Rice tea is known for an exotic recipe for making brown rice popcorn. It is blended with delicate green tea leaves of the Bantha variety or the more sophisticated senti. There are two types - Korean (hyeonminokcha) and Japanese (genmaicha) green rice tea. The drink combines a pleasant sweetness with a light aroma and a delicate nutty aftertaste.
History and Origin
There is an interesting legend about the origin of the name genmaicha. The slave who worked on the rice terraces in Mu Kan Chai brewed tea for the master and accidentally dropped some rice into it. The slave was immediately beheaded, but the master tried the drink and was impressed with what happened. For a special, incomparable taste, tea was named by him in honor of the executed worker - Genmaich.
In old Kyoto, in the homeland of Genmaicha, it was considered a drink for poor farmers and urban residents who could not afford expensive mixtures. The constituents make it almost as rich and nutritious as some foods. The monks who fasted, the soldiers with a poor diet and those who could not tolerate solid food while recovering from the disease all turned to inexpensive rice tea. In modern times, a soft, herbal and nutty aroma has won the love of the population of many countries.
What is rice tea?
Genmaicha is made from a mixture of leaves with low bitterness and steamed brown rice. Currently, it is widely known as "tea with popcorn." The slight bitterness and low levels of caffeine make it ideal for supplementing the daily nutrition of children, pregnant women and the elderly. Another ability of rice tea is the achieved effect of relaxation and stress relief. For modern people suffering from insomnia, various emotional disorders that affect the psyche and nervous system, this is a very necessary and useful property of Genmaych.
The color of the drink is not brown, like the rice that it contains, and not green, like tea with a basic content. After immersion in a liquid, the colors combine in a light yellow hue, so some Japanese informally call it “yellow tea”. Many major online retailers sell a combination drink called matcha-iri genmaicha. Its taste is more pronounced than that of ordinary Genmaych, and the color when brewing is closer to green.
What is the use of rice tea
One cup a day can significantly improve your health and contribute to weight loss due to the active elements of rice and tea. Contrary to popular belief, Genmaicha does not cause drowsiness, but it can be drunk at night due to its minimal caffeine content. The product contains a number of antioxidants, as well as ascorbic acid, which are believed to help the immune system. The beneficial substances included in the composition help regulate blood pressure and fight hypertension, prevent obesity, and restore strength.
It was shown that regular use of Genmaych promotes physical relaxation due to the content of theanine. It is important to note that despite the presence of rice, this tea does not contain calories. The drink is good for people who take iron supplements. However, since green tea slightly affects the body's ability to absorb minerals, anyone taking iron supplements should do this about 4 hours before or after drinking any type of green tea, including Genmaich.
Research data
Recently, many studies have been conducted that clearly demonstrate the benefits of even one cup of green tea drunk per day. A group of scientists from Ryukyu University of Japan Medical School discovered that brown rice contains GABA. It positively affects the secretion of insulin by pancreatic cells and can prevent the onset of diabetes.
People who regularly drink green tea are much less likely to get breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer. And the use of one cup per day affects the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, reducing their frequency by 44% compared with those who do not drink tea.
Cooking method
Why not save money by making your own Genmaich tea? It is easy and fun to experiment with different options until you find the exact combination of rice, tea and water that matches your personal taste. To start, fry one cup of brown rice in a saucepan over medium heat, trying to mix the grains for even darkening.
Set rice aside and prepare a cup of hot water at around 85 ° C. Put a tablespoon of fried rice and a teaspoon of green tea leaves in a filter (bag). Submerge it in hot water and leave for 2-3 minutes. Traditionally, it is drunk without the addition of milk or sweeteners, however, you can add a little sugar, honey or lemon to your taste.
Many bars in Japan, the USA and Europe sell a popular cocktail containing vodka and Genmaicha: two flavors that blend perfectly together. Hot rum is another suggestion for creating a unique flavor combination.