If you're a tea lover looking for a unique and flavorful green tea, we would recommend trying Genmaicha Japanese Green Tea. This traditional Japanese tea is made by combining high-quality green tea leaves with roasted brown rice, resulting in a nutty and aromatic flavor that is both refreshing and satisfying.

Not only does this tea offer a delicious taste, but it also provides health benefits due to its high levels of antioxidants and the natural benefits of green tea. The addition of roasted brown rice adds a nutty flavor and a hint of sweetness to the tea, making it a perfect option for those who prefer a slightly sweeter tea.

The appearance of the tea leaves is unique, with a mix of green tea leaves and small pieces of roasted brown rice, creating a textured and colorful appearance. The aroma is also distinctive, with a nutty and slightly toasty scent.

To brew this tea, simply steep one teaspoon of the tea leaves in eight ounces of hot water at a temperature of 180°F for two to three minutes. The resulting tea has a light golden color and a nutty, toasty flavor with a slight sweetness from the roasted rice.

Overall, Beantean Tea & Spices' Genmaicha Japanese Green Tea is a must-try for tea lovers who enjoy unique and flavorful blends. This tea provides both taste and health benefits, making it a perfect choice for any time of the day. The combination of high-quality green tea and roasted brown rice creates a unique and satisfying taste that is sure to delight the senses. Try it today and experience the delicious flavor of this traditional Japanese tea!

Japan has experienced a long, complex history with the cultivation, production and consumption of tea. Japanese tea, which is the traditional green tea, has been consumed for centuries and is deeply rooted in the culture of Japan. It is an important part of the Japanese culture and is often seen in many different settings, from casual to formal, from highly traditional to modern.

The history of tea has deep roots within Japan, and it is said to have arrived from China in the 8th century, via a diplomatic mission from China to Japan. During the Heian period (794-1192) the cultivation of tea was encouraged by the ruling class, and by the Kamakura period (1185-1333) tea had become a popular beverage amongst people from all levels of society. In the 15th century and onwards, Japan experienced a big boom in the production and consumption of tea, with more recipes and growing methods being shared by tea masters. As the usage and cultivation of tea spread, so did its importance as a ritualistic and social practice.

The process of making tea developed into a highly artistic process, called the sencha ceremony, which is still practised today. This ceremony is still seen today in the traditional Japanese tea house, and involves the preparation of tea for a group of patrons, often accompanied by a light meal and forest bathing. Sencha tea is now an iconic feature of Japanese culture.

The goal of the tea ceremony is to take the knowledge found within the tea, and teach it to the students by upholding the traditional ways of making and guiding the patron through the whole tea process. There are many steps and forms to crafting tea which include the tea ceremony itself, the ordering of tea, understanding the kama (tea pot) and whisk, and, finally, the wiping of the kama. Tea production requires extensive knowledge and skill as artisans must gain experience in taste, color, and aromas so that they can confidently identify the right tea leaves to serve, as well as how to correctly brew the leaves for the best taste.

The Japanese are well known for their Tea culture and art, and tea production and culture have now become an important part of Japan's cultural and economic economy. With so many different types of tea to choose from, each with their own traditions and flavour profile, tea remains a popular—and important—cultural heritage for Japan to preserve and continue.

In conclusion, tea culture has deep roots in Japan, and it continues to be a popular and important tradition in modern times. The process of brewing tea is a highly artistic form of culture and art, with a long established ceremonial tradition. Tea has become not only an important part of Japanese culture, but also a significant part of its economy.

