Genmaicha - Organic Matcha Iri

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Genmaicha (roasted brown rice tea) usually consists of two ingredients; genmai (roasted brown rice), and steamed Japanese green tea. With first harvest tea there should be a more delicate umami flavour, and with later harvest tea there will be a less delicate flavour with more astringency. Genmaicha became popular in the olden days when tea was very expensive and rice was very cheap, so poorer people mixed rice in with the tea to make it last longer. Nowadays good quality tea can be sourced for reasonable prices, but the popularity of genmaicha remains. It is particularly comforting during the winter time with a very satisfying aroma of the roasted brown rice.

This genmaicha uses first harvest sencha as well including matcha as a third ingredient (and so is called a matcha iri genmaicha), the combination of these results in a more delicate umami flavour which may benefit from a slightly lower brewing temperature for the first infusion. The addition of matcha not only gives a greener colour, especially for the first infusion, but also brings out a more mellow flavour and provides the health benefits of matcha (vitamins, antioxidants and theanine – which calms our bodies). Both the matcha and the sencha are from the Kyoto prefecture, whereas the genmai are from Nara - one of the most well-known regions for producing genmai - and are cultivated organically unlike most Japanese brown rice. The sencha leaves and matcha are organic too, making for a fully organic matcha iri genmaicha.

You can also pour the hot tea over ice e.g. to enjoy during the summer. For this we would recommend only one infusion at 75°C for 3 minutes, using about 150ml water as some of the ice will melt and dilute it - please experiment though! The reason for suggesting 75°C is with the aim of reducing a harsh astringent aftertaste which will allow us to appreciate the initial sweetness, whether iced or hot.

Please experiment when brewing this tea to find your personal preference. A good starting point is listed below.

Hot brewing guide:
Genmaicha 6 grams
Water 150-180ml
First infusion 75°C for 45sec
Second infusion 90°C for 25sec
Third infusion 90°C for 90sec

To pour over ice:
Genmaicha 8 grams
Water 150ml
One infusion only 75°C for 3mins

Storage:
Store in a cold environment (6-10°C) and avoid exposure to light, air, heat, moisture and strong smells - these will degrade your tea. Best consumed within 2 months from when it is first opened.