Shopping List: Genmai Cha

Genmai Cha, a combination of green tea leaves and hulled, toasted brown rice, is said to have originated in poverty, when Japanese peasants added rice as a filler to stretch the tea supply.

As a savory tea, Genmai Cha makes an excellent accompaniment to food. As the blend steeps with hot water, the roasted rice imparts a toasty and slightly nutty flavor and aroma to the subtle green tea.

The sampling of tea pictured above comes from the Bodum store, which sells a surprisingly large selection of loose teas. In addition to green tea and roasted rice, the blend also contains small, fluffy pieces of popcorn. You don't always see the addition of popcorn, but I look for it because it adds to the toasty flavor and aroma of the tea.

Can't find Genmai Cha? Here's a recipe for making it at home, and Ito En's line of "Tea's Teas" includes a bottled iced tea version. The tea can also be found packaged as tea bags.

Genmai Cha is $5.95 for a 3.5 oz. bag at the Bodum Café and Home Store, 413-415 West 14th Street (212.367.9125), and widely available at tea shops.