★★★★★
I normally lean more to buying sweeter teas, but this savory jem was an exception for me. Normally I am not a big fan of the astringency of green teas, but this was a huge standout for me and I will be ordering it again.
Classic Japanese green tea, blended with toasted, popped rice. Warm, nutty with a lovely savory and hearty quality.
Customers use these reviews to describe their experience with Genmai Cha, including flavor, aroma, preparation preferences, strength, and how the tea fits into daily routines. Browse the full review history page by page to compare tasting notes, steeping tips, and favorite ways to enjoy this tea.
I normally lean more to buying sweeter teas, but this savory jem was an exception for me. Normally I am not a big fan of the astringency of green teas, but this was a huge standout for me and I will be ordering it again.
I've purchased genmai cha in many forms but I always come back to adagio for my favorite. Easy to make and hard to go wrong.
I was very surprised how much I liked this. The rice and popcorn give this tea a full-bodied feel. The flavor is still green, but there are toasted undertones that add depth.
While many really enjoy this classic blend, I'd have to say this isn't really my cup of tea. The flavor from the green tea leaves themselves tastes great, but the aftertaste of the toasted rice on my palate and the aroma of the brew both seem unnatural to me for some reason. I most likely won't be getting this one again. Had to really sweeten it just to get it down.
I have a new favorite and this is it! Bought this as part of the Samurai green tea sampler pack and I love it! The smell is very strong and for me, it's amazing. Yes, there is a strong taste as well. If you don't like popcorn or brown rice, then pass. This is not for you. I love eating the rice and popcorn as it's steeping. Great tasting green tea. Definitely one to have on hand at all times. Made an error and ordered the 4oz bag, should have ordered the 1lb bag...which I will do next time. The flavor is delightful. Very relaxing flavor.
This is my daily green. Yeah, partly because it's less expensive. Sometimes I need a 'greener' tasting green tea when I'm going to slow down and savor it, but I like the toasty flavor of genmai cha in the mornings. It's very forgiving when I brew it too hot or put it through multiple infusions. It's certainly unlike any other green tea flavor - I could understand people loving it or hating it. I love it.
Probably my favorite adagio tea, real easy to make and good bold flavor profile. Don't brew too long or the roasted flavor from the rice dominates, 30 seconds at 210f (just after it stops boiling) with 2 grams tea to 4 oz water ratio, makes a perfect cup everytime.
The earthy flavors from the rice really come through in this. It isn't quite as good as a barley-based genmai cha type tea that I used to get locally, but since the company went out of business on me, this is a good replacement.
Nothing against this variety of tea--I normally enjoy the fragrance and flavor--but this bag of tea is bitter and strangely proportioned. It seems like there is too much toasted rice/popcorn and not enough tea, but like I said the tea is hard not to make bitter. To compensate I turn the water temp way down and only steep for 30 seconds or less.
It's okay for Genmaicha, but I don't think I will re-order. It's sort of toasted tasting (due to the toasted rice) - and just isn't very pleasant as a tea, I think. The rice tastes great however by itself... hah hah...
Absolutely love this tea. If you don't like the taste of popcorn, this is probably not the tea for you, since the actual tea flavor gets somewhat overpowered by the rice. If you do, it's a great cozy, rainy day kind of tea. Highly recommend trying it
I like the nutty flavor. It's a nice break from your standard green teas.
I find this an extremely refreshing tea when my stomach is upset or I want a flavor that is not sweet. The rice cracker tang of this can't be beat and this is the best I've had of the varieties I've tried. Yummmmm.
I'm really glad I came across this tea. It is a very nice change of pace from the typical greens and I find that using a french press with this tea really brings out the flavor and aromatic qualities
Worth a try but I wouldn't order it again. Price seems a little high considering it is more than half rice.
I love this soft nutty toasted flavor of this tea. great hot or cold
I was unfamiliar with this type of tea but tried a sample tin and decided to get more because of the interesting warm flavors. The toasted rice makes for a unique flavor you can't get from other teas and it great for sipping on.
I really like the toasted rice flavor, which gives a unique smokey undertone that's quite distinct from other Japanese green teas. This tea is definitely an acquired taste, but you won't know if you like it or not until you try it.
This is a really unique tea, and I'm still a bit on the fence about if I like it a little or a lot. It's good for a change of pace, to say the least. It has a flavor and aroma similar to popcorn.
