Ippodo Genmaicha Tea

This Ippodo genmaicha has a light, delicate flavor with toasted rice notes blending into mild green tea. It's the bancha-based style, so it's gentler and less grassy than other green teas. Reviewers love the pleasant, flavorful aroma and note there's much less bitterness in the aftertaste, making it really easy to drink throughout the day.

Absolutely. The toasted rice gives it a comforting, almost nutty quality that makes it less intimidating than pure green teas. Reviewers specifically mention the reduced bitterness and forgiving flavor profile. Plus, you're getting tea from Ippodo, a premier Kyoto tea house that's been around since 1717—so you're learning what quality Japanese tea should taste like from the start.

You're paying for Ippodo's reputation as one of Kyoto's highest quality tea houses. Multiple reviewers call out the brand specifically as 'premier' quality. That said, some customers do mention the 3.5oz tin is a small quantity for the price, so this is definitely a premium option rather than an everyday budget buy.

It's definitely on the milder side. The flavor is delicate and light, which is great for all-day sipping and for people who find other green teas too intense. However, one reviewer noted it was milder than they personally preferred, and another mentioned the roasted rice flavor seemed weaker than previous batches. If you like bold, assertive tea, this might not satisfy you.

Ippodo includes brewing directions with the tea, and reviewers mention getting the best results when following those instructions. Traditional Japanese tea can be finicky about water temperature and steeping time, so it's worth paying attention to their guidance rather than just dunking a teabag in boiling water.

Yes, that's exactly what it's designed for. Reviewers specifically call it out as 'great for sipping' and perfect for 'everyday drinking.' The light, mild character and low bitterness mean you won't get palate fatigue, even if you're on your third cup of the afternoon.