Genmaicha 'Popcorn' Organic Green

Genmaicha is a Japanese green tea, an organic sencha blended with genmai, or roasted brown rice. The name simply means brown rice tea; the "popcorn" comes from what happens during roasting, when some of the rice grains puff and burst open, so they look (and smell) like tiny scraps of popcorn. There is no actual corn in it.

The rice was originally added to make the tea go further, back when tea cost a good deal more than rice; the blend even picked up the nickname "peasant's tea." These days it is celebrated in its own right, for exactly the qualities that once made it thrifty: a toasty, savoury, nutty character unlike any other green, with the sweet, grassy notes of the sencha underneath. It is an everyday tea in Japan, and a very easy one to love. Despite all that savouriness it is properly refreshing, which is why it is my pick for a cold brew in summer.

On a trip to Japan in 2019, I was struck by how often it turned up at the table: several restaurants in Kyoto served genmaicha instead of water alongside the meal, brewed quite weak and served chilled. That stuck with me. Those toasty notes pair beautifully with food; try it with salads, poke bowls or sushi. Because it is a green tea at heart, it does contain caffeine.

"We can see that this is a tea and blend of high quality and are happy to award a star." - Great Taste Awards 2022 (1 Star)

Brew at 80°C for a short 1.5 minutes; that quick infusion keeps the astringency in balance and lets the toasted rice come through.

Ingredients || Organic Green Tea, Brown Rice

Warning, packed in an environment that contains nuts

Caffeine || Yes

Tasting Notes || Toasted rice and sweet grass

Brewing Notes || 80ºC, brew for 1.5 minutes