Organic Genmaicha Green Tea

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Organic Genmaicha Green Tea

Our organic Genmaicha (pronounced GEN-my-cha) offers a unique savory, toasted flavor and aroma with light body and limited bitterness. It blends a mixture of organic green tea ("cha" in Japanese) and organic toasted brown rice ("genmai" in Japanese). This traditional organic loose leaf tea is very popular in Japan for everyday use and was popularized during WWII to help stretch the tea supply. Our organic genmaicha grown in the Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan is a slightly different style than our previous offering. It has a stronger toasted flavor note and a greater ratio of rice kernel to tea leaf. As is customary with most Japanese teas, our new Organic Genmaicha exhibits mixed grading (consisting of both small and larger leaf particles) with a leaf reminiscent of Sencha style.

Ingredients: organic Japanese green tea and organic brown rice

Origin: Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan

Kagoshima is a prefecture on the island of Kyushu, in Southern Japan which boasts a chain of active and inactive volcanoes that add to the soil content. Kagoshima is the second largest producer of green tea in Japan, and tea has been growing here since the 1300s. However, much of the world never experiences organic tea from Kagoshima because green tea is so popular in Japan that most tea grown in Japan is consumed in Japan; very little is exported. Within Japan, Kagoshima is the furthest distance from the Fukushima disaster. For those concerned with the implications of the Fukushima-Daiichi disaster, we continue to have our organic teas from Japan independently tested for radiation.

Steeping Instructions

At Arbor Teas, we believe tea should be brewed to suit your personal taste. We’re happy to make recommendations to get you started, but don’t hesitate to experiment! When brewing your tea, your main considerations are tea quantity, water temperature, and steeping time. We recommend green and white teas to be steeped for 2 to 3 minutes in water heated to not-quite-boiling, just as bubbles begin to form on the bottom of the pan (approximately 170 to 180 degrees F). For the best flavor, use fresh water whenever possible. Try not to steep your tea longer than necessary, as you’ll extract undesirable bitterness from the leaves. If you want a stronger brew, don’t steep longer, just use more tea. And don’t forget to re-steep your tea leaves to get the most out of your leaf!

Looking for more info? Check out our How-To Guides and Eco-Brewing Tips!

Staff Perspectives

Sarah
"I love Genmaicha! Its fullness is so pleasing, as is the nutty flavor. This tea feels so good after a particularly tough workout!"
Jeremy
"This is my favorite organic tea from Japan to drink with sushi!"
Aubrey
"Whenever we serve this tea at a tasting, someone always comments that it reminds them of popcorn!"

Health Benefits

Like all true tea, green tea offers many potential health benefits. Research has found that tea (Camellia sinensis) can have many positive effects on human health, including improved cardiovascular function, cancer risk reduction, improved immune function, improved oral health, and help with weight management. Tea is also full of polyphenols, which are a class of antioxidant that help your body maintain homeostasis and balance your stress levels.

Green tea specifically is known for its array of health benefits, which have been supported by a growing number of studies. Green tea research has demonstrated that it may be an effective anticancer agent for breast cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer and prostate cancer, among others. Studies have shown a link between green tea and weight loss, and the ability to modulate energy metabolism, aid in body fat regulation, and possibly promote preferential loss in abdominal fat. Research has also shown that green tea may increase performance for short term memory tasks, as well as being increasing potency of antibiotics. Other peer-reviewed studies link green tea to healthy skin, help with lowering cholesterol, and regulating diabetes. It’s important to keep in mind that many of these studies monitor subjects who drink several cups of green tea per day.

For more information about the health benefits of green tea, and for direct sources of the above information, check out our Tea Health Benefits Page!

Please note: the information above is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Customer Reviews

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4

perfect genmaicha

Posted by Skye on 13th Nov 2022

I'm a big fan of genmaicha tea, it's so comforting and cozy in the winter time. I've never had it with sushi, but I'm definitely going to order it the next time I have sushi. Lately I've been doing an extremely low carb diet to manage my diabetes and somehow the grain flavor of the genmaicha helps me experience the sensation of carbs without actually raising my blood sugar. Genmaicha isn't a tea I drink daily, or with my breakfast, but I love to have it on hand to drink in the afternoons when I want a little bit of a pick me up but don't want to be up all night. I love that this tea is ethically made and environmentally friendly. I want to try genmaichas from a couple of a different tea companies and this is the first one so I'm not sure yet if Arbor's genmaicha is my genmaicha of choice but it is absolutely a contender.
5

My favorite!

Posted by Martha/Tommy Lohman on 11th Dec 2021

This is my daily choice. I enjoy inhaling the nutty aroma, reminiscent of crispy rice cereal, and from the first sip I find myself relaxing and savoring the moment. While more expensive than some other greens that I enjoy, this genmaicha has been my favorite for two years. I have served it to guests and enjoyed watching them experience it: with their first sip, they weren't sure; their second sip, they were interested; by their third sip, they liked it. Just writing this review makes me want to buy more!
5

Toasty!

