of water into it. Boil it, and simmer it for the next 20 minutes.
4. You can already start tasting the tea at this stage. If the tea is too strong, then more water can be poured. But if the tea is still too light in terms of flavour, add more corn.
5. Finally, strain the corn kernels, and corn tassel tea is now ready to be served hot! Alternatively, you can also refrigerate it to drink it cold or leave it until reaches room temperature before drinking.