Genmaicha with Matcha

Pretty sure I bought my fancy tin of this at the PDX Tea Fest with Sara in 2018. I tried cold brewing it, and mmm, it’s crisp and clean and… almost sweet, I’d say. The roasted brown rice flavor is definitely there, and I can smell it too. There’s a hint of the matcha flavor, but it’s not as strong as the roasted rice. Very nice genmaicha, would buy again!

Sampler September! This is the last of the Jugetsudo teabag samples in my PDX fundraiser bag… only two samplers from that bag left to go! (I’m shocked with myself that something I ordered in July is going to be sipped down by September, considering the fact I’m still plowing through what feels like a thousand teas all purchases back in 2018…)

This teabag had very fine green leaf as well that looked similar to that from their Sencha teabag. It was a bit light on genmai, and I’m not sure if that is intention of the blend or luck of the teabag. The matcha dusting was obvious.

My own preference for genmaicha is a bancha base, not too scant and not too heavy on the genmai, and without matcha, but genmaicha is genmaicha and this is a pleasant and relaxing cup. Despite the low amount of genmai I saw in the leaf, there is a very nice toasted rice flavor to the tea. The matcha, too, is light enough to not overpower the cup with marine umami, and I’m getting a fresh, grassy flavor with a hint of vegetal peas. The tea has a nice greenish sheen to the liquer color from the matcha. There is a sweetness right at the end of the sip which is very pleasant. It’s a fine morning cup.