Sources

1. "Cultural Context: The Japanese Tea Ceremony." Tea Tea, Tea-Tea.co.uk, www.tea-tea.co.uk/the-japanese-tea-ceremony

2. Hagar, Robyn. "A Brief History of Japanese Tea." Japanese Green Tea Blog, Best Japanese Green Tea Japan Taste Journal, 10 Mar. 2015, japanesegreentea.net/japanese-tea-history/

3. Inoue, Ayako. "The History of Tea in Japan." Inside Japan Tours, Inside Japan Tours, 24 Apr. 2019, www.insidejapantours.com/blog/history-of-tea-in-japan/

4. "A Short History of Tea in Japan and the Japanese Tea Ceremony." Japan Guide, Japan Guide, 15 Oct. 2019, www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018.html

Green tea has long been a popular beverage of choice for individuals looking to increase their energy levels without the use of artificial stimulants. It is derived from the plant

Camellia sinensis and has a range of potential health benefits with its high antioxidant content, including improved cognitive performance, preferable cardiovascular health, and even potential cancer prevention.

For more than a thousand years, green tea has been consumed as a natural way to increase energy levels.

The caffeine content of green tea is much lower than that of coffee and other energy drinks, making it an attractive alternative for those looking for an energy boost. It contains caffeine, the stimulating compound that works to increase alertness, but in a lower amount. The unique blend of vitamins and minerals found in green tea also helps to improve concentration and focus. This combination of natural compounds work together to provide the body with an energy boost that is long-lasting and sustained.

Apart from caffeine, green tea also contains potent compounds called catechins, flavonols and polyphenols. These nutrients are naturally occurring in the tea leaves, and their health benefits have been extensively studied.

Green tea catechins are believed to aid in fat burning, and polyphenols may help to protect against certain illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease. These compounds work synergistically to provide the body with sustained energy and alertness.

Green tea can be consumed either hot or cold, depending on an individual's taste. For maximum therapeutic benefits, green tea should be brewed correctly - it is best to use freshly boiled water and not to allow the tea to steep for longer than five minutes. Green tea can be enjoyed on its own and added to smoothies.

Green tea has long been celebrated for its numerous health benefits. It is high in healthy compounds and can provide individuals with natural energy. As long as it is prepared correctly and enjoyed in moderation, green tea is an excellent way to enjoy sustained energy without relying on artificial stimulants.

Matcha is a type of green tea powder that has been gaining immense popularity in recent years due to its variety of health benefits. This traditional tea has been consumed in Japan for centuries, but its popularity has seen an uprise in the West. Apart from numerous vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, one of the benefits of matcha are its effects on brain function.

The findings are very promising and suggest that regular consumption of Matcha can improve mental clarity, alertness, and concentration.

First, Matcha contains several compounds that can improve mental focus by increasing dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. A study done by the National Institute of Health found that the natural caffeine in Matcha can also help to boost cognitive performance.

Caffeine helps to increase alertness and focus while calming the mind and preventing stress-induced distraction. The ample antioxidants in Matcha also help to protect the brain against toxic free radicals.

Second, the amount of Matcha consumed can directly impact the degree of improved brain function. Generally, it is recommended to start off with one gram per cup of hot tea or a scoop of Matcha powder. As your body adjusts to terms a higher dosage, you can monitor your body’s reaction and make adjustments accordingly.

Finally, there are long-term benefits to drinking Matcha as well. A study from the American Journal of Nutrition found that regular consumption of Matcha could lead to an improved memory and long-term brain health.

Additionally, the polyphenols in Matcha can help to prevent Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and other age-related degenerative brain illnesses.

In conclusion, there is evidence to support the use of Matcha to improve mental focus, focus, alertness and concentration. The key to gaining maximum benefits is to monitor your body's reaction to Matcha and consume it in moderation. With regular consumption, you can enjoy the long-term benefits of improved brain health.

Kukicha or 茎茶 is a green tea from Japan. Kukicha in Japanese means stem or twig tea. Like it’s name suggests, Kukicha consists of both green tea leaves and young tea stems. 

Pictured above is our Kukicha. Ours is Gyokuro and Sencha base green tea with both young leaves and delicate tea stems. Click “here” to view product.

Because of the addition of delicate tea stems, ​Kukicha has a unique flavor that is nutty and slightly creamy. The Umami level is very high in this tea because of the production method. Umami is a Japanese term for natural savory taste associated with amino acids especially the L-glutamate amino acid. It is used to describe the unique flavor from meats, cheese, vegetables and tea. 

