Genmaicha Popcorn Green Tea

Experience the japanese genmaicha popcorn green tea, a tea made by mixing toasted rice with tea leaves. This tea even includes pieces of genmaicha popcorn

Taste

Observing the Appearance

The leaves of the genmaicha popcorn tea are dark and rolled into tight needle shapes and the toasted rice is a brown-orange color. Some of the grains of rice of been popped to form white fluffy “popcorn”

Assessing the Aroma

The aroma coming off the dry leaves of the genmaicha popcorn tea is warm and toasty, like freshly baked bread

Tasting the Tea

The genmaicha popcorn tea begins gently with a hint of acidity that soon transforms into these nutty popcorn flavor profiles. The finish is a balance between the roasted rice and a slight spring grassiness from the tea leaves. The tea is overall very balanced, with the citrusy flavors of the tea leaves slightly overtaking the flavor of the toasted rice.

Evaluating the sensation on the palate

While this genmaicha popcorn is a combination of green tea leaves and toasted rice, the tea leaves seem to dominate both the flavor and the taste sensation, leaving the palate with this pleasant acidity and mild umami flavor.

This genmaicha popcorn tea is 100% Organically grown

At Nio, we take pride in our partnerships with tea farmers who share our commitment to organic and pesticide-free cultivation practices. Through our extensive experience, we have witnessed how this approach not only results in teas with exceptional taste, but also promotes healthier tea fields.

These environmentally-conscious farms act as sanctuaries for local wildlife, fostering a thriving ecosystem. By sourcing teas from these farms, we are dedicated to promoting sustainability, safeguarding the environment, and advocating for a healthier approach to tea farming. We are honored to collaborate with farmers who align with our values and share our vision for a more sustainable and eco-friendly future in tea production.

Nio Teas Unique Organically grown sourcing process

• We take great care in the tasting process to identify the perfect flavor profile for each tea, including the japanese genmaicha popcorn green tea
• We are in constant communication with our tea farmers to understand their cultivation practices and ensure they adhere to pesticide-free and chemical-free methods. 
• We like to make in person visits to the tea fields and production facilities to make sure the tea is being produced with care
• We also like to walk around the tea fields to ensure they are providing a healthy environment for local wildlife to thrive, promoting a balanced and thriving ecosystem.

JAS Tea

As you browse through our selection of tea packs, you may notice the JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standard) logo, which is meticulously regulated by the Japanese government. As part of our partnership with larger tea farms, we hold them to high standards and require them to obtain JAS certification through comprehensive soil testing and sampling, ensuring that our teas meet the highest quality benchmarks.

We also take pride in collaborating with smaller farms that may not have the resources for extensive testing. In these cases, we embrace their teas under the "pesticide-free" label, providing them with opportunities to showcase their exceptional quality teas while maintaining our unwavering commitment to quality.

We are dedicated to promoting transparency and fostering positive partnerships with tea farms of all sizes. Whether large or small, we value and appreciate the unique contributions of each farm, and strive to create mutually beneficial relationships that uphold the highest standards of quality in every pack of tea we offer.

Why it’s important to go for organic genmaicha popcorn tea

After visiting both organic and non-organic tea fields around Japan, we’ve noticed a stark difference between the two. On the tea fields that are treated with high amounts of pesticides and chemicals, we find that nothing is able to grow other than tea plants. There is simply empty rows of tea bushes surrounded by hard black earth.

On the pesticide free tea fields, we notice a thriving ecosystem. Not only are the tea plants able to grow here, but also a diverse array of flora and fauna. Because the earthworms are able to roam freely in the soil, it becomes very loose and the roots of the tea plant are able to penetrate deeper into the ground and absorb more nutrients. This not only creates a healthier, more sustainable environment, but it also enriches the flavor of the tea.

We make sure to only work with farmers that grow their teas without the use of pesticides or chemicals. You can sip this tea with a clear conscience, knowing that it was produced using more sustainable and natural growing methods.

How to prepare the tea

Traditional brewing

For brewing genmaicha popcorn tea, we recommend using a slightly higher temperature and a shorter brewing time. When it comes to genmaicha popcorn, the flavor is released quickly, but the higher temperatures can push through some of the warmer notes of the tea!

