Genmaicha Or Brown Rice Tea Recipe
Enjoy this traditional Japanese preparation by adding the delicious flavor of toasted brown rice to green tea!
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time20 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp of brown rice
- 4 cups of water
- honey for taste (optional)
- 4 tsp preferred green tea leaves
Instructions
- To make genmaicha tea, first, in a pan, spread a thin layer of brown rice and allow it to toast evenly.
Ensure that the heat is turned low, as you toast the rice. Keep stirring it, so that the rice evenly toasts. Once the rice takes a dark brown color and begins to give out a nutty, toasted aroma, switch off the stovetop burner. Although the toasting time can differ depending on the pan and the heating time, this should not take more than five minutes. Given that the rice can burn quickly, ensure that you do not leave it unattended.
- When that is done, cool the rice on a plate and place it inside a container for storage. If you want, you can toast the rice some more. That entirely depends on your individual preference.
- It is up to you how much genmaicha tea you want to brew. You can place the desired amount of rice and its equivalent quantity of green tea leaves in a tea sieve. Usually, the ratio of brown rice to green tea leaves is 1:1, which means a tablespoon of toasted brown rice and a teaspoon of green tea leaves is necessary to brew a strong cup of tea. Given, we want four servings of the tea, the ratio has to be 4:4.
- Meanwhile, in a nonreactive pot, heat water up to a temperature of 180 °F. Once ready, insert the tea sieve into the water. Allow it to steep for nearly three minutes. If you want a stronger brew, steep it for a longer duration.
- Once done, remove the tea sieve and keep it aside. Pour the genmaicha tea into a cup and enjoy! You can add a teaspoon of honey or any other sweetener of your choice to enhance its taste.
- You can also have the tea cold. All you'll need to do is allow the brew to cool down and then add ice cubes to it. You can also keep it in the refrigerator once it cools down a little.
Notes
- If you don't want the brown rice grains to darken too quickly, remove the pan from the heat and gently keep swirling the grains in a circular motion. This will also help the rice to cool a little. However, once done return the pan to the heat and complete the toasting process.
- Use chopsticks or a wooden spoon to stir the brown rice grains. This will ensure it to be roasted evenly.
- If you want a stronger cup of genmaicha tea, steep the brown rice grains separately from the green tea leaves for a longer duration. To enable this, bring your tea water to a boil, following which, place the rice inside the pot. Turn off the heat and cover the pot with a lid. Meanwhile, allow this mixture to steep for a few minutes and then add the green tea leaves and let it soak for at least three minutes. Once you are done brewing, strain the resultant tea and serve hot. If this method doesn't work for you, use another tea sieve for the rice.
- Do not use white rice for the preparation of this tea. Brown rice has bran layers, which lends the tea a unique, rich, nutty flavor.
- If you hear the rice grains pop during the toasting process, do not fret. It is only normal for the grains to turn inside out while they are being toasted. This will only further enhance the flavor of the genmaicha tea.