Kukicha is a low caffeine green tea. It has just half the caffeine of what regular green tea has. This makes it a popular afternoon and evening tea.

There are different grades and types of Kukicha. Our version is more sought after by tea drinkers in Japan, because it is Gyokuro and Sencha based. The addition of Gyokuro makes it more flavorful and intensifies the “Umami”. 

For brewing, we recommend using 1 heaping teaspoon of tea leaves per 8 oz. of water at 180°F (80°C). Steeping time is 2-3 minutes. The same leaves can be infused multiple times.

Kukicha also makes refreshing cold brewed tea. For cold brewing instructions please see our Cold Brewing Guide.

Quick View

Kukicha

size:

Select size Sample (5 cups)4 oz. (50 cups)8 oz. (100 cups)

Sample (5 cups) 4 oz. (50 cups) 8 oz. (100 cups)

Quantity:

Add To Cart

Summer is around the corner! Let’s make some refreshing drinks to quench our thirst. 

Here we made a delicious Green Tea Mojito (with Matcha Green Tea). Matcha adds a nice jammy taste and compliments the mints and lime very well. Below please find the recipe for a pitcher size Green Tea Mojito.

Ingredients:  

• 1 tablespoon Matcha Green Tea. 
• half cup white sugar. 
• 2 handfuls fresh mint, or to taste.
• 3-4 limes. 
• 1 cup rum. If you prefer alcohol free, use coconut water instead.  
• 36 oz. club soda.

Direction:

• Put sugar and fresh mint into a pitcher. Muddle them until the mint leaves are broken down.
• Quarter the limes and squeeze lime juice into pitcher. After being squeezed, add the lime pieces in pitcher and muddle them for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Add Matcha Green Tea into pitcher. 
• Pour and stir rum into the mixture.
• Add ice. 
• Add club soda and stir until Matcha and sugar are well dissolved.

Enjoy!

Matcha latte make using our Matcha Green. Click “here” to view product. 

Matcha latte is fairly easy to make. Below are some basic steps to a nice cafe quality Matcha latte.

Steps:

1. Put about 1/2 teaspoonmatcha in a mug or glass
2. Add sweetener to taste
3. Heat or steam the Milk or Soy Milk
4. Add milk slowly while whisking/stirring the tea at the same time.
5. Can also add whip cream on top and sprinkle some chocolate powder.

Enjoy!! 

Hojicha is a charcoal roasted Japanese charcoal roasted green tea.  The tea base for Hojicha is a summer harvested green tea called Bancha. 

 View Tea

Bancha is tea that contains both tea leaves and tea twigs. After the roasting process, the leaves and twigs turn brown and gives off a nice toasty aroma. 

When brewed, Hojicha makes a nutty cup of tea that is slightly sweet with a very clean finish. It is also excellent when served as an iced tea. 

The roasting process takes the vegetal/grassy edge off the green leaves and reduces the caffeine to a minimal level. The low caffeine content makes Hojicha a popular evening tea in Japan. For the same reason, it is also the tea of choice for children and elderly in Japan.

 View Details

Want a delicious and healthy breakfast to start your day? This nutrient packed Matcha green tea and oatmeal breakfast should get you charged up for the day.

Pictured above is a freshly made Matcha Oatmeal with almond milk, pine nuts, almond pieces and sweet red beans.  It is delicious, packed full of nutrients and energizing.

It is very easy to prepare. First, make an oatmeal like you normally would. We put in almond milk just because we like how it tastes. Alternatively, you can use regular milk, coconut milk  or rice milk.

Second, whisk 1 teaspoon of Matcha with 1-2 ounces of water to make a thick/dense matcha green tea and add it to the oatmeal. 

Finally, put some nuts, and/or fruits according to your preference. We like to use pine nuts , cut up almonds and sweet red beans.

