If the idea of roasted rice and green tea leaves intrigues you, give genmaicha milk tea a try. This smooth beverage is a popular fusion of Japanese and Taiwanese flavors. Learn how to make this Japanese tea in under 10 minutes with our original genmaicha milk tea recipe!
This straightforward recipe shows you how to make a simple cup of genmaicha milk tea. After you’ve mastered this recipe, make slight changes to the sweetener and milk to see which combination you enjoy most. You can enjoy this drink as an iced or hot tea.
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Genmaicha Milk Tea
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 1 Serving 1x
Description
You’ve tried matcha, jasmine, and green tea- but have you tried genmaicha? This green milk tea is unique thanks to its production process. It has a soothing flavor and is complemented by roasted rice to make a complex, sweet, and enjoyable beverage.
Ingredients
- 1 genmaicha teabag or 1 tsp loose-leaf tea
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup oat milk
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar syrup
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Steep the genmaicha tea bag in boiling water for 2 minutes.
- Pour the tea into a glass and add honey. Wait for it to cool to room temperature, or put it in the fridge.
- Once the drink is cool, pour oat milk and ice cubes into a serving cup with the tea and enjoy!
Notes
Genmaicha tea powder is also an option. Read the instructions to learn how much to add to the liquid. Keep in mind that some tea powders already include milk.
You can substitute oat milk for non-dairy creamer, half and half, or whole or almond milk. Similarly, you can substitute the honey or brown sugar syrup with a sweetener like stevia, white sugar, or maple syrup.
Turn this into hot or cold bubble tea by adding your toppings of choice. Tapioca pearls, sweetened red beans, grass jelly, taro balls, and coconut jelly are a few great options.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
What Does Genmaicha Milk Tea Taste Like?
Genmaicha milk tea has a nutty and slightly toasty flavor. It also has a hint of sweetness from the oat milk and honey. The taste isn’t as bitter as green tea-based beverages, thanks to the inclusion of roasted brown rice, making it perfect for those who don’t like the vegetal flavor of green tea.
Most blends are made from Bancha green tea leaves because they are accessible and affordable. Higher-end teas use Sencha or Gyokuru leaves.
If you are interested in roasted green teas, you might also try hojicha tea from Kyoto. It is roasted over charcoal without the addition of brown rice.
How Much Caffeine Is in Genmaicha Tea?
Genmaicha tea has 20 mg of caffeine, less than a traditional green tea. This makes it a more suitable option for people sensitive to caffeine’s effects.
An average cup of green tea contains approximately 40 mg of caffeine, while a cup of black coffee has about 90 mg of caffeine.
Does Genmaicha Tea Have Any Health Benefits?
Yes, genmaicha is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals that can help to improve your overall health.
Here are some of the potential health benefits of drinking genmaicha milk tea:
- Genmaicha balances blood sugar levels in the body.
- The tea also contains polyphenols that are good for oral health.
- Genmaicha is often mixed with Sencha leaves, which helps boost the body’s immune system.
- Genmaicha tea, just like other teas, have a calming effect.
- Genmaicha contains EGCG, which lowers the risk of heart disease.
Genmaicha Tea vs. Green Tea
There are a few critical differences between genmaicha tea and green tea. Let’s look at the main ones:
| Genmaicha | Green tea |
| Made with polished and roasted brown rice | Unrefined and isn’t made with rice |
| Has a nutty flavor | Has a bitter and grassy flavor |
| Yellowish color | Green color |
| Low caffeine content, great for an afternoon tea | Higher caffeine content, ideal for morning tea |
Who Invented Genmaicha Tea?
The true inventor of Genmaicha tea remains a mystery to this day, as there have been many stories about its origins.
- One of the earliest legends dates back to the early 1400s when a servant of a samurai accidentally poured brown rice that was stuck in his sleeve when serving green tea to his master. The samurai enjoyed the accidental concoction, and as a result, genmaicha was born.
- Another possible origin of genmaicha is from the poor housewives of the same period. They found that sprinkling roasted brown rice into their green tea helped add more flavor to the drink. Considering the high price of tea during those times, this was a great way to cut costs and still have delicious tea.
- Another plausible origin story comes from the early 1900s in the impoverished regions of Japan. During this time, the citizenry would mix tea leaves with roasted brown rice to enjoy the commodity without spending too much money.
With all the various accounts about the origins of genmaicha, it’s impossible to say who invented this tea. But one thing is certain: this tea continues to stand as one of the hallmark additions to Japanese tea culture!