Flavorful, elegant Japanese green tea blended with lightly roasted brown rice for a savory, nutty and lightly sweet infusion. This is a single-cultivar sencha that was deep-steamed (Fukamushi method).
Amazing, delicate everyday tea.
Tea Region
Tea tree
Cultivar
Harvest
Picking & processing
Nearaicho, Shizuoka, Japan
Camellia sinensis sinensis
Shizu 7132
Autumn, 2023
Leaves, deep-steamed (Fukamushi)
Genmaicha is a humble ode to the simplicity and depth of traditional Japanese tea culture.
Tarui-san, a dedicated tea artisan, has devoted his life to the pursuit of crafting teas that resonate with the natural world. His Genmaicha is a perfect example of this dedication. Sourced from organic tea gardens where the leaves grow in perfect sync with the environment, this tea is a blend of deep-steamed organic sencha, known as fukamushicha, and toasted organic rice. The result is a tea that is both comforting and complex, with a flavor that reflects the balance of the elements.
The story of Tarui-san’s Genmaicha begins with the deep-steamed sencha, a process that brings out the richness and sweetness of the tea leaves, giving them a vibrant green hue and a robust flavor profile. The organic rice, carefully selected and toasted to perfection, adds a warm, nutty aroma that is instantly recognizable. When combined, these two ingredients create a cup of tea that is as soothing as it is invigorating.
As you brew a pot of Tarui-san’s Genmaicha, the toasted rice releases a nostalgic scent reminiscent of warm, home-cooked meals, while the sencha infuses the air with its fresh, grassy notes. The first sip is a journey through layers of flavor: the savory, roasted rice provides a grounding base, while the sweet, vegetal sencha lifts the palate, creating a beautifully balanced tea that is both rich and light.
Rice crackers with seaweed
The crispy texture and umami-rich flavor of seaweed rice crackers complement the roasted rice notes of the Genmaicha, creating a perfect savory pairing.
Miso-glazed grilled eggplant
The savory and slightly sweet miso glaze on grilled eggplant pairs beautifully with the tea’s nutty, toasty flavors, creating a harmonious blend of tastes.
Sesame cookies
The subtle sweetness and crunch of sesame cookies highlight the warm, earthy notes of the Genmaicha, making it a delightful companion to the tea.
Lightly pickled vegetables (Tsukemono)
The refreshing and slightly tangy flavors of tsukemono cut through the tea’s richness, providing a crisp contrast that refreshes the palate with every sip.
Leaf
popcorn, sweet hay, roasted chestnuts
Cup
steamed asparagus, roasted buckwheat, miso soup, sea breeze
Flavor
roasted pear, wheatgrass, soba
Tea weight: 5 gram
Water amount: 180–240 ml.
1st steeping
time 45-60 sec.
temperature 70˚C
2nd steeping
time 10-20 sec.
temperature 80˚C
3rd steeping
Increase time by 30-45 seconds or to the desired strength.
Tea weight: 5 gram
Water amount: 500 ml
Water temperature: cold to room temperature
Steep time: 3 hours
These are broad guidelines, and you can definitely adjust the water amount, temperature, tea amount, and steep time depending on your own personal taste.
Tarui Tea Farm is a family-run operation that’s been around since 1970, tucked away in Nearai, just outside Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture. Now in its second generation, with Takayuki Tarui at the helm, they’re all about growing different tea cultivars organically—a practice started by Takayuki’s dad. The farm officially went organic in 2003, and ever since, they’ve been focused on making high-quality, deep-steamed green tea.
