Genmaicha Green Tea - A Comprehensive Guide

Genmaicha is one of the most unique teas in Japanese tea culture.

The presence of roasted rice, or “flower,” a white popcorn-like rice, is a distinctive characteristic of genmaicha.

The exquisite blend of fragrant roasted brown rice and green tea is loved by many for its rich flavor and relaxing effect, soothing the hearts of drinkers of all ages.

Here, we introduce the appeal of genmaicha, how to enjoy it, and its many variations.

We are sure you will find inspiration to further enrich your life with genmaicha.

Why not take a step into the world of genmaicha?

What is Genmaicha?

Genmaicha is a Japanese tea made by mixing roasted brown rice with sencha or bancha.

Genmai is unrefined rice from which the bran and germ have not been removed, and it is richer in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber than white rice.

However, roasted white rice or glutinous rice is often used to make what is called genmaicha, or brown rice tea.

Although it contains rice, genmaicha has little effect on calories and is just as healthy a drink as regular tea.

It has the light, easy-to-drink flavor of sencha and bancha, with the added savory taste of brown rice and roasted rice.

Genmaicha has traditionally been popular as the tea of the common people, but its popularity has recently increased, and there are now many variations, including premium products made with matcha and gyokuro.

Visual Appearance

Genmaicha has a distinctive appearance due to its unique blend.

Sencha or bancha tea leaves are used to make the tea, which can be deep or bright green in color.

Mixed with this green tea are small grains of roasted brown rice, which add contrast to the appearance.

Depending on the product, there may be small white popcorn-like pieces mixed in; these are bursts of rice and do not affect the flavor or aroma but serve only as a decorative element.

The color of genmaicha poured into a teacup is usually a pale yellowish green, but it may vary depending on the base tea used.

Taste

Genmaicha is a tea with an appealing savory aroma.

The rich flavor of sencha or bancha as the base, combined with the fragrance of roasted brown rice, creates a unique taste that cannot be found in any other tea.

The flavor changes depending on the ratio of tea to brown rice, so you can adjust the amount of each to suit your taste and enjoy your own original genmaicha.

The fragrant aroma of brown rice has a soothing effect on the mind and body.

This tea is perfect when you are tired or need to refresh yourself.

How is Genmaicha Different vs Matcha?

Genmaicha and matcha differ greatly in ingredients, production methods, taste, and the occasions in which they are consumed.

Genmaicha is a blend of sencha or bancha tea with roasted brown rice, characterized by its savory flavor and refreshing taste.

It is relatively low in caffeine, making it an ideal tea for relaxation.

Matcha, on the other hand, is made by grinding special tea leaves called tencha, which are grown in the shade, into a fine powder using a millstone. It has a creamy taste with a strong bitterness and a hint of sweetness.

Because matcha is consumed from the entire tea leaves, it is a good source of catechins, vitamin C, vitamin E, dietary fiber, and other nutrients in their entirety.

Matcha is often consumed on special occasions, such as in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, but it has also become widely popular in lattes and sweets.

Genmaicha is typically brewed with boiling water to enjoy its fragrant aroma, while matcha is generally served in a tea bowl and whisked with a tea whisk.

Understanding the appeal of each and using them for different occasions will help you enjoy Japanese tea even more.

Origin and Brief History of Genmaicha

There are various theories about the origin of genmaicha, but one suggests that it was invented by a tea merchant in Kyoto before World War II, who felt that the rice cake scraps from Kagamibiraki—the opening of the sake barrel—were going to waste.

In Japan, where it is said that “a grain of rice contains seven gods,” the spirit of respecting rice is deeply rooted. Genmaicha, born from this idea, has been loved as an inexpensive and accessible tea for the common people.

Even today, genmaicha is favored by people of all ages for its unique savory flavor and health benefits.

Recently, genmaicha made with high-quality teas such as matcha and gyokuro has appeared on the market and is becoming even more popular.

Sweets such as ice cream, gelato, cakes, and chocolates made with hojicha are also becoming increasingly popular.

Genmaicha has many charms despite its simplicity, and it continues to be loved by many people across generations.

How is Genmaicha Made?

Genmaicha is a blend of roasted rice with a base of green tea, such as sencha or bancha.

The rice used for genmaicha is typically unpolished brown rice, but roasted white rice or glutinous rice is often used as well.

Genmaicha can be easily and deliciously made at home.

First, brown rice or white rice is stir-fried in a frying pan or roaster.

When frying, heat the rice until it bursts open.

This process brings out the unique aroma of the rice.

Mix the roasted rice with green tea.

Generally, green tea and rice are blended in a 1:1 ratio, but the amount of rice can be adjusted according to taste.

The tea is delicious on its own, but adding a small amount of matcha (powdered green tea) enhances the sweetness and flavor while adding a bright appearance, resulting in a tea with an even deeper taste.

