Genmaicha Japanese Green Tea

Genmaicha is a variant on sencha, a type of Japanese green tea. Sencha refers to tea leaves that are picked first in the season. As a result the tea has a delicate sweetness and mild astringency. It's also high in vitamin C.

Genmaicha is sencha tea with roasted and popped kernels of brown rice. Ideal after a meal with oily or deep-fried foods.

• Flavor profile: Delicately sweet. Mildly astringent. Slightly nutty.
• Caffeine content: Medium-low

What's green tea?

Green tea differs from black or oolong tea because it's less oxidized. In oxidation tea leaves are exposed to the air to dry and darken. The more oxidized a tea is, the stronger it is. From strongest to lightest are black, oolong, green, and white teas.

Green tea is believed to have various health benefits. A large study in Japan showed a link between daily consumption of green tea and lower risk of death from cardiovascular diseases. Another Japanese study showed that "higher consumption rates of green tea were associated with a reduced risk of stroke." 

Green tea has also been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels, aid in digestion, and decrease inflammation in the skin.