Posted by Nick Moloney on 22nd Apr 2021

I love this tea - it's toasted rice flavor is quite strong which I like for something different. Definitely recommend! I've been making it iced and it's delicious
5

Toasty

Posted by Callie Macaluso on 11th Feb 2021

This tea never disappoints. It's toasty-roasty goodness, warm and cosy and perfect for cooler months, and still light and delicious. It's exactly what you want from Genmaicha, never over-toasted, perfectly satisfying.
5

organic genmaicha

Posted by Karen C on 8th Feb 2021

My favorite genmaicha. So flavorful all around. The freshness of the green tea flavor, the roasted nuttiness of the roasted rice. Perfection. I have been drinking genmaicha for decades and have watched it being made in Japan, bought it there. Absolutely perfect
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5

One of my favorite teas

Posted by Andrea Weaver on 16th Nov 2020

I first tried this when it came in part of the sampler set, and this Genmaicha green tea is now one of my favorites.
5

Delicious, Toasty, Warm, Comforting

Posted by Izabela J. on 6th Jan 2018

I've been ordering this Genmaicha tea for a while now from Arbor Teas, and I doubt I'll ever order it again from another tea company. Top of the line among genmaicha teas. What I love about this tea is the fact that the toasted rice is mixed with actual gyokuro leaves, and not with sencha leaves - as is the case with most other genmaicha teas on the market (while I do like sencha, simply no other green tea can ever compare to gyokuro to my taste). What I also love about it is the fact that this tea contains A LOT of the deliciously toasted rice, which gives it even more of the warm, toasty and incredibly comforting flavor. And lastly, the price is extremely reasonable for the amount and the QUALITY of this tea. You simply can't beat Arbor Tea's genmaicha. LOVE IT <3
5

Can't wait to try more green tea

Posted by John on 26th Nov 2017

Your organic Green tea is just perfect.
5

Fascinating!

Posted by Jesse on 24th Feb 2015

I'm totally new to the world of Japanese green tea, let alone ones that are this unique. I bought a sample of this and was very surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It has such a comforting and toasty flavor. Something you really have to try to have an opinion on. I probably won't be ordering this again but I'm so glad I tried it. My bag leaned more on the side of brown rice than tea leaf, which probably wouldn't work as well with a lower quality tea. The tea is incredibly fresh. This stuff smells like it just came off the tree. Thank you Arbor Teas for showing me what fresh really tastes and smells like!
5

perfect for a winter afternoon

Posted by Lauren on 11th Jan 2015

After falling in love with brown rice tea in South Korea, I knew I needed to order this. The flavors exceeded my expectations. I love the soothing, nutty, brown rice taste. I added a teaspoon of honey making it somewhat reminiscent of arroz con leche. I will order this again!
5

A hearty sip!

Posted by Unknown on 3rd Mar 2014

This is a wonderfully vigorous yet gentle tea. The only green that my husband absolutely vouches for and hence, I am a happy camper. The only gripe is that I have been waiting a long, long time for it to become available and so far it has been out of stock.
5

My ultimate comfort tea

Posted by Candice on 14th Oct 2013

Genmaicha is one of my favorite teas, I find it extremely comforting and I drink it almost daily. I have tried many genmaichas, and this one from Arbor Teas is an excellent product. If you've never had it before, I describe it as savory, because of the toasted rice it has the comforting characteristics of a broth (although it does not taste like broth) rather, you can taste the green tea with a very subtle sweetness and the dominate flavor the nutty popped rice. This is definitely not a tea you add sugar to. I think it pairs well with food so I enjoy drinking it with my meals. This genmaicha has a very pure, crisp mouth feel which is hard to come by in many genamichas. I have found that you either love genmaicha or hate it, those who I know who do not enjoy this tea are typically more interested in sweet teas. If you enjoy green teas, you will likely enjoy this tea.
5

Soothing & Pure

Posted by Meghan & David Briggs (Ambler, PA) on 15th Sep 2012

This is by far the best cup of Genmaicha I have had the pleasure of sipping. The leaves are substantial, with precious few pieces of stem. I agree with the previous reviewer that I am accustomed to more brown rice in the mix, but the nutty roast of the rice made up for the lack of quantity. The balance of crystalline flavors was spot-on and you now have a long-term customer. Genmaicha starts my day and I am pleased to have your excellent product fill my TEAmo mug. From one small-business family (prorigs.net) to another, THANK YOU!
5

Fantastic!

Posted by Rachel on 22nd Aug 2012

Very pleasing flavor. On the mild side compared to the tea I'm usually served at sushi and Japanese restaurants, so I tend to brew it long and strong. When I buy this kind of tea in bulk in Oakland or Boston Chinatown (random, I know), the rice to tea leaf ratio is usually much higher (more rice) but I found that this ratio was DELICIOUS and ultimately ideal. So tasty and soothing, and I'm so pleased with the compostable packaging and organic/fair trade philosophy. Oh, and the handwritten note was absolutely charming. I have the feeling I will be buying all my teas from Arbor now...Thanks!!!
5

Toasty

Posted by Unknown on 13th Feb 2012

it has a great roasted flavor layered over a bright green tea taste. really enjoyable almost any time, but i like it best paired with desert
5

popcorn!

Posted by JuuluieAnn Foulds on 31st May 2010

I have been looking for this exact tea with popcorn in it. Do you sell that?
5

Another Japanese winner

Posted by Bill Edwards on 19th Nov 2007

The purist in me did not want to like this tea (what are those Rice Krispies doin' in my tea?) but this is an example of excellent tea-crafting. It brews to a deep bronze color with a hearty toasted grain taste. This is great to have with meals as it can hold its own with competing flavors. Well priced too!
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