This is one of the teas that I really enjoy all on its own, no sweetener or anything else necessary-I actually dislike sweetener with this tea, which is rare for me. Classic green tea taste with a prominent toasty, ricey flavor. Light enough on caffeine so I can have it almost anytime, but with enough to give you a very gentle buzz. I always order a tea like this one at my favorite sushi place and am so glad I found a way to have it at home.
A wonderfully different tea. The green tea mixes will with the toasted flavor of the rice.
I frequently serve this genmai cha to friends who aren't necessarily into tea. The toasty flavor is pleasant and interesting, not 'grassy' like some greens.
Quite different than what I was expecting, but that's definitely not a bad thing. It was a delicious mix of green tea and rice.
Nice standard genmai cha. The toasted rice flavor is delicious, and I drink this one almost daily.
Pretty good, and I thought the toasted rice to leaf ratio was really great too. The leaves were not top quality, but they were very good for a genmai cha.
Rich and nutty, it's one of my favorite lower grade teas to have every day. Be careful not to oversteep or else it will become very bitter very fast.
Yuck. Smells terrible! Tastes slightly better than terrible.
I love Genmai Cha, the smokey flavor that is added by the toasted rice is awesome.
Boy does it ever taste like popped rice. If you like the taste of popped rice, I would recommend it. If not, then perhaps you should look elsewhere. Anyway, it does taste rather toasty and rich. I would compare the taste, if I may make such a crude comparison, with Smacks cereal.
Has a nice toasty flavor that I enjoyed very much. I may have steeped it at too high a temperature, though, because it was just slightly bitter. If I can perfect the brew, this will be a magnificent cup of tea.
This is a very interesting and surprising tea. I enjoyed the unique flavors added by the rice and they accent the green tea well providing a solid nutty flavor.
My only wish was for perhaps a slightly higher green tea count as at times the rice flavor seems a bit too strong for the amount of actual tea present
Overall a good green
Hard for me to drink a lot of this tea, especially when it's overbrewed
This is a very good green tea. It's extremely nutty, and tastes pretty roasted. Despite liking mostly lighter teas, I enjoyed this one as well.
This tea is like a snack. The toasted rice and popcorn flavor really mellow out the green tea, but the tea flavor is not overwhelmed. Love it!
This is my second favorite green tea (sorry genmaicha, dragonwell will always be number one for me haha)!This unusual green tea is very toasty and nutty and is just lovely overall. I absolutely love this tea and am definitely going to buy this again.
This is a delicious tea that strikes a great balance between a delicate green tea taste and a robust popped rice taste. It contains both the subtlies you'd expect in a green tea and also has some bite to it. Plus, the price just makes this tea perfect for a daily afternoon cup or two.
This tea is superbe! It has a warm slightly nutty/creamy taste that is very unique to teas. This tea makes a great breakfast blend.
It was quite interesting to open the package and see popcorn! =) Ok, so it was popped rice, but still! At first I wasn't sure if I liked it or not, but it grew on me. Sort of what I'd call 'rough' and 'deep', I like the flavor.
Nice genai cha. The grass is sharp like The Great Divorce but the carmel-buttery roasted rice almost balances it perfectly.
I love the combination of popped rice with a smooth Japanese green tea.
this is my fav tea i love the rice and popcorn never thought it would taste so great but mixed with green tea its the best !
Very nice green tea taste with a slightly stronger popcorn -ish and rice notes to it.
This has got to be one of my all time favorite afternoon teas.
This tea is very foody. I decided to try it, seeing that it was very popular and unique. When I was making it, I was very pleased with the colour, but then I smelled it. It was such an overpowering burning smell. The taste was subdued, but as you drank it you got a nosefull of nuts/rice. It's better if you let it steep for only 1 minute.
I like this tea. I like the toasty flavor and like to drink this tea with dinner.
Tried this tea when I was in Hawaii over the summer and had to order some when I got back. Great tea.
Popcorn flavor is more pronounced than the rice, but overall, the flavor is quite good. Just what I was looking for. If you want a green tea that's distinctly different from what you're used to, this is a great one to try.
You either love or hate this tea. Adagio's is a little more bitter than other genmai cha I have had.
This tea will surprise you. The rice adds a wonderful nutty flavor and the green tea tastes of spring. It's a wonderful cup of tea, don't be put off, the combination sounds a little strange, but is wonderful.