I steeped this at 190 degrees with 1stp tea and 1 cup water for about one minute. (The recommendation was 1-3 minutes, but after one minute it smelled super toasty even from across the room so I figured I’d better drink it before it got strong enough to knock me over.)
This tea does interestingly include a bit of matcha in the ingredients despite being a genmaicha, which is a great addition as far as I’m concerned. Also, I’ve never had a tea from Australia before (that I know of), so I was quite excited by this opportunity!
Once steeped, the tea was hazy and a bit cloudy, possibly from the dissolved matcha, and had a grassy but very light green color. Even in the fragrance I could definitely find the green-tea-flavor melding with the toasted-rice flavor. The liquid was a little thicker than expected, and as I took my first sip I found that it doesn’t taste quite as toasty as it smells. There was a bit more of the buttery, savory green tea flavor than I’d expected based on the fragrance, especially at the beginning of the sip. However, the overall flavor profile was nicely blended with most of the strength of the nutty, toasty flavor coming more at the end of the sip. This tea was smooth, not bitter at all, and it was somewhat astringent but not too astringent.
So the verdict altogether is that if you like genmaicha, you’ll like this tea, and if you like matcha-flavored cereal, you should try it with milk and sugar. In addition to being delicious it should also be really great for you (unless your doctor has told you not to drink caffeine, of course), since green tea and matcha both have plentiful health benefits. The only downside is that, although you can steep it multiple times, the second steeping isn’t quite the same because the match gets mostly used up in the first steeping.
I really enjoyed drinking this tea and would happily drink lots more of it if given the opportunity.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Blue Hour Tea
Description
Our Genmaicha is a combination of the fresh flavour of green tea with the undertones of roasted rice and the added richness of matcha tea. This premium Genmaicha is grown in the Acheron Valley in Victoria, Australia. There are only a handful of farms growing tea in Australia and this is one of our favourites.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Frosted Carrot Cake Genmaicha from A Quarter To Tea. . . .
I really like carrot cake and I really like carrots in tea. I think they lend a natural sweetness and a bit of a vegetal flair that compliments a lot of blends very nicely. I have had a lot of luck with A Quarter to Tea’s blends lately. I am really in love with this company. They ship fast and they just do a fantastic job with the teas. You can tell a lot of care has been given to the blends and it really shows in the bright and rich flavors.
I only recently found out about genmaicha green tea. It is (usually) sencha green tea along with rice/popped rice. It gives the green tea a starchy and toasted taste. On its own its plain, in my opinion. However, flavored genmaicha is where it’s at. The toasted flavor of the popped rice accents a lot of different flavor combinations really, really well.
I was excited for the frosted carrot cake genmaicha. A little hesitant, though. Some companies tend to over-spice carrot cake blends. Sometimes its just too spicy for me. If you’ve read my other reviews you will know that I really don’t like stuff that’s spicy. Anyways, back to frosted carrot cake. Um, YUM! Yes, yes, I am in love with yet another tea from A Quarter to Tea. I swear I am drinking liquid carrot cake with a vanilla buttercream. The spices are not too strong and do not overpower that sweet and vegetal taste of the carrots, but they actually accent it well along with a subtle cake flavor. Then the flavor of a yummy vanilla frosting comes in at the end. Another win, people.
A Quarter to Tea is rocking this whole “tea blending” thing.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
A cup of well-spiced carrot cake accented with raisins and pineapple for sweetness and a sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Imperial Gyokuro Genmaicha – California Tea House
Good morning everyone. Before I start geeking out over tea I just wanted to say thank you for letting me join the Sororitea Sisters! I look forward to discovering new teas and making friends with you all.
Genmaicha. Once known as the poor mans drink among the Japanese people. A big thank you to the first monks (supposedly) who created this blend. Personally, this is in my top five favorite teas. If you have not yet given genmaicha a try I highly suggest trying some!
A good tea session with genmaicha should start off with a whiff of the dry leaves. It’s amazing how your nose can pick up some qualities in the tea that you may have not even tasted. Not only that but it can be a good indicator as to what other teas have been laying around with it. If you can’t get a good scent from the dry leaves due to cross contamination from other tea then just give the wet leaves a good snuff. Either way what I like to smell is that amazing rice perfume. Like when you are cooking rice and it blossoms everywhere in your house. A very comforting aroma. The sample I have has been a bit contaminated with other tea smells and thus I’m not picking up much but the wet aroma is great. It has that relaxing rice cooked smell to it.
Most people say the smell and the flavor of the tea is nutty and while that may be the best way currently to describe it I really feel it doesn’t quite do it justice. Rice and the toasted rice flavor are something more unique then just nutty. Saying ricey doesn’t quite cut it either. Using a sticky rice is quite a unique idea on their part for this tea. Though I do feel that it makes the rice flavor a bit more subtle. Generally, I prefer a stronger rice flavor but it works well with the grassy essence from this tea. After reading that they used sticky rice I understand now why I thought this genmaicha looked different from others. The rice is bigger and seems to look different after its toasted. I would love to try a cup of this after the rice has been freshly roasted.
Did you know that even though Genmai means brown rice, the rice used in genmaicha is actually white rice that has been roasted?
