The Quick Sip
Also known as ‘popcorn' tea, this interesting variation of green tea combines Japanese Sencha with roasted and partially puffed rice, providing a pleasing toasty flavour. First concocted years ago by Japanese peasants to make their tea go further, Genmaicha was popularized in more recent times by city dwellers in reverse-chic fashion. It is now enjoyed throughout North America and Europe.

Tea Tales

You may not think it, but this Japanese tea, now very popular both in Japan and in the West, has humble origins. Peasants could not afford regular green tea and used Bancha, a coarser late harvest tea to which they added hulled and roasted rice kernels to make their tea go further. More recently, Genmaicha has gained cachet with their fashionable city cousins even if tastier, more tender Sencha has replaced the less palatable Bancha.