What is Genmaicha Tea
Genmaicha is a Japanese green tea that has been roasted…
…and then steamed. It’s made by mixing the leaves of young Camellia sinensis with those from mature plants, which are more bitter than the younger ones. The result is an aromatic blend of sweet notes and spicy notes. This combination gives it its characteristic flavor: nutty-sweetness on top of a slightly smoky note. Genmaicha is often served as breakfast or dessert in Japan; however, you can drink this delicious beverage any time of day!
Genmaicha Tea Benefits
The benefits of drinking genmaicha include weight loss, improved digestion, better sleep quality, and increased energy levels. These health benefits come from the caffeine content, but also because of other compounds found in genmaicha such as polyphenols, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and chlorophyll.
Caffeine Content
One cup of genmaicha contains about 70 mg of caffeine, compared to 100 mg for regular black teas like Lipton Green Tea and 200 mg for coffee. However, since there is less caffeine per serving, you’ll get fewer jitters if you have two cups instead of one.
Healthy Digestion
Because genmaicha is high in antioxidants, it helps your body fight free radicals, making it great for improving digestive function. Antioxidants help prevent damage done by free radicals, so they’re important when we eat foods rich in them. Genmaicha is especially good at fighting inflammation caused by stomach ulcers and heartburn.
Improved Sleep Quality
Studies show that people who drank green tea before bedtime had lower blood pressure and were able to fall asleep faster than non-tea drinkers. In addition, studies suggest that green tea may be helpful for insomnia due to its ability to improve alertness during daytime hours.
Increased Energy Levels
Green tea boosts metabolism and increases calorie burning.
What Does Genmaicha Tea Taste Like?
Genmaicha tea, like mugicha, has a toasted, nutty flavor due to the sugars and starch in the roasted rice (barley tea). The flavor of genmaicha is midway between the savory, caramel tones of oolong tea and the delicate floral notes of regular sencha. Green tea, which has a more grassy, vegetal flavor and fragrance, is more full-bodied than genmaicha.
How Do I Make Genmaicha Tea?
To make genmaicha at home, simply mix equal parts of green tea and black tea. You may add honey if desired. You can use either loose leaf or bagged teas for making genmaicha. If using bags, be sure they have not been stored too long before brewing. If you want to try other types of tea, check out our list of different kinds of tea here.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups hot brewed green tea such as Sencha
- 3/4 cup cold brewed black tea such as Lapsang Souchong
- Honey
How To Do It
To prepare your own genmaicha tea, simply follow these steps:
- Place 2 cups water into a pot over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon sugar for each cup of water. Bring the mixture to boil. Once boiling, remove the pot from the stovetop and add 4 teaspoons of dried camellia sinensis leaves.
- Let them steep for 3 minutes before removing the pot from the burner. Cover the pot with plastic wrap and let sit overnight. In the morning, strain out the leaves using a fine mesh strainer. You should have about 6 ounces of liquid left after straining. If not, repeat step one until there’s enough liquid remaining.
- To serve, pour hot water into a teapot or mug. Enjoy
Where Can I Buy Genmaicha Tea?
There are many places where you can buy genmaicha tea. Some popular retailers include Amazon, Target, Whole Foods Market, Walmart, and Starbucks.
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