Genmaicha: A Popular Japanese Tea with Toasted Brown Rice

What is Genmaicha (玄米茶)

Genmaicha translates to brown rice tea (Genmai = brown rice, and cha = tea), and the word is derived from Japanese. It is a mix of Sencha leaves and roasted brown rice. Japanese also referred to this green tea as popcorn tea due to the popping sound during roasting and the fact that popped rice looks like popcorn. Adding roasted brown rice gives green tea a healthy quality and makes the taste unique. Many people around Japan love this green tea due to its sweet, nutty flavor and pleasant aroma.

HISTORY AND LEGEND OF GENMAICHA

Like potato chips, Genmaicha has an accidental legend. The most popular one is a servant pouring green tea for his master while accidentally dropping some rice into his master’s cup.

Genmaicha was also called people’s tea because the brown rice was used as a filler to reduce tea prices. In the early days (Medieval Japan), tea was a luxury reserved only for the elite which is why Genmaicha was made. Due to lower prices, it was accessible to everyone. For a traditional and cheaper option, it is often made with bancha leaves, which costs less than the Sencha.

Genmaicha has a warm, nutty, and refreshing taste with some sweetness. Because of that, Genmaicha is no longer only for poor people; everyone, even in the upper class, enjoys it, and later on, it was available to a broader range of people worldwide.

VARIETY / TYPES OF GENMAICHA

Traditionally, it is made with bancha, but nowadays, the market offers plenty of variety. The most common is Sencha Genmaicha, which is made by adding Sencha leaves. The leaves are picked young and early, resulting in a sweet taste.

When mixed with Matcha, Genmaicha is known as Matcha-iri Genmaicha, which translates to Genmaicha with added powdered tea. Matcha comes from young tea leaves pounded and ground into a fine powder. It tastes similar to Genmaicha but often has a slightly stronger flavor and a more greenish color when brewed. Matcha-iri has a higher caffeine content than Genmaicha, although it is fine as many matcha lovers want to try this tea combination before drinking Genmaicha.

Hoji Genmaicha – Genmaicha mixed with Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea). It is reddish-brown. Hojicha and the roasted rice in Genmaicha result in a smoky and nutty quality. Both green teas are low in caffeine and can be served to children.

Gyokuro Genmaicha—For a sweeter Genmaicha, it is mixed with Gyokuro, whose tea leaves are shaded from the sun, under a net, and harvested only after three weeks. These young tea leaves are rich in chlorophyll, and the overall Genmaicha has a slightly sweet, fresh, and grassy flavor with umami.

PREPARATION

Brown rice is sometimes referred to as rice with a hard covering on the top, but in Genmaicha, white rice is roasted to the point it turns dark brown. Original brown rice is not fragrant when roasted and looks much darker. Their husk is removed, and white rice is used for roasting.

These rice are roasted until they turn dark, and some rice pops like popcorn, which is uncommon with modern machinery as it controls the temperature and adds a much better look. Roasted rice is known as Genmai and is then mixed with green tea leaves of different varieties. The most common proportion level is 1:1, but it varies from vendor to vendor.

In a traditional method, mochi rice is used in Genmaicha and is considered the highest quality tea due to mochi rice. Genmaicha is also made with Japanese rice, called uruchimai, and sometimes, it is mixed with both rice types. You have to follow some steps to make the best-roasted rice with simple and most common methods at home.

First, rice is soaked for some time to make it soft and easy to steam. Then the rice is steamed and dried. Drying is usually done by using hot air. Once dried, rice is roasted to the dark brown stage and the rice pops like popcorn. It is later cooled and mixed with processed and stored green tea leaves.

BREWING

Genmaicha is labeled as low-grade tea just like Bancha and Hojicha and needs high-temperature water to brew, unlike Gyokuro, which is high grade and brewed in lower temperatures. Bancha Genmaicha requires 85-90 degrees water, and Sencha Genmaicha needs 80-85 degrees to brew correctly. Follow these steps to make Genmaicha tea at home:

Use three or four grams of Genmaicha for each cup.

Add Genmaicha to Kyusu and then add 50ml boiling water for every two grams of Genmaicha.

Let it steep for around more than a minute.

Pour the tea into small cups and enjoy.

For a second infusion, brew it for 2 minutes with 90 – degree water.

The brewed tea has a grassy and nutty aroma, yellowish color and sweet taste.

Some people do not use the tea strainer and eat the rice in Genmaicha after or while drinking the tea.

STORING GENMAICHA

Once opened, store Genmaicha in an airtight container away from sunlight or warm temperatures. It might be best to keep the container in the cupboard. This way of storage can allow the tea to last up to six weeks.

Drinking this tea within the day is still the best to retain its freshness, but sometimes, we cannot avoid having to do something and set aside the tea in our fridge. You can drink it the next day whenever that happens, as genmaicha still tastes nutty and good.

