Brown Rice Green Tea – What It Is & What To Buy
Nothing quite beats a lovely cup of tea! These days, many of us are looking for healthy tea options, and you may have come across brown rice green tea at your local store or café.
But what is brown rice green tea, and is it a good choice? Brown rice green tea is made from a careful blend of roasted brown rice and green tea. It has a nuttier and more intense flavor than standard green tea and is packed full of nutritional benefits.
Want to try making brown rice green tea but not sure where to start? We’re here to help with the ultimate guide to this healthy and refreshing tea!
What Is Brown Rice Green Tea?
People have been enjoying green tea for many centuries, but did you know that there are different types of green tea? Brown rice green tea, also called genmaicha, is an alternative form of green tea with many health benefits.
Originating from Japan, genmaicha is made by blending roasted brown rice and green tea together. Not that complicated really, but sometimes the simple things in life are the best!
Genmaicha is also known as “popcorn tea” in Japan, because of the noise the brown rice makes when it is being roasted!
Brown rice green tea was originally thought to have been developed as a cheaper version of green tea. However, the addition of brown rice to green tea had other unexpected benefits, and this drink is now very popular around the world.
Like green tea, genmaicha can be enjoyed hot or can be chilled and served as iced tea.
How Is Brown Rice Green Tea Different From Other Green Teas?
Compared to green tea, genmaicha has a more robust and nuttier flavor. The brown rice kernels are roasted before being added to the tea, giving a deeper and more intense taste.
This perfectly complements the slightly astringent tang of green tea, resulting in a smoother and more balanced drink.
So, if you’re not a fan of green tea, don’t rule out genmaicha. Many people prefer the flavor of this tea, and pick it over standard green tea every time.
What Are The Benefits Of Brown Rice Green Tea?
Brown rice green tea originates from Japan, and the Japanese have been enjoying this refreshing and healthy drink for many years. But as well as tasting great, brown rice green tea also has some impressive health benefits:
Low Caffeine
Genmaicha is relatively low in caffeine, making it more suited for drinking throughout the day. So, to avoid that post-coffee slump in the afternoon, switch to brown rice green tea instead!
High Levels Of Vitamins And Minerals
Brown rice green tea is high in manganese, an essential trace mineral that can aid in stabilizing blood sugar levels and helps maintain healthy nerve functions.
It also contains selenium and is also high in B vitamins and iron.
Relaxation And Concentration
Genmaicha contains GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) and theanine, both of which can help soothe your mind. This means that brown rice green tea can reduce stress, and also promote deep and relaxing sleep.
It can also help you concentrate by decreasing brain activity and promoting calm thoughts.
Cholesterol Regulation
Brown rice green tea is thought to help decrease levels of bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. This may lower the risk of heart disease and strokes.
Balances Blood Sugar
Genmaicha can help to balance blood sugar levels and is a safe tea for diabetics. A cup of brown rice green tea is perfect to fend off cravings for unhealthy, sugary foods.
How To Drink Brown Rice Green Tea
If you want to try genmaicha, don’t panic—you don’t need to start blending rice with your green tea!
Genmaicha manufacturers have already created the perfect blend of roasted rice kernels and green tea, so all you need to do is brew up the perfect cup.
Like most teas, brown rice green tea comes in either loose form or tea bags. Which you choose is entirely down to personal preference, as both can give great results.
To make brown rice green tea, put your tea into a teapot. Alternatively, for individual servings, teabags can be placed directly into a cup or mug.
Pour boiling water over the tea and leave the tea to infuse for 2-3 minutes before serving.
For iced tea, simply allow the brewed tea to cool then pop it into the refrigerator. Serve over ice for a long, refreshing drink.
Where To Buy Brown Rice Green Tea
Brown rice green tea is widely available in most Asian countries but has not yet become as well known in the U.S.
You may be lucky enough to buy brown rice green tea in your local grocery store; however, this might not always be the most flavorsome or best quality product.
If you are looking for a premium tea-drinking experience, your best chance is to try a specialist tea store. Luckily, many of these now also sell online and ship nationwide, perfect for if you don’t have one in your local area.
The 3 Best Brown Rice Green Teas
If you’re baffled by the choice of brown rice green teas available, we’re here to help! Take a look at our top three picks for brown rice green tea:
1. Senbird Organic Roasted Brown Rice Green Tea
Many tea drinkers adore the ritual of brewing loose-leaf tea in their favorite teapot.
If this sounds like you, then we suggest that you try this premium organic brown rice green tea from Senbird.
This delectable blend of roasted rice and green tea deserves to be carefully infused, with all the attention and delicacy of a Japanese tea ceremony.
You will be rewarded with a pure and fragrant brown rice green tea that revitalizes and energizes your day.
2. Dongsuh Food Brown Rice Green Tea
If you are looking for a good value option without the hassle, then this bumper pack of tea bags is a great place to start.
Each individual bag will give you a delicious cup of brown rice green tea, perfectly infused with a light, nutty flavor.
Ideal for drinking throughout the day, these carefully blended teabags will give you a gentle boost without a huge caffeine hit.
A cup of brown rice green tea will keep your mind focussed and help productivity. Not bad for a little teabag!
3. Yamamotoyama Decaf Green Tea With Roasted Brown Rice
Although most brown rice green teas are low in caffeine, some of us prefer to stay away from this stimulant altogether.
Luckily, the team at Yamamotoyama has produced an authentic brown rice green tea that is decaffeinated!
Every bag of this decaf genmaicha has had 99.5% of the caffeine removed, whilst preserving those incredible antioxidants. So you can enjoy the great flavor and benefits of brown rice green tea, without the caffeine kick!
Related Questions
Now that we’ve gone over some of the best brown rice green teas available, let’s take a look at a few related questions on the subject!
Can you make brown rice green tea at home?
If you have a packet of green tea lurking at the back of the pantry shelves, it is relatively easy to transform this into genmaicha!
So, if you’re not a fan of green tea, have a go at roasting some rice to add a nutty and smooth flavor to this astringent hot drink.
Spread a thin layer of brown rice in a non-stick pan. Without adding any water or oil, toast the brown rice over a low heat for around five minutes. Shake the pan frequently to prevent the rice from burning.
Place one teaspoon of the toasted rice in a teapot, along with one teaspoon of green tea. Pour a cupful of boiling water into the pot and allow the tea to infuse for 3 minutes.
Strain the tea into a cup and enjoy!
What can you add to brown rice green tea?
Are you looking for ways to make your brown rice green tea taste more exciting? It can get quite boring drinking the same hot drinks every day, and there are many ways to improve the flavor of brown rice green tea!
Try using natural sweeteners such as honey or a stevia leaf, or even a sprinkling of white or brown sugar.
If the flavor of the tea is too strong, a slice of lemon or a gentle squeeze of lemon juice can make the tea lighter and more refreshing.
Green tea also blends well with herbs and spices, so it is worth trying some of these in your genmaicha.
Fresh or dried ginger slices can add a hint of spiciness, and cinnamon sticks and nutmeg bring a wintery feel to your green tea. For summer freshness, try a few mint leaves in iced brown rice green tea.
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