Sweet and Refreshing Homemade Sikhye (Korean Rice Drink) with a Kit
How to Make Delicious Sikhye Easily at Home Using a Kit’s Sikhye Tea Bags
This recipe utilizes a convenient Sikhye kit tea bag, making it incredibly simple to prepare a delicious traditional Korean rice drink that usually requires significant time and effort. With just rice, water, and the magical Sikhye tea bags, you can enjoy a sweet and refreshing Sikhye at home that rivals those from specialty stores. Beat the heat with a clear, delightful Sikhye dotted with plump rice grains!
Ingredients- Sikhye tea bags, 3 pieces
- 2 bowls of freshly cooked rice (approx. 2 servings)
- 3 liters of water
- 1 cup of sugar (approx. 200g, adjust to taste)
- Ginger, thinly sliced (a small amount)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Pour 3 liters of water into the inner pot of a clean electric rice cooker. This generous amount is the foundation for your Sikhye.
Step 2
Add 2 bowls of freshly cooked, warm rice on top of the water. Gently break up the rice clumps if possible for a more even fermentation.
Step 3
Carefully place the 3 Sikhye tea bags onto the rice. The beneficial enzymes in the tea bags will work to convert the starch from the rice into sugars.
Step 4
Using a spatula or spoon, gently spread the rice to create a thin layer, ensuring it mixes somewhat with the water. This helps the rice grains submerge and come into contact with the tea bags.
Step 5
Select the ‘Keep Warm’ setting on your electric rice cooker and wait for approximately 4 hours. During this time, the rice will ferment, and the sweet flavor of Sikhye will begin to develop.
Step 6
After 4 hours, check if about 20 rice grains are floating to the surface. This indicates that the Sikhye has fermented properly. Plump, distinct rice grains are a sign of delicious Sikhye.
Step 7
Now, carefully strain the clear Sikhye liquid, which has the rice grains floating in it, using a sieve. Gently remove the Sikhye tea bags. Once the tea bags are removed, the fermentation process stops.
Step 8
Pour all the strained Sikhye liquid into a pot. It’s now time to cook it to complete the Sikhye.
Step 9
Add the thinly sliced ginger to the pot. Ginger helps to remove any potential ‘off’ smells and adds a subtle aroma to the Sikhye. Adjust the amount according to your preference.
Step 10
Add 1 cup of sugar and stir well until dissolved. You can adjust the amount of sugar based on how sweet you like your drinks. It’s recommended to taste and add more sugar later if needed, rather than adding too much initially.
Step 11
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, skim off any foam that rises to the surface. Simmer for about 10 minutes to remove impurities and achieve a clean flavor.
Step 12
Let the finished Sikhye cool slightly, then chill it in the refrigerator before serving for the best taste. Enjoy your homemade, clear, and sweet traditional Sikhye with its signature floating rice grains!
