What Is Genmai Cha with Matcha, and How To Brew It

Genmai cha is roasted/toasted brown rice kernels and bancha green tea. The bancha has a less refined flavor than some of the more exotic Japanese green teas and mixes well with the nutty, aromatic qualities of the cooked rice.

In the rice cooking process, some kernels pop, leading to the nickname "popcorn tea" used by nobody I know personally but seen in marketing propaganda.

The matcha green tea powder adds more essential green tea characteristics to balance out the rice notes, which some people don't like as much in traditional genmai.

It's inexpensive, easy to brew, forgiving of mistakes in the brewing process in comparison with some other, more esoteric Japanese green teas.

Brew at 175° F in 6-8 oz. of water for a minute and a half, up to 2 minutes in a pre-heated kyuusu (or kyusu, if you prefer) with the lid off.