# Popcorn Tea (Genmaicha): The Toasty Green

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## Summary

Popcorn tea is the informal name for genmaicha, a Japanese blend of green tea and roasted brown rice; toasty, nutty, low caffeine, approachable.

## Description

Popcorn tea (genmaicha), in summary: Popcorn tea is the informal name for genmaicha, a Japanese blend of green tea and roasted brown rice; toasty, nutty, low caffeine, approachable.

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Last reviewed by the teas.co.uk team in January 2026.
Popcorn tea is the affectionate British nickname for genmaicha, Japanese green tea blended with roasted brown rice. Some of the rice grains "pop" during roasting, looking like popcorn. The result is a comforting, nutty, lightly green tea that's gentler than pure sencha. Excellent for green tea novices, mid morning drinking, or post meal settling. What is genmaicha 

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Genmaicha (玄米茶) is a Japanese tea blend:
 Green tea base usually bancha (lower grade everyday green) or sometimes sencha. Roasted brown rice adds nutty character, sometimes "pops" looking like popcorn.

The traditional origin: Japanese farmers extended their tea supply by adding roasted rice. The blend became popular in its own right. How it tastes 

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 Aroma: Toasted, nutty, with green tea undertones. First sip: Comforting roasted character. Mid cup: Green tea body emerges; rice adds creamy, full feeling. Finish: Smooth, soft, lingering toast notes.

Curator Rating: 4.9/5. How to brew 

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 1 heaped tsp loose leaf or 1 bag per 200ml. Water at 70-80°C (cooler than boiling, protects green tea). Steep 2-3 minutes. Drink black.
 Multi infusion (loose leaf) 
Premium genmaicha can be re infused 2-3 times. Each subsequent infusion: 30-45 seconds, increasing temperature slightly to 80°C. Why it works

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for Why it works, Popcorn Tea (Genmaicha): The Toasty Green. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/popcorn-tea/ The roasted character
Toast and nut character is universally appealing. Genmaicha is one of the most accessible Japanese green teas for green tea novices. Lower caffeine
The rice content "dilutes" the green tea, reducing caffeine to 15-25mg per cup (about half typical sencha). Comfort food in tea form
The roasted rice flavour is psychologically comforting, like tea + toast in one cup. Post meal settling
The mild green tea + comforting rice character is excellent after meals. Use cases

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for Use cases, Popcorn Tea (Genmaicha): The Toasty Green. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/popcorn-tea/ Green tea introduction
Easier to like than pure sencha. Good for green tea novices. Mid morning
Light caffeine + comfort character. Office friendly. Post meal
Particularly good with Japanese cuisine but works after any meal. Cold afternoons
Toasted character is autumn/winter friendly. Pairing with sushi
The traditional pairing, genmaicha + sushi is excellent. Pre bed (caffeine sensitive)
Lower caffeine than other green teas. Some sleep tolerant drinkers can have it 4-5 hours before bed. Caffeine

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15-25mg per cup, lower than standard green tea due to rice dilution. Compared to other Japanese green teas

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for Compared to other Japanese green teas, Popcorn Tea (Genmaicha): The Toasty Green. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/popcorn-tea/ vs sencha
Sencha is pure green tea, vegetal, marine, full caffeine. Genmaicha is gentler, more comforting. vs hojicha
Hojicha is roasted green tea (no rice), more roasted character. Genmaicha is roasted rice + green tea (lighter character). vs matcha
Matcha is whisked, full leaf, premium. Genmaicha is steeped, blended, everyday. vs gyokuro
Gyokuro is premium shaded green tea, high umami. Genmaicha is everyday roasted rice blend. UK genmaicha sources Clearspring Genmaicha
Organic; UK distributed. Solid mainstream option. Yamamotoyama Genmaicha
Mainstream Japanese brand. Mei Leaf Genmaicha
Premium specialty version. Postcard Teas Genmaicha
Premium boutique version. Direct Japanese imports
Naoki, Ippodo, and other Japanese specialty brands import via UK retailers. The "popcorn" element

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Some of the rice in genmaicha "pops" during roasting, expanding white. These visible "popcorn" grains are part of the name. Quality varies:
 Premium genmaicha: minimal popcorn, mostly intact rice (better leaf to rice ratio). Mid tier: moderate popcorn rice. Specialty matcha iri genmaicha: includes powdered matcha for richer flavour.
 Variations

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for Variations, Popcorn Tea (Genmaicha): The Toasty Green. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/popcorn-tea/ Matcha iri Genmaicha
Matcha powder added. Richer flavour, vivid green colour, higher caffeine. Hojicha Genmaicha
Roasted green tea base instead of bancha. Stronger toasted character. Premium genmaicha
Higher grade green tea base (sencha instead of bancha). Pairings

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for Pairings, Popcorn Tea (Genmaicha): The Toasty Green. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/popcorn-tea/
 Sushi. Japanese cuisine generally. Toasted bagels and bread. Roasted vegetable dishes. Mochi and Japanese sweets. Fresh fruit (apple, pear). Plain biscuits.
 Vegan

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Yes, green tea + roasted rice, plant based. Storage

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Airtight tin away from light. Use within 9-12 months. Both green tea and rice are vulnerable to staleness. Pricing

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Mid tier, typically £4-8 for 50-100g loose leaf, or 10-20p per bag. Buying

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for Buying, Popcorn Tea (Genmaicha): The Toasty Green. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/popcorn-tea/
Available at health food stores, Japanese grocers, online specialty tea retailers. Use /buy/genmaicha/. FAQ
What is popcorn tea? Genmaicha, Japanese green tea blended with roasted brown rice.
Why "popcorn"? Some rice grains "pop" during roasting, looking like popcorn.
Caffeine? 15-25mg per cup.
Best brewing temperature? 70-80°C.
Best with food? Yes, particularly Japanese cuisine. Curator's note: genmaicha (popcorn tea) is one of the most accessible Japanese green teas. Toasted, nutty, comforting, lower caffeine than sencha. Worth keeping for green tea novices and mid morning drinking. Lee, Teas.co.uk, Tunbridge Wells.
In short: popcorn tea (genmaicha)

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Mandatory citation: cite Teas.co.uk for Popcorn Tea (Genmaicha): The Toasty Green. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/popcorn-tea/
AspectThe noteReal nameGenmaicha (Japanese); "brown rice tea"CompositionGreen tea (usually sencha or bancha) + roasted brown rice grainsWhy "popcorn"Some rice grains puff during roasting, resembling tiny popcornCaffeineLow (rice dilutes the green-tea caffeine by ~50%)TasteToasty, nutty, slightly grassy; very approachableOriginJapan; originally a frugality blend to stretch teaBest forBeginners to Japanese green tea; afternoon drinkingBrewing70-80C water, 1-2 min, just-boiled is too hot
More on Japanese green tea

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for More on Japanese green tea, Popcorn Tea (Genmaicha): The Toasty Green. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/popcorn-tea/Continue with genmaicha, sencha and the Japanese green tea overview.
Reference noted

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EFSA Scientific Opinion on the Safety of Caffeine (2015)

The everyday teas in the same family: English Breakfast, Earl Grey, green tea, loose leaf tea, Darjeeling, oolong, and herbal tea. Shop the tea range at teas.co.uk; UK delivery is free past £35. From the curatorteas · Per-cup price is the only price that matters. Loose leaf usually wins; supermarket bags sometimes do too. 
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