What is Genmaicha Tea and What are its Benefits?

Tea is enjoyed by many people on daily basis. It is among the most frequently consumed beverage in the world and is available in various types and flavors.⁽¹⁾ People have their own personal favorite flavors and types and make tea accordingly.

Genmaicha tea is a type of Japanese green tea infusion, which is a blend of bancha green tea and roasted brown rice. It has a protective plant compound that provides with several health benefits.⁽²⁾ It, unlike other green tea, has a nutty and sweet flavor and is yellowish in color.

Bancha is made from leaves of Camellia sinensis, the same plant from which black, oolong, and other green tea are made. Bancha, refers to the time of the year the leaves are harvested.

Sencha is the name given to the green tea that is harvested in the first and second flush of the year and mostly constitutes the upper leaves and buds of the plant. Bancha refers to the leaves harvested in the third and the fourth flush of the year and constitutes the mature leaves.^{(9, 10)}

Genmaicha tea has beneficial polyphenols that help in preventing disease. It consists of lesser caffeine than sencha tea and can be effective for those wanting to reduce their intake of caffeine.⁽²⁾

Most of its research for benefits comes combined with green tea. More individual studies are needed to know about the genmaicha tea individually.

1. Rich in Antioxidants

   Genmaicha tea is rich in polyphenols such as catechins and gallic acid and other antioxidants like carotenoids and ascorbic acid.⁽²⁾ They help in neutralizing reactive molecules in the body that contribute to oxidative cellular damage.

   The polyphenols present in green tea, increase the level of antioxidants including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes that help in keeping reactive oxygen species levels in balance in the body.⁽⁴⁾

   Research stated that green tea has a higher total antioxidant capacity than black tea and vegetables including garlic, kale, spinach, and Brussels sprouts.⁽³⁾

2. Helps in Preventing Cancer

   Drinking green tea including genmaicha tea is shown to inhibit cancer of the skin, lungs, oral cavity, liver, stomach, kidney, and prostate.

   The polyphenols present in it may be helpful in preventing cancer by killing the cancer cells and stopping them from growing.⁽⁵⁾

3. Lowers Blood Pressure

   In Chinese medicine, it is believed that green tea can be helpful in lowering blood pressure levels.

   A study stated that drinking green tea daily for one year significantly helped in reducing the risk of developing hypertension.⁽⁶⁾

   Genmaicha tea is a type of green tea that can have similar effects.

4. Improves Heart Health

   Studies show that drinking one or more cups of green tea including genmaicha tea can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.^{(7, 8)}

   Catechins present in green tea play the role of exerting vascular protective effects through various mechanisms including antioxidative, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-thrombogenic, and lipid-lowering effects.

Genmaicha tea can be prepared by taking one teaspoonful of loose-leaf tea and steeping it in hot water. It can be enjoyed by adding honey to it or even without it. People can drink it in cold or hot form in whatever way they like their green tea. Make sure to read the preparation instructions mentioned in the pack.

Genmaicha tea can be easily purchased online or from some special tea stores.

Genmaicha tea is a Japanese tea infusion that consists of bancha tea and brown rice and is harvested later in the season than sencha tea. It consists of beneficial compounds like catechin that are known to have antioxidant properties and benefits. More research is needed to understand its individual impact on humans. It is prepared in a different way than sencha tea, but one needs to read the instruction to know how to make a perfect cup.