Characteristics
The fresh, vegetal character of the green tea is balanced with the toasted, nutty flavor of the rice. This tea is naturally sweet and refreshing. During the firing of the rice, it is not uncommon for the rice grains to pop not unlike popcorn, which is why it is often referred to as "popcorn tea." This tea produces a light brownish yellow liquor. Nowadays, genmaicha is a very popular beverage in Japan because of its affordability and distinctive flavor. It is known to cleanse the palate and enhance the flavor of fine food. It is lower in caffeine than other green teas, making it a beverage for anyone at any time of the day.