Senbird Premium Genmaicha with Matcha

The key with this genmaicha is keeping your water temperature below 180°F — that's the single most important thing. If you go hotter, it can turn bitter. Use about a tablespoon of loose leaf per cup, steep for 1-2 minutes, and you'll get that beautiful bright green color with a mellow, nutty flavor. The good news is that compared to many green teas, genmaicha is pretty forgiving. Even if your timing isn't perfect, the toasted rice and matcha help keep things balanced.

The number one mistake is using water that's too hot. Reviewers specifically warn that water over 180°F will make this tea bitter — and that's a shame because when brewed correctly, it's one of the least bitter green teas you can find. Use water around 160-175°F for the best results. Another common mistake is only brewing it once. This tea rewards 2-3 infusions, and the flavor actually evolves with each steep — you'll notice different notes of rice, sencha, and matcha coming through at different stages.

Yes, and reviewers say you absolutely should. This tea is great for 2-3 infusions, and the flavor actually evolves with each steep. The first infusion tends to be the most robust with strong toasted rice and matcha notes. The second steep often brings out more of the sencha's vegetal character. It's a nice way to get more value from each serving and experience the complex flavor profile that comes from having three distinct components — sencha, toasted rice, and matcha.

Reviewers are pretty clear on this one — the quality justifies the price. The common refrain is that it 'tastes expensive,' with customers noting the fresh, authentic flavor from Kyoto and the premium airtight tin packaging. Plus, you can get 2-3 infusions per serving, which effectively stretches your cost per cup. Senbird also offers a refill/recycle program at 10% off, which helps with the long-term cost if you make it a regular part of your routine.

You'll definitely catch popcorn-like notes — it's one of the most commonly mentioned flavors in reviews alongside 'nutty' and 'toasted.' The toasted brown rice creates that warm, almost roasted grain aroma that many people associate with popcorn. But it's more complex than that: you'll also pick up earthy, umami, and subtly vegetal notes from the sencha and matcha components. The popcorn character is the first thing that hits you, but there are layers underneath.

This is where genmaicha gets interesting — reviewers mention it pairs surprisingly well with savory foods, including steak and dinner dishes. The nutty, toasted rice flavor and umami notes complement hearty meals rather than competing with them. It also works with desserts thanks to its mellow sweetness. Think of it like a versatile table tea — it won't overpower food but adds a warming, complementary element to the meal.

Surprisingly, yes. Reviewers specifically note that the matcha flavor is masked by the toasted rice, so you get the health benefits and color of matcha without the strong grassy taste that turns some people off. The matcha acts more as a background enhancer — adding creaminess and that vibrant jade-green hue — rather than dominating the cup. If you've tried pure matcha and didn't enjoy it, this blend might change your mind.

This tea is remarkably versatile throughout the day. Reviewers use it for morning routines as a gentler coffee alternative, afternoon enjoyment, and even evening relaxation thanks to its lower caffeine content. It also works well when serving guests because of its approachable, crowd-pleasing flavor. If you're pairing it with food, dinner time is great — the toasted rice and umami notes complement savory dishes beautifully.

They're in completely different categories. Lipton green tea is a mass-market tea bag product designed for convenience and consistency. Senbird's Genmaicha is a premium loose leaf blend from Kyoto with toasted rice and matcha — it's a different experience entirely. Reviewers describe the quality as authentic and fresh, with complex flavors that evolve across multiple infusions. If you're used to Lipton and wondering about upgrading, this is a significant step up in both flavor complexity and quality.

Most reviewers report this tea works well as an evening drink, which tells you the caffeine level is pretty low. Genmaicha naturally has less caffeine than pure sencha or matcha because a good portion of the blend is toasted brown rice, which contains no caffeine. That said, everyone's sensitivity is different — if you're very caffeine-sensitive, you might want to stick to afternoon and earlier. But for most people, this won't interfere with sleep the way coffee or even a standard green tea might.

The tea comes in an airtight tin, which is ideal for storage. Keep it sealed between uses, away from direct sunlight, heat, and strong odors — tea absorbs smells easily. A cool, dry pantry or cupboard is perfect. Avoid the refrigerator, as moisture can degrade the quality. The tin itself is designed for long-term storage, and Senbird's refill program lets you reuse it, which is both practical and environmentally friendly.

