Genmaicha is a specialty Japanese green tea that is blended with fire-toasted brown rice. Our Genmaicha is a  highgrade sencha and Gyokuro base green tea blended with the toasted brown 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. The Gyokuro green tea gives this tea more complexity and adds the “umami” (a Japanese term for savory taste) to the tea.  

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 Region: Shizuoka Prefecture

Grade: Sencha and Gyokuro Genmaicha

Manufacture Type: Steamed green tea

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

Our classic Gyokuro brews a full-flavored cup of green tea that has a satisfying, light, and refreshing character. It has the signature sweet green flavor with hints of seaweed.

This is one of Japan’s best green teas (made from single buds that are picked only in April/May). In an effort to develop increased chlorophyll (making them dark green) and reduce the tannin (giving a sweeter flavor with no bitterness), the tea is covered with black curtains or bamboo and straw shades for 3 weeks in early spring. The leaves are small - about 3/4 inch long and extremely fragrant and tender. Immediately after plucking the leaves are taken to the factory and steamed for about 30 minutes to seal in the flavor and arrest fermentation. Next they are fluffed with hot air and pressed and dried to 30% moisture content. Repeated rolling takes place until the tea develops long, thin, and dark green needles at which time it is finally dried to a 4-6% moisture content. At this price point, our classic Gyokuro is certainly one of the best on the market.

Country of Origin: Japan    Region: Shizuoka Prefecture

Grade: Gyokuro                   Infusion: Very bright tending green

Manufacture Type: Shade grown and steamed green tea

Kukicha is a traditional green tea from Japan. Our Kukicha is a Sencha and Gyokuro base green tea with both young leaves and stems. It brews a flavorful cup that is nutty and slightly creamy.

The addition of Gyokuro base leaves enhances the Umami (a Japanese term for savory flavor) and add a unique flavor profile to the tea. Kukicha can also be added to juice to make an excellent children's drink. It is a powerful antioxidant and is very low in caffeine. In fact the lowest in caffeine (1/10 of the caffeine level in regular green tea) of all traditional teas.

Country of Origin: Japan

Grade: Kukicha

Manufacture Type: Steamed green tea

Hojicha is a low caffeine roasted green tea from Japan. It brews a toasty and nutty cup of tea that is slightly sweet with a very clean finish. It is also excellent when served as an iced tea. 

There is almost no astringency or bitterness in this tea as a result of the roasting process. Caffeine level is also significantly reduced due to the roasting process. In Japan, because it is a low-caffeine tea, Hojicha is often enjoyed during and after dinner. Hojicha's low caffeine content also makes it a popular tea for children and elderly in Japan.

Country of origin: Japan

Grade: Roasted Bancha (summer crop green tea)