by 13 people |
May I introduce you to Genmaicha, the toasted rice green tea from Japan- the "popcorn" tea!
Legend of Genmaicha
a retelling by Theresa Lansberry
Long ago, in a country where beauty was honored, there lived a man named Genmai. Genmai served in the kitchen of the lord of the land. He worked with care every day, to ensure that each dish that he prepared was not only delicious, but a pleasure to look upon.
It was Genmai's special task to prepare the lord's tea. He took pride in his work, and whenever the lord called "Cha!", Genmai would endeavor to prepare a perfect cup of tea for his master's health.
One afternoon as he labored in the kitchen, the lord called for his tea. Of course, Genmai prepared it as usual. But then as he quickly stirred the rice for lunch, he carelessly tossed a few toasted grains unnoticed into the cup.
When the cup was taken to his master, the lord looked into the cup and saw these errant grains. Angry at the way that his tea was marred, he ordered Genmai to be executed.
Genmai bared his neck to do his master's bidding, and the order was carried out without delay. The lord settled in to drink his daily cha, and discovered to his delight the tea was only improved by the flavor of the rice grains. Genmai had indeed served him the perfect cup of tea. In acknowledgment of his faithful servant, it was ever after called "Genmai's cha"
When you carefully pour the water over your leaves and toasted rice today, you pay homage Genmai, who did his work with honor. He lost his head, but never lost face.
It was Genmai's special task to prepare the lord's tea. He took pride in his work, and whenever the lord called "Cha!", Genmai would endeavor to prepare a perfect cup of tea for his master's health.
One afternoon as he labored in the kitchen, the lord called for his tea. Of course, Genmai prepared it as usual. But then as he quickly stirred the rice for lunch, he carelessly tossed a few toasted grains unnoticed into the cup.
When the cup was taken to his master, the lord looked into the cup and saw these errant grains. Angry at the way that his tea was marred, he ordered Genmai to be executed.
Genmai bared his neck to do his master's bidding, and the order was carried out without delay. The lord settled in to drink his daily cha, and discovered to his delight the tea was only improved by the flavor of the rice grains. Genmai had indeed served him the perfect cup of tea. In acknowledgment of his faithful servant, it was ever after called "Genmai's cha"
When you carefully pour the water over your leaves and toasted rice today, you pay homage Genmai, who did his work with honor. He lost his head, but never lost face.
Where to buy Genmaicha
- Culinary Tea
- Culinary Teas carries two kinds of Genmaicha tea (loose, of course).
- Adagio Tea
- Click on "green" to see Adagio's Genmaicha. Also check out their glass teapots. Green tea is so pretty while it's brewing- if you don't have a glass pot, you should.
- Dragonwater Teas
- Dragonwater carries some lovely teas- one Genmaicha. They also carry some lovely glass teapots.
All about Genmaicha
Genmaicha is toasted (and popped!) rice in green tea. It has a distinct flavor, which most of us Americans equate most easily with popcorn. Now, that might not sound that appetizing to you, but don't knock it till you've tried it. I didn't like the IDEA of a buttered popcorn Jelly Belly, but I sure like eating the ACTUAL jelly bean.
Genmaicha is the most popular tea in Japan. It must be so, I read it on the internet.
Since Genmaicha is a green tea, it requires special care in making. Whether using loose or bagged tea, you need to control the temperature of the water carefully. If you make your water too hot, or brew your leaves too long, the tea will be bitter. And that is bad. The temperature to brew Genmaicha should be 150 to 175 degrees. At least, that's what the experts say. I find I like my water a little cooler. Experiment and find what you like. You can drag your kitchen thermometer out to boil the perfect water, if you're that sort of person. Or like me, you can guesstimate.
One way is to put the water in a pan, so you can see it. Before boiling, just as the little bubbles start to form on the bottom of the pan, but haven't yet begun to rise is a good time to turn off the heat.
Or, bring the water to a boil and then cool or add cold, filtered water until it is a temperature comfortable to leave your finger in for several seconds. This is my unscientific method of choice.
The leaves should be allowed to brew 1-3 minutes. Start out with the shorter time, and build up if it isn't strong enough for your taste.
I love brewing green tea in a glass teapot. It is beautiful. That reason alone is enough for me to choose loose tea over bagged. But the fact that it tastes better clinches the deal. If you aren't used to loose tea, it may seem harder. But think about it- it's just a change of routine for you, not a difficulty. Put the leaves in. Lift them out. (use a strainer if brewing a single cup, or lift the strainer out of your teapot) Was that so hard?
Inhale deeply.
Drink your tea.
Enjoy your life.
Genmaicha is the most popular tea in Japan. It must be so, I read it on the internet.
Since Genmaicha is a green tea, it requires special care in making. Whether using loose or bagged tea, you need to control the temperature of the water carefully. If you make your water too hot, or brew your leaves too long, the tea will be bitter. And that is bad. The temperature to brew Genmaicha should be 150 to 175 degrees. At least, that's what the experts say. I find I like my water a little cooler. Experiment and find what you like. You can drag your kitchen thermometer out to boil the perfect water, if you're that sort of person. Or like me, you can guesstimate.
One way is to put the water in a pan, so you can see it. Before boiling, just as the little bubbles start to form on the bottom of the pan, but haven't yet begun to rise is a good time to turn off the heat.
Or, bring the water to a boil and then cool or add cold, filtered water until it is a temperature comfortable to leave your finger in for several seconds. This is my unscientific method of choice.
The leaves should be allowed to brew 1-3 minutes. Start out with the shorter time, and build up if it isn't strong enough for your taste.
I love brewing green tea in a glass teapot. It is beautiful. That reason alone is enough for me to choose loose tea over bagged. But the fact that it tastes better clinches the deal. If you aren't used to loose tea, it may seem harder. But think about it- it's just a change of routine for you, not a difficulty. Put the leaves in. Lift them out. (use a strainer if brewing a single cup, or lift the strainer out of your teapot) Was that so hard?
Inhale deeply.
Drink your tea.
Enjoy your life.
Great Stuff on Amazon
The Green Tea User's Manual
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) 
Cooking with Green Tea: Delicious dishes enhanced by the miraculous healing powers of green tea
Amazon Price: $13.22 (as of 07/06/2009)
Genmaicha Guestbook
Lensmaster
Hi, what a nice lens
I agree that green tea has many benefit for health,
beside made long life for human body it's good
for every people ,every age.
Have Nice day
Green Tea And Mesothelioma
Posted February 28, 2009
Lensmaster
Cocomo wrote
I just purchase Genmaicha Tea I did not realize that it had rice in it.you know I like it
Posted August 21, 2008
Lensmaster
CM SACHIE wrote
MY TASTE BUDS DANCE AT THE VERY THOUGHT OF A CUP
OF GENMAI CHA...SOOO SOOTHING..ONE CUP IS NEVER ENOUGH !
Posted July 25, 2008
bburky wrote...
I like your post on Genmaicha tea. I lived in Japan and this was one of my favorite. So many to choose from it's hard to pick the best.
Posted June 10, 2008
