What Is Brown Rice Green Tea — And Does It Have Any Health Benefits?

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Drinking tea is more than just an afternoon activity — it's a full-on experience. It's soothing, flavorful, and even has potential benefits for your health. But before you head to the kitchen and steep a cup of your favorite, let me introduce you to a variety you're likely less familiar with: genmaicha. This name means "brown rice tea" in Japanese, as the drink combines starch with the beverage. And while genmaicha resembles the clean taste of most green teas, the brown rice infuses it with a toasty flavor. Another pro for genmaicha? Its antioxidant content. Keep reading to learn more about this tea and its nutritional profile, plus get tips for brewing the most flavorful cup.

What is genmaicha?
Genmaicha (pronounced "gen-my-cha") is a type of green tea made by mixing bancha or sencha leaves with toasted brown rice. Before combining with the tea leaves, the rice goes through a five-step process of soaking, steaming, drying, roasting, and cooling. This tea often has a 50:50 ratio of rice to tea leaves, but it can vary based on the manufacturer. During the 1900s, Japan's economic hardship led to vendors adding brown rice to green tea as a way of stretching the staple drink. Today, genmaicha continues to be enjoyed for its earthy, grassy, nutty flavor profile alongside its green-yellow coloring.

Are there any benefits to drinking brown rice green tea?
Current research on genmaicha is limited, so there's not yet any scientific proof of its health benefits. However, regular green tea consumption has been linked to improved brain function and weight loss thanks to its rich antioxidant content. Additionally, brown rice has a lot of fiber, which explains its reported benefits for heart health, weight management, and diabetes risk. Despite the lack of studies on genmaicha specifically, combining these two ingredients will yield a verified nutritious drink.