ORGANIC JAPAN GENMAICHA GREEN TEA

Toasty and jammy notes leap from a cup that is also sprinkled with lightly vegetative green tea notes. Light, golden yellow liquor with a unique, toasty rice flavor tending sweet. A tea that creates conversation.

Ingredients:Green tea*, Roasted* + Popped rice*. *Organic Certified Organic by Pro-Cert Organic Systems (Organic Equivalency with COR, NOP, EU, JAS)

Blended and Packed in: Canada

Tea(s) From: Japan

Region(s): Kagoshima Prefecture

Antioxidant Level: Medium

Caffeine Content: Low

Infusion / Cup Color: Light, golden yellow liquor

GROWING ALTITUDES: 700 – 1500 feet above sea level

Shelf Life: 2 years after opening.

HOT BREWING INSTRUCTIONS: Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea for each 7-9oz / 200-260ml of fluid volume in the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).

Tea History: Genmaicha is one of the world’s most unique teas – just open the bag and you’ll see why. The tea is usually made using Japanese Sencha or Bancha grade teas – ours is a steamed Sencha – and is blended with roasted rice kernels making the tea look as though it has been mixed with popcorn. The flavor of Genmaicha is light, with mild nutty overtones. The tea should be brewed at a slightly higher temperature than most green teas in order to bring out this wonderfully mild flavor. Genmaicha is an excellent palate cleanser and is perfect for drinking with Asian-themed meals. This quality has made it one of the most popular teas in Japan, the country where it originated. It is produced to exacting Japanese standards, as well it is grown organically; no pesticides or chemical fertilizers were used in its production.

Throughout the tea trade legends abound as to how the combination of tea and roasted rice was discovered. The most popular of these centers around the household of a Samurai warlord in the 15th century. After arriving home from battle, the Samurai called for his manservant Genmai to bring him some freshly brewed tea in order that he might refresh himself. Genmai quickly dropped what he was doing, which was taking stock of the house rice supply. In his haste Genmai failed to realize that some rice had found its way into the folds of the sleeves of his robe. As he rushed to prepare the tea, some grains of the rice fell into the tea pot. His Master, filled with an unsatiated bloodlust after a fierce battle, yelled again for his tea. Genmai had no choice but to bring him the pot that had the rice in it. Unfortunately for poor Genmai his Master became furious when he discovered that he was not being served pure tea. Moments later, the manservant’s head was rolling across the floor – Samurai did not mince words.

Killing is thirsty business and the Samurai decided he would drink the tea anyway. Much to his surprise, the tea Genmai had prepared was the most delicious beverage he had ever had. The Samurai dropped to his knees to repent for the killing of his servant and decided that henceforth he would call this new tea Genmaicha, -cha¬ being the Japanese word for tea, in honor of his servant. Fact? Fiction? Brew yourself or your customers a pot of this wonderful tea and let us know what you decide!