Genmaicha is a unique type of tea originated from Japan. It is also called the “brown rice tea”, which essential explained how genmaicha tea is made. It is made of green tea and roasted popped brown rice. Some may even call it popcorn tea because the grains might pop in the roasting process like popcorn. Different from the noble origins of matcha tea and sencha tea, genmaicha tea came from the lower class in ancient Japanese society. Here are some facts you might want to know about genmaicha tea.
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What is genmaicha tea?
Genmaicha tea, or the brown rice tea, is made from green tea and roasted rice. Usually, white mochi rice is used to create genmaicha tea. The roasting process would add a lovely roasted aroma to the tea, making it even more appealing. Traditional genmaicha tea would be made with bancha, another type of Japanese tea.
However, nowadays, people discovered more ways to enjoy genmaicha tea, including combining it with other Japanese teas like sencha, houjicha, gyokuro and matcha, making this traditional beverage more diverse. Brewed genmaicha tea usually have a light yellow color with a mild flavor.
Beside the usual grassy aroma of green tea, it also has the amazing aroma of roasted rice, which is rare among teas. In ancient Japan, only the less privileged would drink genmaicha tea because the rice can help to fill their tummies with a lower price since tea leaves were a luxurious product back then. It was also used during fasting or religious purpose when people have to abstain from eating for a period of time.
Genmaicha tea health benefits
Genmaicha tea, like its fellow tea counterparts, have a lot of amazing benefits. The rich amount of catechins in genmaicha tea possess a lot of marvellous benefits, including fighting cancer-causing cells. It is scientifically proven that catechins can effectively prevent skin, liver, esophagus, ovarian, prostate, stomach, breast and lung cancer.
Also, the vast amount of antioxidants in genmaicha tea can help to boost your immune system and detoxify your body. Drinking genmaicha tea regularly can help to give a boost to your immune system and remove toxins from your body. You know the say “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, I would say “a cup a genmaicha a day keeps the doctor away”.
On the other hand, in such a tensed society, mental health could be important as well. Due to the theanine in genmaicha tea, drinking genmaicha tea can actually help your mind to relax and calm down, therefore, a lot of people would drink a small cup of genmaicha tea after their lunch break. While it can help with the digestion process, it can also help you to relieve the stress from a whole morning of hard work and brace yourself for the challenges in the rest of the day.
Genmaicha tea VS Matcha tea
Genmaicha tea and matcha tea are two of the major types of tea popular in Japan. Certainly, they each have their own unique tastes. Matcha tea has a grassier taste while genmaicha tea has a more woody and roasted taste due to the differences in the making and brewing process.
Genmaicha tea and matcha tea also have different benefits. Matcha tea actually has Buddhism origin. In ancient Japan, a Japanese Buddhist monk went to China for a spiritual trip, where he discovered a special way to enjoy green tea.
He realised that the process of making and drinking this type of tea can help with mental strength and meditation. On the other hand, genmaicha tea came from the lower class people who want to make the tea more fulfilling. Therefore, if you are looking for a boost for your brain, try matcha tea, but if you are looking for something warm to fill your stomach till lunch, grab some genmaicha tea.
Genmaicha tea calories and nutritional values
Unlike other types of tea, genmaicha tea does have a small amount of calories. Since it is a mixture of green tea and roasted brown rice, there are around 10 calories in one cup of genmaicha tea.
The low amount of calories makes it one of the best drinks for dieters because drinking genmaicha tea can give you a sense of fullness while having just 10 calories. Genmaicha tea also contains a lot of useful minerals and nutrients.
For example, the selenium in genmaicha tea can help to maintain thyroid function, which can help to regulate the hormone level in your body and boost metabolism. Not only that, it can also keep your blood sugar level and cholesterol level. Beside selenium, genmaicha tea also consists of many important nutrients like Vitamin B, Vitamin E, iron and dietary fibre, which are all essential to maintain body functions.
Matcha Iri Genmaicha tea – The combination of matcha and genmaicha
Matcha iri Gemaicha tea, literally meaning matcha tea in genmaicha tea, is a combination of matcha tea and genmaicha tea. Combining the unique tastes of genmaicha tea and matcha tea, matcha iri genmaicha tea has a more mellow flavor and color.
Diluting the lovely shade of green of matcha tea with the light brownish yellow of genmaicha tea, matcha iri genmaicha has a light green color.
Since it comes from two teas with complex flavors and aroma, matcha iri genmaicha has rich layers of aroma and tastes. Of course, the taste varies among different type and origins of tea, however, matcha iri genmaicha tea is often an exquisite illustration of two full-flavored and well-balanced taste. It is often treated as a start to enjoy matcha tea, because matcha could be a little intense for those who have never tried Japanese tea.
Organic genmaicha tea
More and more people are concerned about going organic, and it goes beyond just eating but an entire mindset and lifestyle being organic. Living an organic lifestyle means doing the best for your body and the environment. Therefore, you might want to try some organic genmaicha tea. A lot of tea products are organic on their own, however, sometimes preservatives would be added to make the tea last longer.
Yet, this would destroy the original taste of the tea, as well as add in some harmful side effects to it. Therefore, if you want to try genmaicha tea, make sure you choose an organic source so that you can rest assured knowing that you can getting all the goodies from it while at the same time do not have to suffer from the negative effects of preservatives and additives.
Genmaicha tea café in USA
After learning about all the amazing benefits of genmaicha tea, I bet you would love to give it a try. In Japan, many tea houses provide genmaicha tea, but it might be a little harder to find a nice place to enjoy genmaicha tea in the USA.
Here is a cozy place you can go with your friends. Argo Tea cafes offer a wide series of tea, including Western tea and Japanese tea. Not only you can enjoy the most original flavour of your favourite tea here, Argo tea cafes have been very creative in creating new kinds of tea for their customers, for example, the combination of Japanese green tea with a herbal teas and fruit teas, making the flavour richer and more complex.
Genmaicha tea is probably one of tea with the most complicated flavors and aromas in Japan. Formed by combining sencha tea, bancha tea and roasted brown rice, it has a woody taste and a roasted aroma at the first glance.
However, the aroma, taste and aftertaste do not stop there, this light brownish tea has a very complex taste profile worth exploring.
Moreover, genmaicha tea has a lot of health benefits with its origin from green tea. It can effectively boost the immune system, prevent certain chronic diseases and maintain a general health. Start today and incorporate genmaicha tea to your everyday diet in order to enjoy all the benefits of it!
You might also like٩(●˙▿˙●)۶…⋆ฺ:
→Astounding Benefits of Japanese Genmaicha Tea
→Different Types of Tea in Japan and it’s Health Benefits
→10 Sencha Tea Benefits You Have To Know
→Things You Must Know About Organic Green Tea!
