Roasted Brown Rice Genmaicha Tea Leaves 玄米茶 100grams

玄米茶 (Genmaicha) is a traditional Japanese tea that is a blend of green tea (usually sencha or bancha) and roasted brown rice (Genmai). The combination of green tea and roasted rice gives genmaicha a distinctive nutty, toasty flavour that sets it apart from other types of green tea.

Key Features of Genmaicha:

Ingredients:

• Green Tea (Sencha or Bancha): The base of genmaicha is typically sencha, a common Japanese green tea known for its fresh, grassy flavour. However, bancha, which is made from older, more mature tea leaves, is also often used. Bancha has a milder taste compared to sencha.
• Roasted Brown Rice (Genmai): The addition of roasted brown rice gives the tea its signature nutty and toasted flavour. Some of the rice may pop during roasting, giving the tea the nickname "popcorn tea."

Flavour:

• Genmaicha has a mild, toasty flavour with a slightly nutty and sweet aroma. The roasted rice adds warmth and depth to the tea, complementing the grassy, vegetal notes of the green tea. The rice helps balance out the sometimes bitter or astringent notes of green tea, making genmaicha a smooth, easy-to-drink option.
• Because of its mild and comforting flavour, genmaicha is often described as a "warm" and "comforting" tea.

Caffeine Content:

• Genmaicha has less caffeine than other green teas like sencha or gyokuro because the addition of roasted rice dilutes the amount of tea leaves used. This makes it a popular choice for people who want a lighter tea with a lower caffeine level, especially in the afternoon or evening.

Health Benefits:

• Genmaicha retains many of the health benefits of green tea, including its rich content of antioxidants (such as catechins) that help fight free radicals, support heart health, and promote overall well-being.
• The brown rice adds a small amount of fibre and carbohydrates, although the rice primarily contributes flavour rather than significant nutritional value.
• Like other green teas, genmaicha may aid in digestion, support weight loss, and help with relaxation due to the presence of the amino acid L-theanine, which promotes a calming effect.

Storage

To ensure the best storage for your tea, it's recommended to use a tea can or an airtight container. This will help protect the tea from high temperatures and humidity, and prevent it from absorbing other odours. By using a tea can, you can preserve the tea’s freshness and flavour for a longer period.

Serving Suggestions

Hot Version:

1. Boil Water:

   • Heat water to about 80-85°C (175-185°F). Avoid boiling water, as it can make the tea taste bitter. If the water reaches boiling, let it cool slightly before pouring over the tea leaves.

2. Measure Tea Leaves:

   • Use about 4-5 teaspoons (5-6 grams) of genmaicha tea leaves per cup (150-200 ml or 5-6 oz) of water.

3. Steep the Tea:

   • Place the genmaicha tea leaves into a teapot or teacup.
   • Pour the hot water over the leaves and let the tea steep for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Steeping for too long may bring out bitterness, so keep it short for a smooth taste.

4. Serve:

   • Strain the tea into a cup if using a teapot or remove the infuser if you’re brewing in a cup.
   • Enjoy the warm, nutty, and toasty flavor of the genmaicha immediately.

Cold Version (Cold Brew Genmaicha):

1. Use Cold or Room Temperature Water:

   • Place 4-5 tablespoons of genmaicha tea leaves into a pitcher or bottle.
   • Add 500 ml (17 oz) of cold or room temperature water.

2. Let It Steep:

   • Put the pitcher in the refrigerator and let the tea steep for 4-6 hours, or overnight for a stronger flavor.

3. Strain the Tea:

   • After steeping, strain the tea leaves from the liquid.

4. Serve:

   • Pour the cold genmaicha into a glass. You can add ice for extra chill, or enjoy it straight from the fridge.