1st brew

Step 1: Heat the water up to a temperature of 80°C (175°F), which is the ideal temperature for the genmaicha popcorn tea.

Step 2: Add 5 grams of the genmaicha popcorn to your teapot and pour in 150ml of the heated water.

Step 3: Let the genmaicha popcorn tea brew in the water for 1 minute without disturbing the leaves. This allows the rice and the tea leaves to release a nice warm and nutty flavor and aroma into the water.

Step 4: After the brewing time is up, pour out the brewed genmaicha popcorn from the teapot. The teapot will automatically filter out the leaves and the stems so they don't end up in your cup.

Enjoy your delicious cup of genmaicha popcorn tea!

2nd brew

Don't let your genmaicha popcorn tea go to waste after just one brewing! You can make 2-3 more cups of tea from the same leaves. Just add the same hot water to the teapot a second, third or even fourth time and let the leaves steep for a quick 20 seconds for subsequent infusions. In each brewing, you’ll get a slightly different flavor profile, allowing you to get to know the complexity and versatility of this exquisite tea!

Necessary teaware

To elevate your genmaicha popcorn tea to the next level, we recommend investing in a kyusu teapot for the best possible experience. This traditional clay teapot is designed to allow enough space for the tea leaves to unfurl and release their warm, nutty flavors into the water.

The kyusu also contains a built-in sifter made out of either metal or clay. This automatically filters out the tea leaves as you pour, giving you a smooth and enjoyable tea-drinking experience without any getting any leaves in the tea cup.

Alternative without teaware

If you don’t have a kyusu teapot at home, the next best way to prepare your genmaicha popcorn tea is the tea strainer. This may not get you quite as rich of a flavor as a kyusu teapot, but at least it will keep the tea leaves from getting into your cup! You can always upgrade to a teapot later if you want to improve your cups of tea.

Location of production and farmer

Where is the genmaicha popcorn tea made?

This genmaicha popcorn tea comes from Shizuoka. Shizuoka is the largest tea producing region in Japan and it is responsible for 40% of the total tea produced in the country. Here, at the foot of the beautiful Mt. Fuji, tea is produced on both flat lands as well as mountain tea plantations. With a large, diverse landscape it is no surprise that so many of the tea farmers we work with decide to call this region home.

Who makes the genmaicha popcorn tea?

The Genmaicha popcorn tea is grown by the farmer Mr. Masuda. Mr. Masuda has been working on the same tea field for many years and he is committed to growing green tea without the use of pesticides or chemicals. We are proud to say that we have been working with the Masuda family for the better part of a decade, and during that time he has introduced us to so many incredible teas during that time!

Cultivar and tea plant variety

The genmaicha popcorn is made using the Yabukita cultivar, the most prevalent cultivar in Japan.

Yabukita

Yabukita has emerged as the reigning tea cultivar in Japan, commanding a staggering 75% of the total tea production. Its widespread popularity can be attributed to multiple factors, including its remarkable frost resistance, which makes it well-suited for the colder winters of central Japan. Additionally, Yabukita is known for its distinctive taste profile, characterized by bold savory notes and delightful hints of steamed vegetables, further enhancing its appeal among tea enthusiasts.

FAQ

Shipping: We are happy to offer complimentary shipping on all orders, using the most cost-effective carrier available in your country. Estimated delivery time is typically 5-7 days for customers in the U.S. and E.U., with slightly longer wait times of up to 10 days for customers outside these regions. For those in need of expedited shipping, we also have options available for a nominal fee.

Order Issues: If you encounter any issues with your order, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our customer support team is readily available to assist you via email at info@nioteas.com or through direct messages on Instagram at @nio_japanese_green_tea, ensuring prompt assistance and resolution.

Payments: We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay as convenient payment methods. Additionally, we can accommodate bank transfers upon request during checkout. Once payment is received, we will promptly process and ship your order, ensuring a seamless transaction.

Returns and Refunds: Your satisfaction is our top priority. If you are not completely satisfied with the tea you receive, please inform us and we will be happy to send you a replacement. No need to return the tea; feel free to keep it and share with others. We are committed to providing exceptional customer service and ensuring your Nio tea experience is nothing short of extraordinary.