Enjoy! 

​Jasmine Green Tea is a classic full bodied green tea from China. It also makes excellent iced tea.

 

Click “Here” to view product.

This is a very pleasant 1st grade Jasmine Green tea with surprising body and a captivating floral taste. It has all the flavor, aroma and good green tea qualities but not the exorbitant price.

A high altitude grown crisp green tea with depths and classic green tea characters. 

Green Curls make a perfect afternoon tea.  

Green Curls are grown in the mountainous area of Fujian province. The leaves are tigltly rolled and green in appearance. The cup is crisp and complex with little to no vegetal grassiness. It is slightly smokey and pleasantly refreshing. Excellent both hot and iced. 

If you would like more information, click “here” to visit the product page  

So what is Tencha? Tencha is a unique kind of green tea from Japan. It is a green tea of the Gyokuro variety. In the past, it was used almost solely as a the base for Matcha. In short, Matcha is a finely ground version of Tencha.

Since Tencha is a Gyokuro variety, some would wonder what the differences are between Tencha and the famouse Gyokuro.

Firstly, it is harvested a little differently than Gyokuro. tencha leaves plucking is “three leaves and a bud”, while the Gyokuro plucking is “two leaves and a bud” on a tea branch. In layman’s term, when compared, the Tencha making calls for leaves that are slightly older. This is necessary, because Tencha needs to have a fuller flavor in order to produce a good Matcha. 

Secondly, Tencha is flat, while the Gyokuro is rolled to needle like shape after the steaming processe. The reason for Tencha leaves being flat is that staying flat makes it easier to strip of the stems and veins. Stems and veins will bring bitterness and undesired flavor to Matcha. 

So who does it taste? The taste profile of Tencha is similar to Gyokuro. However, because the leaves are little bit older and stems are striped, Tencha has a fuller body and taste sweeter.

Availabilty of Tencha is more limited due to the fact that it is produced mainly for Matcha production.  

If you are a fan of Japanese teas such as Gyokuro, Sencha and Matcha, you should definitely give Tencha a try.

50/50 blend of Japanese Hojicha and Kukicha

Hojicha is a classic roasted green tea from Japan. It is low in caffeine and has a clean toasty and slightly sweet taste.  

Kukicha is also a traditional green tea from Japan. It is uniquely flavorful. It brews a light cup of tea that is nutty with a  slightly creamy finish. It is very rich in antioxidants and low in caffeine as well. 

We made this blend at the request of a customer. And since we love both teas, we thought we should at keep some for ourselves. When we first tried it, we were surprised at how good and different it tasted. We loved it so much that we decided to add this blend to our roster. It should become available very soon.

So what does the blend of Hojicha and Kukicha taste like? It is very crisp, toasty and slightly sweet. Notes of honey and walnuts are very noticeable. It does not taste astringent at all. This blend is perfect for cold brewing, because of its taste profile.  

If you are a fan of Japanese green tea you should definitely give it a try. 

Cheers! 

We have just blended a new batch of Moroccan Mint Tea. The quality of the ingredients we use is apparent by looking at it. We use first grade gunpowder green tea and chunmee green tea as the tea base and blend them with US grown peppermint. Not only does it contain a lot of antioxidants, it also helps with digestion and provides energy. 

Cheers! 

Click to here to view product. 

Moroccan Mint Tea is a blended Green Tea. Our Moroccan Mint is blended with the classic quality ingredients.​ We use the full body Chinese green teas as its base and blended them with top quality peppermint. 

The brewed cup is minty, refreshing and emergizing. Excellent both hot and iced. It can be enjoyed as is or with a dash of sugar.

For more information, please click here to visit the product page. 

What are the differences between Green and Black teas?

This is a 2 parts question. First is how are Green and Black teas compared to each other from a production stand point? Second is what and how are they different as end products? Now lets expend on them and discuss further.

