Genmaicha
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Type: | Green |
| Other names: | 玄米茶 (Kanji) Hyeonmi nokcha (현미 녹차, Korean) Roasted Rice Tea "Popcorn Tea" |
| Origin: | East Asia |
| Quick description: | Genmaicha is green tea combined with roasted brown rice, some grains of which have popped. |
Genmaicha (玄米茶? "brown rice tea") is the Japanese name for green tea combined with roasted brown rice. It is sometimes referred to colloquially as "popcorn tea" because a few grains of the rice pop during the roasting process and resemble popcorn. This type of tea was originally drunk by poor Japanese, as the rice served as a filler and reduced the price of the tea; today it is consumed by all segments of society.
Tea steeped from these tea leaves has a light yellow hue. Its flavor is mild and combines the fresh grassy flavor of green tea with the aroma of the roasted rice. The water to steep this tea should be about 80-85°C (175-185°F). A steeping time of 3-5 minutes is recommended, depending on desired strength.
Genmaicha is also sold with matcha (powdered green tea) added to it. This product is called Matcha-iri genmaicha (lit. Genmaicha with added powdered tea). Matcha-iri genmaicha has a similar flavor to plain genmaicha but the flavor is often stronger and the color more green than light yellow.
[edit] See also
- Hyeonmi cha, a Korean tisane made from roasted brown rice
- Sungnyung, a Korean beverage made from scorched rice
- Mugicha, a tisane made from roasted barley
- Roasted grain beverage
[edit] References
- "Rice you can drink" An entry on roasted rice tea at DCFUD, a Washington, DC-based food blog.
- "Brewing Genmaicha" A web page detailing instructions for brewing.
- "Gen Mai Cha LRG" Oolong Tea House's Gen Mai Cha page
- "How to Make Genmaicha or Brown Rice Tea" Easy instructions on how to make your own Genmaicha.

