Genmaicha is just about the only straight green tea I’ll willingly drink, so I’ve been taking the opportunity to get different Genmaicha teas. Currently, I have the version from McQuarrie’s Tea & Coffee Merchants, this one and Genmai Hojicha from DAVIDsTEA, Marshmallow Treat Genmaicha from 52Teas, and will be receiving the Butiki take from a swap. To me that seems like a fair bit of Genmaicha to get through, so I thought I’d start tonight.
The only other Genmaicha I’ve tried that wasn’t from a restaurant was McQuarrie’s version, and comparatively the leaf in this one seems to have a more equal ratio of brown rice to green tea leaves than the McQuarrie’s version did. McQuarrie’s version seemed to have more leaf and less brown rice. As far as the smell of the leaf goes, this is just a touch less seaweedy in smell – so already this is loing fairly promising.
For preparation, I’m using 1 tsp. of leaf in 8 oz. of water that’s roughly 70 degrees celsius. I left it to steep for three minutes. The smell of the steeped liquor is very toasty, and a nice pale yellow.
As far as the taste goes, I get little green tea (which is nice) and lots of toasted rice! I’m heavily reminded of straight puffed wheat. It’s a very nice, comforting cup. No bitterness, either. It’s been awhile since I had my McQuarrie’s blend, but just going on memory I think this is just a touch better? Both are readily available to me, but the McQuarrie’s blend is cheaper. Hmm, I think I’ll need to have the McQuarrie’s blend later tonight or some time tomorrow so I can do a more accurate comparison.
Also, I’m fangirling so much right now! I’m watching Doctor Who and Andrew Garfield is in this episode! Eiiii! I love him so much!!! :D
EDIT: Resteeped the leaf right away – I just needed another cup of toasty goodness. The second steep was ok, but significantly greener in taste. If memory serves, I think I prefer the second steep of McQuarrie’s version to the second steep of the DAVIDsTEA version. Hmmm…
EDIT: Ooohhhh :( Well, that didn’t last long. Poor, sweet, cutie pie Andrew Garfield’s character Frank with the lovely Texas accent just died…
EDIT: Urghhhh… This episode is an emotional roller coaster. Turns out the pig things hadn’t killed beloved Andrew yet! Eeeiii! More Andrew Garfield <3