Genmaicha: Brown rice tea benefits

What is genmaicha tea?

Genmaicha green tea takes its name from the Japanese words for brown rice (genmai) and tea (cha). It’s technically a blended tea, made by mixing green tea with grains of roasted brown rice. This gives genmaicha a unique flavour, scent, and appearance quite unlike other varieties of green tea. It also offers plenty of potential wellness benefits, which we’ll cover in more detail later.

Interestingly, for a tea that’s now popular worldwide, genmaicha has rather humble origins. Although we don’t know exactly who invented this type of brown rice tea or when, it was likely around the 1900s. Tea was an expensive commodity at the time, so people began adding rice to bulk it out. Genmaicha tea consequently earned the nickname ‘the people’s tea’ because it was more affordable.

Another legend claims genmaicha was created when a servant accidentally dropped some grains of brown rice into his master’s tea. The lord became furious and killed the servant – then tasted the tea and found it to be delicious! However, there is little evidence to suggest this story has any credence.

People traditionally make genmaicha tea using bancha, a cheaper variety of green tea which consists of older tea leaves. Yet today you also find genmaicha tea made with sencha leaves, roasted hojicha tea leaves, and high-end gyokuro leaves. These all come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. However, cultivators pick them at different times, and grow and process them in different ways.

You can even get matcha-iri genmaicha, which mixes tea leaves, toasted brown rice, and matcha powder. This looks a little different to the other varieties, as the matcha powder coats the rice in vibrant green! Whichever you choose, the most common ratio of leaves to rice in genmaicha tea is 1:1.

What does genmaicha tea taste like?

Genmaicha consists of green tea with brown rice. As such, the flavour varies slightly depending on which type of green tea the producer makes it with. Many people believe the more mature bancha leaves complement the nutty notes of the rice better than younger sencha leaves do. Meanwhile, gyokuro genmaicha tends to be sweeter, whereas hojicha genmaicha is mellow and smoky.

Likewise, the temperature of the water you use and how long you steep the tea for will affect how it tastes. For example, as a general rule, the longer you leave green tea to infuse, the more bitter it becomes.

Having said that, whichever variety you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy the unique characteristics of genmaicha tea. Unlike many other types of green tea, once brewed genmaicha is a light yellow colour. The tea’s distinctive aroma is a beautiful combination of the fresh grassiness of tea leaves and the rich toasty scent of roasted rice.

In terms of flavour, genmaicha tea is warm and nutty, with cereal-like undertones and little bitterness. There’s also a delicate hint of sweetness from the caramelisation of the brown rice. You might find that genmaicha tea reminds you of buttered toast or popcorn. In fact, people sometimes call genmaicha ‘popcorn tea’. This is because some of the rice can pop during the roasted process, making it look a little like popcorn.

All of which makes genmaicha tea a unique and delicious drink!

Does genmaicha tea contain caffeine?

Like all green teas, genmaicha does contain some caffeine. However, brown rice green tea usually has lower levels of caffeine than most other varieties. This is because it’s half green tea and half rice, meaning you use fewer tea leaves per cup. Moreover, rice doesn’t have any caffeine in it at all. As such, genmaicha tea is a popular choice to enjoy in the evening.

It’s not only genmaicha tea’s low caffeine levels that make it a fantastic option when you want to unwind. The drink is also rich in the amino acid L-theanine. Research suggests that L-theanine can have a relaxing effect on the brain, without making you feel drowsy.(1) This is because it increases levels of alpha brain waves, as well as production of serotonin and the neurotransmitter GABA. These may all help to reduce feelings of anxiety. L-theanine might even improve the quality of your sleep – something we could all appreciate!

Note that the amount of caffeine in genmaicha will vary depending on the type of green tea it’s made with. Genmaicha tea made with hojicha or bancha has lower caffeine levels than genmaicha made with gyokuro, matcha or sencha.

Of course, having some caffeine in your tea is not necessarily a bad thing. Multiple studies have found that caffeine can have a positive effect on cognitive functions such as memory, focus, and alertness. What’s interesting is that consuming caffeine and L-theanine together could be especially beneficial in this regard.(2)

Moreover, drinking green tea with brown rice tends to give you a more stable energy boost compared to drinking coffee. So you’re unlikely to get jittery after a cup of genmaicha tea!

Other ways genmaicha tea is good for the brain

In addition to enhancing your cognitive performance, enjoying genmaicha green tea could help to protect your brain from ageing. This is thanks to the assortment of beneficial compounds both green tea and brown rice contain.

For example, green tea is rich in potent polyphenols such as catechins, which studies have found to have neuroprotective effects. Consequently, it could be useful in warding off cognitive decline and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disorders like dementia.(3) There are several potential reasons for this.