Firstly, lets take a look at how Green and Black teas are produced. Green and Black teas are both produced from the same plant which is called Camellia Sinensis. The sub cultivars of each tea maybe different, but they all belong to the Camellia Sinensis family.

The oxidation process is what sets Green and Black teas apart. Green tea is very lightly oxidized (less than 1%-15%), where as Black tea is fully oxidized. The oxidation is a process which the chlorophyll in the tea leaves is enzymatically broken down. Tannins are also released during the oxidation. This oxidation process is often times referred to as "fermentation" in the tea industry.

Green and Black teas got their name from the colors of the produced tea leaves. Because most of the chlorophyll is preserved, Green tea still retain the green appearance of the plant. Black tea appear black because the chlorophyll is broken down.

Quick View

Ceylon Kenilworth

Secondly, lets look at the differences between them as final products. Although both types of tea are rich in antioxidants, Green tea is richer in antioxidants than Black tea due to a lower oxidation level.

Studies have found that Both Green and Black tea may help boosting our energy and keeping us alert. Black tea has more caffeine than Green tea. 1 g of black tea has 22 to 28 mg of caffeine, while 1 g of green tea has 11to 20 mg of caffeine. The energizing effect is why Black tea is a stable breakfast drink in many parts of the world.

Some long term studies have shown that Black tea is beneficial to our cardiovascular system. This means regular and long term consumption may help in maintaining a healthier heart.

For Green tea, researches show that the catechins and other nutrients in Green tea may help lowering the blood sugars. Drinking 2 to 3 cups of Green tea is also believe to be very beneficial in weight control.

The conclusion

In conclusion, both Green and Black tea are healthy and can be very beneficial to our health. However, in order to reap the benefits of tea, we need to establish a habit of consuming 2-3 cups of tea a day every day. So the key here is to find the teas that we love to enjoy. Because if we enjoy the experience of drinking tea, it is then very naturalto establish a long term and consistent consumption of this healthy beverage.

So if you are already a regular tea drinker, stick to your favorite teas. If you are new to tea, try different types of teas and find some that you love to enjoy! Cheers

Genmaicha is a specialty Japanese green tea that is blended with fire-toasted rice. A good grade Japanese sencha is blended with the toasted rice. The fresh vegetative character of the green tea is imparted on the cup but it is tempered with the bakey-like character of the rice. There is a natural sweetness and almost chewy character to the finish of this tea. During the firing of the rice, it is common for rice to ‘pop’ like popcorn, hence the name "popcorn-tea"

Country of Origin: Japan

Grade: Sencha Genmaicha

Manufacture Type: Steamed green tea

Cup Characteristics: Light brownish yellow liquor with toasty flavor, tending sweet.

Matcha is rich in antioxidants, fiber, amino acids, vitamins, carotenes and many other nutrients. It is delicious and nutritious. Add this superfood to your diet and enjoy all the great benefits. Matcha is  very versatile and easy to use. Whisk it up for enjoyment, mix it with drinks, smoothies, or shakes. Cook with it, baking with it, and just be creative with this wonderful ingridient. 

Senchamint steeped after 3 minutes

Available now. This blend is a mixture of Japanese Sencha and Peppermint. We call it Sencha Mint. The brewed tea is crisp, slightly astringent and floral. When compared to Moroccan Mint, it is more subtle and doesn't require any sweetener. And of course, it makes excellent iced tea. Cheers!

Matcha is not only an energy booster. It is also packed with nutrients such as antioxidants, amino acids, dietary fiber, carotene, and vitamins. Adding Matcha to your favorite smoothie is a delicious and easy way to introduce this superfood into our diet.

Our favorite smoothie is Banana Matcha smoothie. The recipe is very simple. It takes less than 5 minutes to make. It calls for a few basic ingredients. We use 2 bananas, 1 teaspoon of Matcha, half an orange, and half an avocado. Milk or yogurt is optional. Additionally, we can also add other fruits and veggies such berries, mango, celery, and so on. 

We also posted a video on the Banana Matcha Smoothie below. Enjoy!