Health & Beauty: Genmaicha

The Newsy Neighbour Magazine

February Issue 112

www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Article Provided By: Kathryn Hartwell for The Newsy Neighbour Magazine

This is a new one for you; have you ever heard of “genmaicha”? No? Me neither until the other day. A friend of mine told me about it, as I was one of those lucky people who caught the flu this year. I can truthfully tell you that I don’t think I have ever been that sick in my whole life and it lasted just about two full weeks. She said that “genmaicha” might help me. After a week of being that sick, truthfully, I was just about ready to try anything.

So, you are asking yourself—what the heck is she talking about? Well the word “genmaicha” is a Japanese word that means “brown rice” but what it actually is, is “white roasted rice” and you use it to make tea. You combine organic white, green, oolong or herbal tea with the roasted rice. It is also known as “popcorn tea”. The tea’s flavour is strong and distinctly nutty, and is just as delicious cold as it is hot. Some internet sites say you cannot use any old rice, it must be either mochi rice or Japanese (uruchimai) rice, but others say rice is rice. Who knew there were so many different kinds of rice? The instructions sound quite simple and I must say I have never heard of making tea out of rice!

This is what you do:

Use organic brown/white rice (short or medium grains of rice). 

Spread a thin layer of brown rice into a medium-sized pan. The thin layer will ensure even toasting of the rice grains.

Place the pan onto a stove-top burner and turn the heat to a low to medium setting. Toast the rice until it takes on a dark brown colour and emits a nutty, toasted aroma. Depending upon heat and pan, toasting time can vary, but it generally does not exceed much over five minutes. Do not leave the rice unattended because it can burn quickly.

Cool the rice on a plate when it is done, then place the rice inside of a container for storage.

Determine how much genmaicha you want to brew. One tablespoon of toasted brown rice will produce one strong cup of tea. Experiment with these amounts to suit your preference. Place the desired amount of rice inside of a tea sieve along with the tea leaves of your choice. One teaspoon of tea leaves will produce one cup of tea.

Boil water and pour into tea pot, add your genmaicha tea. However, if you are brewing just one cup, pour the hot water into cup then place the tea sieve into hot water & steep for approximately three minutes.

They say that “Genmaicha Tea” benefits tea drinkers in many ways. It is also a great natural alternative to diet pills and other weight loss programs, which could bring harmful side-effects to the body. According to researchers at the University of Tokushima’s School of Medicine in Japan, drinking Genmaicha Tea on a regular basis can improve a person’s metabolism and boost energy levels. As we all know, having better metabolism is one of the secrets to staying fit because your body can successfully convert its stored fat into energy.
Drinking this tea on a regular basis has a few health benefits. It can help reduce your chances of developing serious medical conditions, including cancer and heart problems, because genmaicha tea is rich in antioxidants that can improve the body’s defenses against diseases. These antioxidants can also improve skin conditions and mental function, as well as strengthen the bones and the teeth. Rice? Really?

On a related website, I also found this information in regards to drinking genmaicha. 

The tea offers an array of antioxidants such as carotenoids and ascorbic acid. If drank on a regular basis, it can help boost your immune system and also helps drain the toxins from your body. Genmaicha with green tea has higher total antioxidants than black tea and even more than some vegetables. Wow! Catechins, a type of natural phenol and antioxidant within the Genmaicha Tea helps fight cancer causing cells and drinking this tea on a regular basis helps lower your risk of developing heart disease. Genmaicha has an active ingredient called theanine, which communicates with your brain and has a soothing relaxation feeling. 

Tasting Notes:

Genmaicha is a traditional Japanese green tea. The lovely vegetal green flavour, indicative of Japan's steaming process, is balanced by the nutty flavour imparted by the roasted rice. The combination becomes an earthy tea that is as soothing to the soul as chicken noodle soup—light smooth with sweet nutty undertones.

My goodness gracious, I don’t know about you but I am always willing to try anything that could benefit my health and, quite frankly, how could drinking a cup or two of tea every day hurt you? Get out the frying pan, I’m on my way to brown a little rice.
To your health!
Kathryn Hartwell

References: fanaledrinks.com, healthybenefits.info and livestrong.com