Genmaicha (called hyeonmi cha in Korean) is a variation of Japanese green tea that incorporates toasted brown rice into the steeping process. The tea's flavor is strong and distinctly nutty, and is just as delicious cold as it is hot.

The term genmaicha collectively means "brown rice tea." Gen can be interpreted as "dark," while mai simply means "rice." In this case, gen can be understood as "unpolished," or "unhulled" since it is placed directly before mai. And cha means "tea."

Steps

  1. 1
    Spread a thin layer of brown rice into a medium sized pan. The thin layer will ensure even toasting of the rice grains.[1]
  2. 2
    Place the pan onto a stovetop burner and turn the heat to a low to medium setting. Toast the rice until it takes on a dark brown color and emits a nutty, toasted aroma. Depending upon heat and pan, toasting time can vary, but it generally does not exceed much over five minutes. Do not leave the rice unattended because it can burn quickly.[2]
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  3. 3
    Cool the rice on a plate when it is done. Then place the rice inside of a container for storage. Toast more rice if desired.[3]
  4. 4
    Determine how much genmaicha you want to brew. One tablespoon of toasted brown rice will produce one strong cup of tea. Experiment with these amounts to suit your preference. Place the desired amount of rice inside of a tea sieve along with green tea leaves. One teaspoon of green tea leaves will produce one cup of tea.
  5. 5
    Heat water in a nonreactive pot to a temperature of about 180 °F (82 °C). Plunge the tea sieve into the water once it is ready. However, if you are brewing just one cup, place the tea sieve into an empty mug and then pour the hot water into the mug. Steep for approximately three minutes.[4]
  6. 6
    Remove tea sieve and place aside. Pour genmaicha into a cup or mug.[5]
  7. 7
    Enjoy.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Do I need to wash rice grains before toasting them?
    SparklyDuckCat
    SparklyDuckCat
    Community Answer
    Definitely. Get rid of natural-living notions that you are washing away precious nutrients when you rinse rice. The amount lost is minimal. Rinsing rice actually rids the grains of surface starches, prevents clumping, and yields a clean, fresh taste.
  • Question
    Can I toast the rice and add it to a jar of green tea leaves to save for many future brews?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes! Roasted rice is also sold in bulk either canned or in bags.
  • Question
    How is tea good for my health?
    SparklyDuckCat
    SparklyDuckCat
    Community Answer
    Tea is healthy for a lot of reasons. It can boost exercise endurance. Scientists have found that the catechins (antioxidants) in green tea extract increase the body's ability to burn fat as fuel, which accounts for improved muscle endurance. Drinking tea could also help reduce the risk of heart attack.
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Warnings

  • Do not use white rice. Brown rice still possesses its bran layers, which is what imparts a rich, nutty flavor.
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  • If the rice grains begin popping (i.e. turning inside out) during the toasting procedure, do not worry. They will still create a wonderful flavor for your genmaicha.
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About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 11 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 167,934 times.
90 votes - 90%
Co-authors: 11
Updated: March 4, 2021
Views: 167,934
Categories: Green Tea
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