Merkaba Teas, Gen Mai Cha, Green Tea

Origin: Japan.

Bright, delicate Bancha mixed with toasted and popped rice. Light green with delicate barley/pop corn taste. A visual treat like snow in the
springtime. 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.
there is a natural sweetness and almost chewy character to the finish of this tea. during the firing of the rice, it is not uncommon for rice to
‘pop’ not unlike popcorn, hence the pet name ‘popcorn-tea’. This is one of the most popular teas at restaurants in Japan.

The tea was created during a WWII tea shortage in Japan, the enterprising Japanese added husked rice to the tea leaves to extend the life of
their tea supplies, serendipitously creating a classic tea enjoyed by countless people around the world.

Another legend has it that during the 1400’s an important Samurai Warlord in Hakone on the Izu peninsula of Honshu Island (the Izu
Peninsula is near the Shizuoka area) was having tea in the morning discussing a battle strategy with his patrol leaders. A servant by the
name of Genamai was serving hot tea to the group. Leaning over to give tea to the warlord, rice that he had surreptitiously taken for a
morning snack fell out of his pocket into the steaming hot tea. Some popped upon hitting the hot tea. the warlord was incensed, jumped up
brandishing his samurai sword he promptly cut of Genamai’s head in one fell swoop. He then sat down to continue the meeting. Despite the
fact that the tea had been tarnished he drank it anyway. The flavor was very unique and he enjoyed it tremendously. In honor of poor
Genamai he pronounced that this rice and tea be served every morning and be called ‘Genmaicha’ (cha being the name of ‘tea’ in
Japanese).

This Japanese green tea is not only a delight to drink but to see as well. An excellent way to drink green tea!