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: California Tea House
Description
Genmaicha tea is a traditional Japanese green tea. It is believed that the development of Genmaicha was by monks in using rice as a filler to save money. This tradition quickly caught on as the blend of toasted rice and green tea (typically Sencha or Bancha) has a very soothing, pleasant flavor.
Jump forward a few thousand years and you find California Tea House’s gourmet, Imperial Gyokuro Genmaicha. You’ll find our twist on Genmaicha to be an amazing upgrade to this tradition as we spared no expense in creating the finest Genmaicha on the market. Instead of Sencha we use Imperial Gyokuro green tea to provide a very clean, crisp green tea flavor without the bitterness. Also, we use sticky rice as the base of our toasted rice for a slightly sweet and very flavorful, nutty blend. There’s no turning back to old style Genmaicha after you’ve tried this one! Buy our Imperial Gyokuro Genmaicha with our 100% satisfaction guarantee!
Bring your mineral or filtered water to a boil, then let the water settle back down to around 180oF before steeping about 1 heaping teaspoon of tea per cup. Never steep more than 3 or 4 minutes.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Peeps Genmaicha from A Quarter To Tea. . . Take That Tea Name In. . .
That is right. Someone has combined Peeps with tea-or at least the flavor of Peeps with tea.
Peeps seem to split people into two groups, those that love them and those that despise them. I belong to the group that love them. I’ve yet to met a marshmallow product that I don’t adore.
Peeps Genmaicha consists of sprinkles, sencha green tea, popped rice, marshmallow root and a few other natural flavorings. You just have to love the sight of this tea. All of the lovely sprinkles adding a wonderful touch of spring to the blend.
As I steeped (170F water and used my Boreal Wildcraft-the WALL tea infuser) this tea, I sat in awe and enjoyed the delicious aromas that were coming from my cuppa. There was such a wonderful sweetness with a toasted note that I couldn’t get enough of. When the tea was ready, I allowed the tea to cool for a few minutes and greedily gulped the brew down.
Think fluffy toasted marshmallows with a buttery rich finish. That is exactly what this tea tastes like. There is a subtle Peep noticeable flavor but I would honestly compare this tea more to a toasted marshmallow that you would roast over an open flame without any of the campfire smell. You can literally taste the ooey-gooey roasted marshmallow sweetness.
Right along with the marshmallow flavor, there is also this wonderfully addictive vanilla pudding note that is apparent in about every other sip. I find myself craving that flavor and wanting more of it.
Genmaicha has always been on of my favorites and to have that lovely flavor paired with vanilla and marshmallow flavors is just brilliant. I took down 2 oz of this tea in just a few days and will be ordering 4oz of this tea as soon as I can. This is one of those teas that I literally infuse the leaves until they can not give anymore and promptly set myself up with fresh leaves to start all over again. And since I’m using my WALL tea infuser, I just keep adding water so I have a continuous brew waiting for me.
Highly recommend this blend and this will be a repeat buy for me. Here’s to hoping Lauren @A Quarter To Tea will keep this blend in permanent lineup and not just in her spring collection . Peeps Genmaicha is that good.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
A toasted marshmallow delight with roasty genmaicha, marshmallow, and brightly colored sprinkles
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Smooth Roasted Toasted-Genmaicha from California Tea House. . .
The weather is gloomy and my sinus infection is going in full swing! Today calls for a tea that makes you relax and enjoy the moment.
When I first started drinking and experimenting with loose leaf tea, California Tea House was one of the first places I made an order. I can’t remember exactly what I ordered but I can remember being so confused on how to brew each variety and wondering if I would ever learn how to brew loose leaf.
Now 10 years later, I yet again have the opportunity to try their teas. And this time, I do know how to properly steep and enjoy.
California Tea House offers a clear and easy to maneuver site that I just love. If you are looking for a certain tea, it is very easy to locate that variety and see what they have to offer. The pictures are wonderfully laid out and just the overall experience from using their site is great.
Ok, it is time to chat about this tea. Genmaicha teas typically have a smooth buttery feel with a roasted or toasted note. And this offering from California tea House is no different.
A sweet lush buttery smoothness envelopes this tea while there is that welcomed contrast of the toasted note. Well balanced and almost seductive. I love how silky the mouthfeel on this tea is.
A perfect tea to enjoy on this gloomy cloudy day!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: California Tea House
Description
Genmaicha tea is a traditional Japanese green tea. It is believed that the development of Genmaicha was by monks in using rice as a filler to save money. This tradition quickly caught on as the blend of toasted rice and green tea (typically Sencha or Bancha) has a very soothing, pleasant flavor.
Jump forward a few thousand years and you find California Tea House’s gourmet, Imperial Gyokuro Genmaicha. You’ll find our twist on Genmaicha to be an amazing upgrade to this tradition as we spared no expense in creating the finest Genmaicha on the market. Instead of Sencha we use Imperial Gyokuro green tea to provide a very clean, crisp green tea flavor without the bitterness. Also, we use sticky rice as the base of our toasted rice for a slightly sweet and very flavorful, nutty blend. There’s no turning back to old style Genmaicha after you’ve tried this one! Buy our Imperial Gyokuro Genmaicha with our 100% satisfaction guarantee!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!