The origins of our Genmaicha Iri Matcha Japanese Green Tea

Three of Japan's best-loved ingredients combine in our incredible loose-leaf No. 61 Genmaicha Iri Matcha. A luxury 2021 Great Taste award-winning Japanese green tea that mixes nutty genmai, fresh sencha leaves and smooth matcha, soft-hued green brew is mild and refreshing, with a sweet aftertaste and nutty-grassy notes that feel comforting and wholesome.

In Japan, roasted brown rice mixed with sencha leaves is popularly known as genmaicha ('genmai' means brown rice and 'cha' means tea) and is deeply embedded in the nation's tea culture.

The jade-green leaves of our Genmaicha Iri Matcha are sourced from Ise Bay, Mie Prefecture. Located on the Pacific coast of Honshu, this is one of Japan's most historic tea-growing districts, with a heritage that goes back at least 800 years. Due to Ise's coastal terroir, sencha green teas grown here have a distinctive light vegetal, umami character with fresh grass and seaweed notes. In this tea, these are beautifully balanced by the inclusion of the nutty flavour toasted rice and the intense creamy richness of the ceremonial-grade matcha. Thanks to its low levels of tannins, this tea is super-smooth without any bitterness and is therefore delicious at any time of day.

The health benefits of this specially blended Japanese tea

This authentic Japanese tea packs a nutritional punch. On its own, genmaicha is thought to impart a range of health benefits, thanks to it 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.

Adding an extra healthy tea dimension is matcha powder, which studies have shown high levels of healthy amino acids, including L-theanine. While matcha contains moderate amounts of caffeine, research has shown that it's released more slowly due to its interaction with L-theanine, creating a quieter sense of focus rather than inducing the jolt you might get from, say, a strong cup of coffee.

Matcha also scores highly in the category of plant-derived antioxidants called catechins, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), associated with cancer-fighting properties and a reduction of 'bad' LDL cholesterol.

If you love this tea…

For an authentic Japanese brew that combines the freshness of green tea with the nutty notes of roasted rice, try a caddy of our classic Genmaicha. If you'd like to enjoy two of Japan's most famous tea exports minus the 'genmai' rice, our Sencha Matcha is perfect. Prefer to experience this tea's two premium ingredients on their own? Try our silky-smooth Ceremonial Grade Matcha or our luxurious Supreme Sencha green tea.

For the full range of green teas offered by The Tea Makers of London, please browse our Tea Shop. Still, stuck as to which one is right for you? Check out the Ultimate Guide to Green Tea in our Tea Journal.

This tea offers a roasted grain aroma and bright green infusion. A balanced cup with hazelnut and sweet vegetal notes with wholesome creamy mouthfeel.

Supreme Japanese Genmaicha (Japanese Green Tea, Roasted Rice and Popped Rice Kernels) and Ceremonial Matcha Powder (Shade Grown Japanese Green Tea)