Sencha spotlight: Benefits of brown rice and tea

玄米茶「Genmaicha」is a popular type of tea that is made by mixing roasted brown rice with sencha. When brewed the tea has a distinct nutty aroma and a gentle flavour profile. Genmaicha is also lower in caffeine as compared to regular sencha.

The genmaicha produced at d:matcha Kyoto is purely made in-house now that we have started the cultivation of brow rice. Here are some key features as to what makes this drink so special!

Key features of brown rice:

• Considered a whole grain because the bran, germ, and endosperm are still intact. Only the hull has been removed. To produce white rice, the grains undergo through a milling process that removes this bran layer.
• The bran layer is also considered the 'outer skin' and is rich in antioxidants, B-vitamins, and fibre.
• Compared to white rice, brown rice has a firmer texture and a deeper earthy flavour.
• Brown rice is often soaked for longer periods of time (24-36 hours) prior to being cooked. This is to breakdown anti-nutrients (e.g. phytic acid) as too much of it may reduce our body's ability to absorb the other minerals.

Benefits of brown rice:

• Rich source of antioxidants, essential minerals, and vitamins
• High fibre and magnesium content. This helps in reducing post-meal blood sugar levels, especially for those who may be diabetic.
• A medium glycemic index (GI) food, which makes it suitable for those with diabetes  

Benefits of genmaicha:

• When drank during meals, the combination of roasted rice and sencha can help in preventing a blood sugar spike or crash, as well as keeping cravings under control.
• Helps to relieve bloating and water retention.
• Contains Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GAMA) and theanine, which is known to motivate the brain into a relaxed state.
• The antioxidant EGCG is also present in genmaicha. 

Last but not least, genmaicha is extremely easy to brew, which makes it a convenient drink if you are pressed for time.  

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Explore d:matcha Kyoto's genmaicha or ochazuke set today.