First, catechins are powerful antioxidants, meaning they can protect our cells from the damage caused by free radicals. Experts have linked oxidative stress to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The brown rice in genmaicha tea also has antioxidant properties, as it’s high in key compounds such as ellagic acid. This further boosts the brain-protecting properties of genmaicha green tea.

Moreover, studies suggest that certain catechins in green tea, like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), can activate nerve cells in the brain.(4) This may also help to suppress brain ageing.

The power of genmaicha tea: further brown rice tea benefits

The positive influence of genmaicha tea extends far beyond the brain. For example, research indicates that green tea might help speed up your metabolism and enable you to burn more fat. Some studies have found the catechins it contains could decrease body weight, body fat, and waist and hip circumference.(5) However, further investigation is required to clarify its effectiveness for weight loss.

Linked with this, evidence suggests that green tea may also improve insulin sensitivity and decrease blood sugar levels.(6) This could work to lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, green tea might even be effective at tackling bad breath thanks to the antibacterial properties of its catechins.

Genmaicha tea is additionally beneficial for the health of your heart. Many studies have found that green tea drinkers have a reduced likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.(7) There are several factors that contribute to this result. First, the antioxidant properties of green tea help to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. Green tea can also work to bring down cholesterol levels overall.

In addition, drinking green tea may lower blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis. These are all effective ways to keep your heart healthy.

Returning to the antioxidant compounds in genmaicha tea, research has linked these with a decreased risk of cancer.(8) Some observational studies have discovered that green tea drinkers are less likely to get certain forms of the disease. However, further investigation is required to clarify the drink’s effectiveness in this regard.

Finally, there is even evidence to suggest that drinking genmaicha tea could boost your longevity. Studies have revealed that those who drink the greatest amount of green tea have a lower risk of mortality from all causes.(9) Now that’s very good news!

How to brew genmaicha tea

It’s time for the most important part of the article: how to brew the perfect cup of genmaicha tea. The best method will depend on whether you’re using loose leaf tea or genmaicha powder. Let’s look at the brewing instructions for loose leaf genmaicha tea first.

Start by warming your teapot and teacups with hot water. This can enhance the flavour of your tea and help to maintain its temperature. Then pop 1-2 teaspoons of genmaicha tea per cup into the pot.

Steep the leaves in 80-85°C water for between 1-3 minutes. The optimal water temperature and steeping time for genmaicha depends on what type of green tea it’s made with. For example, lower-grade teas like bancha can tolerate hotter temperatures. High-grade teas like gyokuro, on the other hand, require a cooler temperature.

Pour your genmaicha little by little into the cups (rather than filling one completely before moving on to the next). This helps to balance the strength and flavour of the tea in each mug.

Remember that you can brew genmaicha tea multiple times. With each subsequent infusion, use hotter water and steep the leaves for a little longer. This will preserve the intensity of the flavour.

When making genmaicha tea from powder, begin by adding about a teaspoon into your cup. Mix it with a small amount of water to make a paste and get rid of any lumps. Then fill up the rest of the mug. You can either stir the drink with a spoon or use a bamboo chasen whisk like when making matcha.

Want to enjoy a refreshing glass of cold genmaicha tea? Simply pop it in the fridge for a few hours to cool down, then serve it over ice.

Introducing our genmaicha tea

Using high quality leaves or powder is another important aspect of brewing the perfect cup of genmaicha tea. As well as ensuring you enjoy a great-tasting drink, it enables you to get the maximum nutritional value from every sip. Which is why we make sure that we partner with the best tea producers to create our organic genmaicha powder.

We source our genmaicha tea directly from small farms in Japan. They harness the knowledge and experience from 170 years of tea production to cultivate the very finest plants. All the plants are organic, so you can rest assured that the producers didn’t use any chemicals to make your genmaicha tea.

During harvest season, farmers pick the leaves by hand, before steaming and drying them. They then mix roasted grains of brown rice with the tea leaves, in a ratio of approximately 1:1. Finally, our team grinds the green tea with brown rice into a fine powder. We do this in small batches to ensure that the genmaicha tea you receive is always fresh.

How to make your own genmaicha tea

If you prefer a more DIY approach, you also have the option to make your own genmaicha tea. It’s surprisingly simple – all you need is some loose leaf green tea and rice. Either white or brown rice is fine, but try to avoid long grain varieties.

The simplest method is to roast the rice in a pan until the grains are dark with a deliciously nutty scent. Allow the rice to cool, then mix it with your green tea leaves and follow the brewing instructions above. In order to make your genmaicha tea more authentic, however, you might like to add some additional steps.

For example, soaking the rice for a couple of hours before toasting it can help make the grains puffier. Similarly, some people choose to soak and then cook the rice before finally roasting it. If you use one of these approaches, allow the rice to dry prior to roasting.

Whichever method you pick, take care not to let the rice burn. This will completely spoil the taste of your genmaicha tea!