Genmaicha (roughly, "brown rice tea,") is another example of the diverse and singular nature of Japanese green teas. It is also often known as "the people's tea" and is quite common and popular in Japan. But what is it, and how does it differ from other green teas?
Unlike other teas, which distinguish themselves by their aroma or color, Genmaicha is set apart by its taste, which is quite unlike almost any other tea. It is said that the style originated from poor farmers, who mixed cereals into their tea to make the supply last longer. While the grassy flavors typical of a Japanese green tea are very present on the palate, the crisp taste is relatively free of bitterness and rounded out by notes of corn, rice, and wheat, which derive from the aforementioned grains. The color of genmaicha is a beautiful pale yellow and it is redolent of vegetables.
Genmaicha is similar to Chinese tie-guan-yin (an Oolong) in that it aids digestion, but the real reason to drink it is the pure pleasure and uniqueness of the infusion. It is becoming more common here, and can be had at a number of local tea shops, including Murchies, Sawa, David's Tea and Pekoe Tea Lounge (formerly Steeps). The Matcha Genmaicha subvariety is available at the latter three. Genmaicha is the perfect complement to Japanese food; if you like green tea but want something with a little more character and complexity, try it.
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