$36.00
Between Harvest and Hearth,
a Cup of Stillness
Genmaicha is a Japanese green tea blended with roasted brown rice, celebrated for its warm, toasty aroma and mellow, slightly sweet flavor. The name literally means “brown-rice tea,” a nod to the simple ingredients that define it.
What began as a way for common households to stretch expensive tea leaves has evolved into a beloved specialty with a balanced profile that pairs the vegetal freshness of sencha with the comforting scent of popcorn-like grains.
What began as a way for common households to stretch expensive tea leaves has evolved into a beloved specialty with a balanced profile that pairs the vegetal freshness of sencha with the comforting scent of popcorn-like grains.
Origin
Shizuoka and Uji (Kyoto)
The roots of Genmaicha reach back to early
20th-century Japan, when frugal tea
merchants began blending sencha with
roasted rice to create an affordable daily
beverage. Over time, the practice spread
across major tea-growing regions, especially
Shizuoka and Uji (Kyoto), where rich volcanic
soils and temperate climates give the green
tea base its clean, grassy character.
Preparation Guide
Shizuoka and Uji (Kyoto)
To brew Genmaicha, start with water cooled to around 80 °C (175 °F). Use roughly one
teaspoon of tea per five ounces of water, and steep for one to two minutes. This
moderate temperature preserves the tea’s gentle sweetness and keeps any bitterness at
bay. After steeping, strain immediately to prevent over-extraction.
energy level
Low
Because roasted rice makes up a significant portion of the blend, Genmaicha
generally contains less caffeine than standard sencha—typically around 10–20 mg per
8 oz cup. That’s roughly one-third of the caffeine in a similar serving of coffee,
making it a gentle option for people sensitive to stimulants.
Common Cultivars
Yabukita and Okumidori.
Elevation
Typically 100–400 m in coastal or foothill gardens.
Harvest Season
First flush (ichibancha) in late April to May; some blends use later flushes for a rounder profile.
Health Benefits*
Genmaicha provides the antioxidant benefits of green tea—catechins and polyphenols—while offering a naturally lower caffeine content thanks to the rice. These antioxidants are linked in research to reduced oxidative stress and gentle metabolic support, though it’s best understood as part of a balanced diet rather than a medical remedy.
- Antioxidants (catechins) that may help reduce oxidative stress.
- Mild caffeine content offers gentle alertness without jitters.
- Brown rice adds trace minerals and a soothing roasted flavor.
you might also like
