Teas / green / Genmaicha (Brown Rice Tea)

Genmaicha (Brown Rice Tea)

玄米茶 · Genmaicha

Genmaicha — literally "brown rice tea" — is Japanese green tea blended with roasted popped brown rice. The base green is usually sencha or bancha. Per Wikipedia, the rice contributes a "warm, full, nutty flavour" from its sugar and starch content; the tea is also nicknamed "popcorn tea" because some rice grains pop during roasting and resemble popcorn. Originally called "people's tea" — the rice served as a filler that reduced the price, making green tea more accessible to poorer Japanese households, and the tea was also consumed during religious fasting periods. A matcha-iri variant adds powdered green tea for a stronger, greener cup.

Quick facts

Region: Kyoto
Harvest year: 2025
Harvest season: spring
Cultivars: Yabukita

Brewing

Leaf: 3.0 g / 100 ml
Water: 85°C
Rinse: no
Gongfu steeps (s): 45, 60, 90
Western (min): 2.0

Tolerates hotter water than straight sencha because the rice doesn't bitter at higher temps. Steeps 2–3 times. Some lots add powdered matcha (matcha-iri genmaicha) for stronger flavour and greener colour.

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