Genmaicha Green Tea

Description

Genmaicha Green Tea

Genmai means Brown Rice and Cha is the Japanese word for tea. So Genmaicha means Brown Rice Tea. Genmaicha Green Tea is one of the world’s most unique teas. Just the roasted aroma will tell you it’s not your standard green tea.

The tea is usually made using Japanese Sencha or Bancha grade teas – ours is a steamed Sencha – and is blended with roasted rice kernels making the tea look as though it has been mixed with popcorn. The flavor of Genmaicha is light, with mild nutty overtones. The tea should be brewed at a slightly higher temperature than most green teas in order to bring out this wonderfully mild flavor. Genmaicha is an excellent palate cleanser and is perfect for drinking with Asian-themed meals. This quality has made it one of the most popular teas in Japan, the country where it originated. We buy ours directly from several families in Japan, who have grown and processed their teas for over 150 years. All our Japanese families have legendary legacies. In addition, they are grown organically, without pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

Throughout the tea trade legends abound as to how the combination of tea and roasted rice was discovered. The most popular of these centers around the household of a Samurai warlord in the 15th century. After arriving home from battle, the Samurai called for his manservant Genmai to bring him some freshly brewed tea in order that he might refresh himself. Genmai quickly dropped what he was doing, which was taking stock of the house rice supply. In his haste Genmai failed to realize that some rice had found its way into the folds of the sleeves of his robe. As he rushed to prepare the tea, some grains of the rice fell into the tea pot. His Master, filled with anger after a fierce battle, yelled again for his tea. Genmai had no choice but to bring him the pot that had the rice in it.

Unfortunately for poor Genmai his Master became furious when he discovered that he was not being served pure tea. Moments later, the Master killed poor Genmai. The Samurai decided he would drink the tea anyway. Much to his surprise, the tea Genmai had prepared was the most delicious beverage he had ever had. The Samurai dropped to his knees to repent for the killing of his servant and decided that henceforth he would call this new tea Genmaicha, -cha being the Japanese word for tea, in honor of his servant. Fact? Fiction? Brew yourself or your customers a pot of this wonderful tea and let us know what you decide!

We carry a number of other Japanese Teas, which we import directly from a family tea plantation in the Shizuoka Prefecture of Japan.  They include our Matcha Tea, Bancha, Fukamushi Sencha, Gyokuro, Kukicha Twig Tea, Houjicha and Matcha Genmaicha.

Steeping Instructions
Hot tea brewing method: Put 1 slightly heaping tsp of loose tea for each 8oz of water in the cup or teapot. Pour the boiled but slightly cooled water over tea. Steep 3 to 7 minutes. Milk and Sugar are not recommended. Makes a wonderful Iced Tea as well.

Iced Tea: For a Liter or quart use 2 heaping Tbsp. of loose tea into teapot. Pour 1 1/4 cup boiling water on tea. Steep 5 minutes. Quarter fill serving pitcher straining tea. Add Ice. Top up with cold water, garnish & sweeten to taste.

Contains: Green tea & Roasted Rice