Genmaicha Organic Green Tea Description:
A product of the Shizuoka prefecture of Japan, this is a traditional Japanese tea. Genmaicha Organic is made with larger leaves, bits of stem, and rice kernels to produce an infused liquor with a toasted, almost buttery, aroma and flavor.
Genmaicha, also known as Genmai Cha or Brown Rice Tea features roasted rice, some of which pops during the roasting process with the appearance of popcorn. This tea is widely consumed in Japan, having been developed with rice as a filler to cut the volume of tea which kept the price down and affordable to all. Genmaicha is one of many great Japanese tea varieties.
Ingredients:
Organic Japanese Green Tea, Organic Toasted Brown Rice
Genmaicha Green Tea Significance:
Also known as Popcorn Tea or Genmai Cha, genmaicha is a blend of genmai (brown rice) and green tea (cha). It can be produced with any number of green teas as a base though bancha and to some degree sencha being the most common.
There are several fun stories surrounding genmaicha although they are mainly fiction. The most colorful story suggests this tea was created during the 15th century by a Samurai and his servant. The story suggests that the servant was preparing tea for his master, and at the time tea was very expensive. As he poured the tea a few grains of rice fell from his sleeve as he poured the tea. So enraged was the Samurai that his tea would be ruined, that he drew his sword and cut the head off his servant then an there. Yet, instead of pouring out the tea, he sat back down to drink it and discovered that he actually very much enjoyed it. In honor of his servant, named Genmai, he named this tea Genmai Cha.
Another story suggests that long ago, housewives, eager to serve green tea in their households, yet finding it to be extremely expensive, began mixing cheap brown rice to a smaller amount of green tea, thus enabling common folk to enjoy tea the same as the noble classes.
The most likely story of genmaicha seems to be that sometime in the early 1900′s, an inspired tea merchant in Japan sought to stretch expensive green tea a bit further and added brown rice to it. The wonderful nutty flavor of genmaicha has been with us ever since, remaining popular and growing in popularity outside of Japan as well.
Our Genmaicha Organic Green Tea comes from a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) as recognized by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). The distinction is due, in large part, to the practice of Chagusaba or "tea grass fields" used in the production of this tea. The Chagusaba method uses native grasses of the Shizuoka Prefecture, cut and spread around tea bushes to reduce weeds and fertilize the plants. The method provides a sustainable method which also enhances the flavor of our Genmaicha Organic.
- Step 1:
- Add boiling water to mug and allow the water to cool to 170°-185° or simply wait 2-5 minutes.
- Step 2:
- Steep 1 round tsp or 3-4 grams of tea per 8 oz of water.
- Step 3:
- Steep for 3-5 minutes. Green teas often have substantially different character depending on the time and temperature used for steeping so experiment with water throughout the range. Try 2-3 steepings.
