Japanese Genmai Cha Green Tea
"Pop corn tea"
Genmaicha is a blend of bancha green tea leaves and roasted brown rice. This
tea also has the least amount of natural caffeine in the Japanese green tea
family. Made from tea leaves harvested in the fall, Genmaicha has a unique
appearance and a pleasant roasted flavor that everyone likes. At times the rice
will pop, and how this tea got its kick name of "popcorn tea".
Bancha is the final tea harvest of the year, but by no means is it
less healthy or savory, just slightly milder in taste. The tea leaf is more
coarse in texture and has a green-golden liquor. It is a favourite among
individuals who follow the macrobiotic diet, as it helps keep the body more
alkaline. This tea has the least amount of natural caffeine of the Japanese
green tea family.
Kukicha and Bancha tea are the similar teas. Kukicha is the stem and is
more Yang and Bancha tea is the leaf and is more Yin.
Japanese Bancha tea is the grade of Sencha from an early summer harvest of
only the Japanese green tea leaves with no stem or stock (Sencha is the most
popular type of Japanese Green Tea today). This Japanese green tea has a mixture
of subtle sweetness and fresh green scent. The color is light green. Japanese
Bancha tea has a wide variety in both quality and price.
Legend has it that during the 1400’s an important samurai warlord in Hakone
on the Izu Peninsula of Honshu Island (the Izu Peninsula is near the Shizuoka
area) was having tea in the morning discussing a battle strategy with his patrol
leaders. A servant by the name of Genamai was serving hot tea to the group.
Leaning over to give tea to the warlord, rice that he had surreptitiously taken
for a morning snack fell out of his pocket into the steaming hot tea. Some
popped upon hitting the hot tea.
The warlord was incensed, jumped up brandishing his samurai sword he promptly
cut of Genamai’s head in one fell swoop. He then sat down to continue the
meeting. Despite the fact that the tea had been tarnished he drank it anyway.
The flavor was very unique and he enjoyed it tremendously.
In honor of poor Genamai he pronounced that this rice and tea be served every
morning and be called ‘Genmaicha’ (cha being the name of ‘tea’ in Japanese)
Hot tea brewing method: When preparing by the cup, this tea can be used
repeatedly - about 3 times. The secret is to use water that is about 180’F or
80’C. Place 1 teaspoon in your cup, let the tea steep for about 3 minutes and
then begin enjoying a cup of enchantment - do not remove the leaves from the
cup. Once the water level is low - add more water, and so on and so on - until
the flavor of the tea is exhausted. Look at the pattern of the leaves in the
brew, not only do they foretell your fortune but you can see the tea leaves,
popped rice and toasted kernels. As you contemplate your life - think of poor
Genamai.
Our Premium Tea uses only complete or large portions of the top two leaves in
its green teas. These Green Teas are hand picked as opposed to machine processes
and produce a much smoother and more complex flavor and aroma.
Contents
1.41 oz (40g) / 20 tea bags
Add some variation to your cup of tea
Bancha represents a great value for those who like Japanese green teas. It
has a nice vegetative flavor and no smokiness. Of course, the tea we selected is
a higher quality than others. An option is to do your tea Hojicha style
(roasted Bancha) by putting 2 tbsp. of Bancha into a non-stick pan over medium
heat and roasting about 2 minutes until the leaves smell like nuts. You
can then brew the leaves just like regular Bancha.
Cool Bancha Tea with Lemon and Mint
4 cups of water
1 Tablespoon kukicha twigs
juice of 1 lemon
A few sprigs of fresh mint
Bring water and twigs to a boil. Reduce and simmer for 20 minutes. Add juice
of one lemon plus the lemon rind plus mint. When tea is no longer steaming, it
can be refrigerated until cool.
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