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January 09, 2005
Gen-Mai Cha
Name: Gen-Mai Cha
Kathy's Rating: 8.5/10.0
Company: Tealuxe
Origin of tea: Japan
Price: $10/50g (1.76oz)
Tea form: Loose Japanese green tea with toasted and popped brown rice
What they say: Bright, delicate Kyoto green tea mixed with toasted and popped rice. A visual treat like snow in the springtime. The roasty aroma is from the toasted rice. The flavor is mellow and unique. Sometimes called 'popcorn' tea.
Preparation method: Pour slightly below boiling water over tea. Steep for 3 minutes.
Review: Gen-Mai Cha (brown rice tea) became popular during WWII, when tea supplies were low. The Japanese added toasted and popped brown rice to green tea in order to conserve on the amount of precious green tea used in each infusion. This turned out to be a savory combination, and Gen-Mai Cha remains popular to this day. The flavor of toasted rice gives this tea a hearty and nutty flavor that retains lightness, all at the same time. I really liked this tea. It reminds me of eating piping hot rice on a cold day. Gen-Mai Cha seems to be the perfect tea for almost any food you may be eating. Do yourself a favor and buy some of this tea. You won't regret it.
Posted by Kathy at January 9, 2005 04:00 PM