Creating your own original genmaicha by making adjustments is another way to enjoy this tea.

Health Benefits of Genmaicha

Brown rice tea, like green tea, contains catechins and vitamin C, both of which are powerful antioxidants.

Antioxidants neutralize active oxygen in the body, helping to reduce the risk of aging and various diseases.

In addition, the brown rice in brown rice tea contains a component called GABA, which promotes the burning of cholesterol and triglycerides and lowers blood pressure.

Due to the rice blend, genmaicha contains less caffeine than other green teas, making it suitable for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and others who wish to reduce their caffeine intake.

Types and Varieties of Genmaicha

Genmaicha is a blend of roasted brown rice or rice and green tea.

Generally, tea leaves and brown rice are blended in a 1:1 ratio, but there are many variations, including those made with premium gyokuro, blended with matcha, or combined with deep-steamed tea.

Genmaicha blended with black soybeans, which are highly nutritious and visually striking, is also popular.

To further enhance the enjoyment of genmaicha, it is often sold separately, allowing you to combine it with different teas at home to create original blends.

By varying the way the brown rice is roasted, you can experience a variety of flavors.

The taste of genmaicha is continually evolving, and we may see many new styles of genmaicha in the future.

How to Brew and Prepare Genmaicha

To bring out the aroma of genmaicha, it is important to brew it all at once using boiling water.

1. Start by warming the teapot and teacups. Pour boiling water into the teapot to warm it. Warm the teacups in the same way.
2. Next, put the tea leaves into the teapot. Be sure to balance the amount of brown rice and tea leaves.
3. Pour the boiling water into the teapot with the tea leaves all at once. Make sure to use boiling water, as lukewarm water will not release the aroma properly.
4. Brewing time After pouring the hot water, let it steep for about 30 seconds. Genmaicha can be enjoyed not only on the first brew, but also on the second and third. For the second and subsequent brews, make sure to extend the extraction time slightly.

Cold Brew Method

Genmaicha is a tea that can be enjoyed in a different way by drinking it cold.

Cold genmaicha retains its savory flavor, making it a refreshing drink perfect for the hot season.

Here are a few ways to enjoy genmaicha cold:

Brewing with boiling water and then cooling it rapidly

The first method is to brew genmaicha with boiling water and then cool it rapidly.

After brewing the tea with boiling water, pour it into a glass or teapot filled with ice.

With this method, the fragrant aroma of the brown rice is more pronounced, and you can enjoy a cool, refreshing drink.

The key is to cool it as quickly as possible to preserve the aroma.

Slow brewing with water

Another method is to brew genmaicha by mizudashi.

This method involves pouring water over the tea leaves and letting it brew slowly in the refrigerator overnight.

The long brewing process enhances the sweetness of the tea leaves along with the aroma of the brown rice, resulting in a mild and gentle flavor.

Genmaicha made by mizudashi has less astringency and is easy to drink, making it suitable for children as well.

Hot Brew Method

Genmaicha’s savory aroma and gentle flavor are enhanced when enjoyed warm.

It is the perfect tea for cold weather or when you want to relax.

When brewing hot genmaicha, the temperature of the water is important.

Brewing with water at approximately 70°C to 80°C (or 158°F to 176°F)  will bring out the aroma of the roasted brown rice to the fullest.

An extraction time of about 30 seconds to 1 minute is appropriate; do not let it steep too long.

Shorter brewing times will result in a cleaner, more refreshing flavor.

Genmaicha can be enjoyed not only during the first brew, but also during the second and third.

With warm genmaicha, the aroma and flavor of the green tea and brown rice are well-preserved, even in the second brewing.

Adding a little variation to warm genmaicha is also recommended.

For example, you can sweeten it with a bit of honey, or add milk to enjoy it as a genmaicha latte.

Pairing it with dessert is another great idea.

The combination of cold, sweet ice cream and warm genmaicha creates a perfect harmony.

Warm genmaicha is ideal for everyday relaxation.

With its savory aroma and gentle flavor, we hope you enjoy a cup that warms both your body and mind.

Outro

Genmaicha is a popular tea with a savory aroma and mild flavor. It can be enjoyed hot or cold and is perfect for any season or occasion.

By paying attention to the water temperature and brewing time, you can enhance the tea’s aroma and sweetness. Additionally, you can savor the evolving flavors by enjoying the second and third brews.

Genmaicha can be enjoyed in various ways, such as sweetened with honey, made into a genmaicha latte with milk, or paired with desserts.

In addition to sweet treats, genmaicha also pairs well with salty snacks like potato chips, as it refreshes the palate and enhances the flavors.

Exploring different ways to enjoy genmaicha will reveal new aspects of this delightful tea.

Why not take a moment of peace and relaxation and add a touch of color to your daily life with genmaicha?