Though Genmai Cha has been around for a long time, it's a tea you may not have heard of before. With its unique, puffed rice flavor, it's not your average cup of tea. And yet, despite humble origins, this tea is discovering a new surge in popularity, making its rounds in tea and coffee shops around the US, and of course, here with us at Adagio.

What is it?

Genmai Cha is a Japanese tea made from green tea and puffed brown rice. With several unique facets, it is markedly different in both preparation and taste from most other green teas. Here's why.

Firstly, in Japan, tea is processed differently than in other regions. Most notably, they have two distinct growing techniques, either shade-grown, which produce teas like Gyokuro and Matcha, or uncovered, which produces Japan's most famous green tea, Sencha, as well as Bancha, and Hojicha.

Additionally, when the tea is processed, it is usually steamed instead of pan-fired. Steaming and pan-firing are both techniques to stop the oxidization process in tea, which determines the type of tea produced (white, green, black, or oolong), with darker types being more oxidized.

Finally, Japanese teas are usually rolled, which gives them a distinct cylindrical appearance as opposed to other flat or curly loose leaf teas. All of these factors lead to the subtle flavor differences that make Japanese green teas unique.

In Genmai Cha, however, the real distinguisher is the rice. Rice, like corn kernels and other grains, can be popped or puffed. Puffed rice is common in many Eastern cuisines, but is also popular in the US in candies and cereals. Most commonly, it is made by frying the rice in hot oil or by steaming it in high-pressure environments.

Because puffed rice can sometimes have a popcorn-like appearance, Genmai Cha is often nicknamed popcorn tea. It is also referred to as people's tea as the tea was originally only drunk by the lower classes, who added the rice to help stretch thin tea supplies. The tea is now enjoyed by all people and has even been making its way over to the US, where it is prized for its warm, unique flavor.

In most Genmai Cha, Bancha (second flush Sencha) tea is used, though here at Adagio, we use higher grade first flush Sencha instead. For our supplies, we partner with Masuda Yoshio of the Masudaen Tea Company as part of our Roots campaign.

Preparation and taste

As a green tea, Genmai Cha should be prepared at 180°F/82°C for two minutes. It should be steeped in infusers (such as our ceramic or paper infusers) that have room for the rice to expand. It is best without added sugar, honey, or lemon.

For flavor, Genmai Cha has a warm, nutty flavor. It's a hearty tea, with low astringency and a full, deep flavor. Because it's a green tea, it has a slight, grassy undertone, which can be enhanced by the addition of matcha powder (called matcha-iri genmai cha). The strongest flavor comes from the puffed rice, however, which can lead some Westerners to think of warm breakfast cereals. The same can be said for the aroma, which is again led by the puffed rice with the green tea scent underneath.

Flavor pairings

Because Genmai Cha is a savory tea, it pairs well with rich, earthy flavors but may be overpowering for lighter or more delicate flavors like fruits, sweets, and certain vegetables. It's a great evening or dinner tea, especially tasty in fall and winter for its warming properties. As a green tea, it will have some caffeine in it, though not nearly as much as other options like black tea, oolong, or matcha. It can be enjoyed hot or cold, though hot seems more common.

Because of its puffed rice component, it can also be used in a variety of rice-based dishes, granolas, grain-based sides, and meat dishes. If you use dry Genmai Cha leaves in your recipe, as opposed to just the steeped tea, you can even use the puffed rice to add a crunchy component to salads or other sides.

Recipes

We have several recipes on TeaChef which utilize Genmai Cha. A few examples include Genmai Cha Salmon, Genmai Cha Tabbouleh, Genmai Cha Risotto Pudding, Ses-Tea-Me Brittle, and Genmai Cha Stuffed Mushrooms.

Just type Genmai Cha into the search bar for more options, or come up with your own, making sure to share your creation with us when you're done!

In summary, Genmai Cha is a savory tea that's climbed the popularity ranks from humble beginnings to nouveau chic. It's a great option if you're looking for something heartier and less astringent than your average tea and has a history as rich as its taste. We hope you've enjoyed this overview. And of course, if you fall in love with this fashionable favorite, create a new recipe, or just want to shout out that you're trying something new, make sure to let us know on social @AdagioTeas.