The origins of our Supreme Japanese Genmaicha teabags

Sourced from Ise Bay in Mie Prefecture, our No. 52 Supreme Genmaicha tea is an award-winning luxury loose leaf made with premium-quality sencha and roasted rice grains. An authentic Japanese loose-leaf tea, it has a mellow character that makes it approachable pre-breakfast or ideal as a soothing afternoon infusion.

Key to the distinctive appeal of this toasty, nutty brew is its underlying grassy sweetness, which comes from the premium-quality Japanese green tea leaves. Harvested from July to August on the Pacific coast of Honshu, the leaves for our Supreme Genmaicha are plucked young from the traditional Yabukita cultivar of Camellia sinensis, then gently hand-rolled and dried. Grains of roasted rice – some of which 'pop' during the roasting process – are then added to the mix, resulting in this eye-catching blend of green, gold and white textures, which brews to a beautifully clear, pale-yellow infusion.

A winner at the Great Taste Awards, this luxury single-origin Sencha should be enjoyed without the addition of milk or sweeteners so you can fully appreciate its mild nuttiness from the roasted brown rice and hints of fresh-cut grass.

What are the health benefits of Genmaicha?

Genmaicha is thought to impart a range of health benefits, thanks to being rich in polyphenols. Derived from green tea, these plant compounds include gallic acid, associated with improved gut health, and flavonoids called catechins, which studies have shown may be linked to good cardiovascular function, weight management and even cancer prevention. Because of their minimal processing, green teas are also higher in other antioxidants such as carotenoids and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) than other teas.

What is Genmaicha Tea?

While genmaicha is relatively new to the Western world, where it's seen as a speciality tea with a complex flavour profile, in Japan this green tea has been consumed for centuries – mostly by the poor and by Buddhist monks during periods of fasting.

Genmaicha means 'brown rice tea'; in the days when green tea was a luxury few could afford, the addition of rice bulked it out and made it affordable for the working classes. The fact that the roasted rice imparted a delicious toasty quality to this distinctive cup of green tea only cemented its popularity – little wonder it became known in Japan as 'the people's tea'.

Great alternatives to this Japanese Green Tea

For the warmth of toasted rice plus the vegetal umami deliciousness of matcha, try our Genmaicha Iri Matcha Japanese tea. If you're looking for a superb green tea with nothing added, Supreme Sencha offers a premium example of the style, while our Sencha is an excellent tea for everyday drinking. Want to enjoy more antioxidant-rich goodness? Try our refreshing Sencha Goji Berry infusion, which has a bright, fruity taste against a classic background of green tea.

For the full range of The Tea Makers of London green teas, see our Tea Shop. Our Classic Green Tea Discovery Collection is a great place to start if you're struggling to choose. Each pack contains five 10g sachets of some of our favourites from China and Japan.

This tea offers a roasted grain aroma and pale yellowish green infusion. A balanced cup with hazelnut and vegetal notes with wholesome and nutty mouthfeel.

Japanese Green Tea, Roasted Rice and Popped Rice Kernels