Reviewers mention that it works especially well with a traditional Japanese kyusu teapot, which has a built-in strainer perfect for loose leaf tea. But honestly, any teapot with an infuser or even a simple mesh strainer will do the job. The tea is forgiving in its preparation, so you don't need specialized equipment to get great results. A basic mug with a tea infuser basket is perfectly fine for everyday brewing.

Green tea generally has less caffeine than coffee, and genmaicha specifically is on the lower end of green teas because the toasted rice dilutes the tea leaf content. Senbird customers use this as a low-caffeine alternative to coffee and even drink it in the evening. It has enough caffeine for a gentle lift without the jitters, but shouldn't keep most people up at night. If you're caffeine-sensitive, this is one of the gentler options in the green tea world.

Regular green tea (sencha) is pure tea leaves, while genmaicha blends green tea with toasted brown rice — and Senbird's version adds matcha powder on top of that. The practical difference is significant: genmaicha is nuttier, more mellow, less bitter, and lower in caffeine because the rice dilutes the tea leaf content. Reviewers who find plain green tea too bitter often love genmaicha for exactly these reasons. It's essentially green tea with training wheels for beginners, and a cozy comfort tea for experienced drinkers.

Cold brewing is a great option for this tea. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of loose leaf to a pitcher with cold water, refrigerate for 6-8 hours or overnight, and strain. Cold brewing naturally produces a smoother, sweeter flavor with virtually zero bitterness — which complements genmaicha's already mellow, nutty character beautifully. You'll still get that toasted rice and subtle matcha flavor, just in a lighter, more refreshing form that's perfect for warm weather.

Green tea is valued for its antioxidant content, potential cardiovascular support, gentle caffeine for sustained energy, and metabolism-supporting properties. Senbird's Genmaicha specifically adds a few extras: the matcha component means you ingest whole tea leaf powder (more concentrated antioxidants), the lower caffeine makes it a viable coffee replacement without the jitters, and the mellow taste means you can drink it without sugar — something many reviewers highlight as a benefit for their daily routine.

For Senbird's Genmaicha, measure about a tablespoon of loose leaf into a teapot or infuser. Heat water to 160-175°F — if you don't have a thermometer, bring water to a boil and let it cool for about 3-4 minutes. Steep for 1-2 minutes for the first infusion. Reviewers mention it works especially well in a traditional Japanese kyusu teapot, but any infuser will do. Don't toss the leaves after one cup — this tea is great for 2-3 infusions with slightly longer steep times each round.

You can either cold brew it overnight for the smoothest result, or brew it hot and pour over ice. For the hot-to-iced method, brew a concentrated batch using double the normal amount of tea leaves with 175°F water for about 2 minutes, then pour directly over a full glass of ice. The toasted rice and matcha flavors hold up really well iced — you get a refreshing, nutty drink that's naturally good without sweetener.

Many Senbird Genmaicha customers use it as part of their daily routine — morning, afternoon, or even evening since it's relatively low in caffeine. Reviewers confirm it's a good source of antioxidants from both the green tea and matcha components. As a daily tea, genmaicha is a solid choice because it's mellow and easy on the stomach compared to stronger green teas. Just keep in mind that individual health effects vary, so consult your doctor if you have specific concerns.

Many Senbird Genmaicha customers drink it daily as part of their routine — morning, afternoon, and even evening. Reviewers confirm it's a good source of antioxidants, and because it includes matcha powder, you're getting the benefit of consuming whole tea leaves rather than just a brewed infusion. The lower bitterness compared to plain green tea makes it easy to stick with daily without needing sweeteners, which is a health plus in itself.

With loose leaf tea like Senbird's Genmaicha, you're already starting in a good place — loose leaf retains more of the beneficial compounds than tea bags. Brewing at the right temperature (under 180°F) preserves the antioxidants without extracting too many bitter tannins. The matcha component in this blend is a bonus since you're actually consuming the whole tea leaf powder, not just a brewed infusion. For maximum health benefits, drink it without sweeteners and don't overbrew.