Special Tea Genmaicha Green Tea Popcorn Tea
Genmaicha is a brown rice green tea consisting of green tea mixed with roasted popped 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. The sugar and starch from the rice cause the tea to have a warm, full, nutty flavor. It is considered easy to drink and to make the stomach feel better. Tea steeped from genmaicha 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. Although this tea is based on green tea, the recommended way to brew this tea is different: the water should be at about 80 - 85 °C (176 - 185 °F), and a brewing time of 3 - 5 minutes is recommended, depending on desired strength.
Legend says that one day a samurai’s servant named Genmai was pouring tea for his master, when a few kernels of roasted rice fell out of his sleeve into the cup of the samurai. In a fit of anger about the “ruin” of his beloved tea, he drew his katana (sword) and beheaded his servant. The samurai sat back and drank the tea and discovered that the rice had transformed the tea. Rather than ruining it, the rice gave the tea a flavour far superior to the pure tea. He felt instant remorse about his cruel injustice and ordered this new tea to be served every morning in commemoration of his late servant. As a further honour, he named the tea after him: Genmaicha (‘’ tea of Genmai’’) .
The dry tea leaves are dark green and slender accompanied with brown rice kernels and puff rice. Tea steeped from these tea leaves has a light yellow hue. The taste is pleasant with a hint of roasted rice and a mild aftertaste. The aroma is a light scent of freshness and roasted rice.
