tea
house
Yamamotoyama Genmaicha Green Tea with Roasted Rice
Uji, Japan
About this product
Genmaicha (brown rice tea) is the everyman's Japanese tea — green tea blended with toasted and popped rice kernels in roughly equal proportions. The resulting brew combines the fresh green character of sencha with the nutty, popcorn sweetness of roasted rice. Historically a frugal tea (the rice extended the more expensive tea), genmaicha has become Japan's most widely consumed household tea. Yamamotoyama's version, with its Uji-adjacent green tea base, is the most accessible and widely available quality genmaicha in BC.
The deductive profile Library
appearanceGold-green liquor; slightly cloudy from the starch released by the toasted rice; popped rice kernels visible in the dry blend
noseInstantly recognisable: popcorn-like roasted rice aroma dominant; light green tea vegetal beneath; faint nuttiness. The smell alone is welcoming
palateLight body; the rice's starch adds slight body to the green tea base; the popcorn-sweet note is dominant; light grass beneath. Naturally lower caffeine than pure green tea. Very food-friendly
finishShort; popcorn and light green; pleasant and undemanding
Service
brewing3g per 200ml at 80-85°C; 1 minute — the roasted rice tolerates higher temperature than delicate green tea alone
bc sourceT&T Supermarket; Asian grocery stores; widely available
service contextHouse tea for casual dining; lunch service; guests who want something Japanese but not too intense
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Open The LibraryThe quality ladder Library
Cultural StapleJapan's most widely consumed household tea; accessible, affordable, honest
IntroductoryIdeal introduction for guests new to Japanese tea; most approachable style
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Open The LibraryTasting profile
Instantly recognisable: popcorn-like roasted rice aroma dominant; light green tea vegetal beneath; faint nuttiness. The smell alone is welcoming
Not yet carried in CA-BC
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Pairings
complement
Japanese breakfast
Genmaicha's toasted rice note resonates perfectly with the starchy warmth of plain Japanese rice. Egg and soy add protein-umami that bridges the tea's green-grain duality.
classic
any
complement
vegetables
Genmaicha beside miso soup: both are comfort staples of the Japanese table; rice in both creates warmth
classic
casual
complement
noodles
Genmaicha is the traditional tea for ochazuke; it can also be served beside the dish rather than in it
classic
casual
complement
pastry
Genmaicha and onigiri is the definitive Japanese convenience food pairing — approachable and authentic
classic
casual
complement
casual
Yamamotoyama Genmaicha's toasted rice bridges the miso soup and grilled onigiri; a Japanese everyday table pairing
classic
casual
complement
casual
Genmaicha's roasted rice notes pair directly with the onigiri rice; both contain roasted rice as a base ingredient
classic
casual
complement
food
Genmaicha's roasted rice and the senbei are the same ingredient toasted; a doubled grain pairing
classic
casual
contrast
cheese
Genmaicha's roasted note and mild cheese's neutral dairy: an approachable East-West pairing for casual settings
adventurous
casual