HEALTH BENEIFITS OF GENMAICHA

Genmaicha is often used by people who frequently fast for religious reasons. They have long intervals between their meals and need a warming beverage for their stomachs. The sugar and starch in Genmaicha tea have a warm and nutty taste and is considered the best tea for making your stomach feel better.

Brown rice is added to green tea leaves for various reasons—it milds the astringent taste of tea leaves and caffeine levels. Due to lower caffeine and higher nutrient levels, many prefer it over other varieties. Brown rice has a calming effect on your body, mood, and stomach. It has a low glycemic index that is safe for women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), as well as people with diabetes and celiac disease.

Antioxidants present in green tea levels fight oxidants in your bloodstream and protect your body from harmful radicals. Add Genmaicha to your healthy diet and take benefits from its nutrients.

The catechin, polyphenol, and EGCG in tea leaves benefit your body in many ways, such as preventing cell destruction and oxidation.

Many people believe that green tea can ruin your teeth and oral health. In contrast, Japanese green tea, including Genmaicha, kills bacteria that cause stinky, bad breath and tooth decay.

Green tea prevents many cardiovascular diseases and keeps your heart healthy. People who are continuously stressed and anxious are more likely to develop irregular heartbeats and other conditions. Green tea helps calm the nerves, and blood vessels also stop clotting in veins to ease the blood flow. Moreover, benefits the skin by reducing wrinkles and keepings skin hydrated.

Genmaicha’s antioxidants, or EGCG, help to reduce the risks of many types of cancer, such as ovarian and pancreatic cancer. This tea also helps to reduce cholesterol and blood clots, leading to a reduced risk of heart disease. In conclusion, Genmaicha is healthy and, generally, has no side effects if you drink it in moderation.

Genmaicha is less acidic and has low caffeine content, making it safe for people with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

CAFFEINE CONTENT

Brewed green tea generally has 20-30 mg of caffeine in an 8 oz. cup, and Genmaicha has 6.5-12 mg. of caffeine, depending on brewing time. It has a low caffeine content and is safe to consume a few hours before you sleep.

DRINKING GENMAICHA EVERY DAY

Due to its low caffeine content, you can drink Genmaicha daily for up to eight cups. However, it depends on how your body handles caffeine. Just drink moderately to avoid side effects.

Genmaicha’s common side effects, if drank more or effects to some people, are digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and sleeping problems for caffeine-sensitive people. However, this tea has only tiny amounts of caffeine.

Like other teas, Genmaicha prevents iron absorption if consumed simultaneously with meals because of the tannins in green tea. Add lemon or orange to avoid this, as Vitamin C promotes iron absorption.

Drink Genmaicha at least 1 hour before or after a meal.

DELICIOUS FOODS TO PAIR WITH GENMAICHA

Light snacks such as rice crackers (osenbei), wagashi, Japanese chocolate ganache like Royce, sushi, and sashimi are best to pair with Genmaicha. Ultimately, it will be up to you to discover what food you like most when drinking Genmaicha.

RECIPES USING GENMAICHA

Fabulous matcha latte

The matcha latte is delicious, and Genmaicha can make it even more delightful. You can mix Genmaicha with matcha or buy a Matcha-iri Genmaicha.

Brew the tea according to the standard brewing process. Meanwhile, heat hot or warm milk in a microwave or pan, but do not boil it. After that, froth the milk using a handheld frother. Set aside.

Pour the tea and sweetener of your choice into a cup. Then, pour the frothed milk. You can sprinkle matcha powder or toasted rice on top of your latte.

Genmaicha Milk Tea

Add Genmaicha tea leaves, sweetener, and your favorite or non-dairy milk to a saucepan. Heat on a low flame and stir, but do not boil it. Strain the leaves or pour the tea on the filter. The milk tea is now ready to drink, hot or cold.

Genmaicha tea can also be mixed when making chocolate ice cream and bars since the nuts and the fresh taste will complement these desserts well.

Cold Brewed Genmaicha

Brew Genmaicha tea leaves as usual, except you will use iced-cold water for 2 to 3 hours. After that, you can serve it in a glass and may add a sweetener as well.

WHICH IS BETTER? HOJICHA OR GENMAICHA?

Both Japanese green tea types are great healthy drinks, have low caffeine content, and are affordable. Hojicha has a robust, delicious taste but a hint of thick sweetness, while Genmaicha tastes grassy and has a roasted rice or nut flavor. Because of the roasted rice, Genmaicha has a slightly less caffeine effect and a green vegetable feel. Both are good, but it is easier to choose if you want a particular tea. In addition, Sencha has a grassy and sweeter taste than Genmaicha, but it is a more expensive type of green tea than Genmaicha and Hojicha. Gyokuro is the most expensive and rare type of Japanese green tea. Genmaicha is healthy and practical to consume, as you can get the health benefits and excellent taste without sacrificing your budget. Good as your daily drink.