Ujinotsuyu Genmaicha Brown Rice Green Tea

Yes, this is an excellent beginner-friendly tea. It brews quickly at lower temperatures, so you don't need precise equipment to get a good cup. The toasted rice flavor is naturally pleasant and approachable — it doesn't have the grassy intensity that puts some newcomers off of green tea. You can drink it on its own without any additions. Reviewers also note it's ready to drink without a long steeping wait, making it very low-fuss for someone just getting into loose leaf tea.

You can, but most genmaicha drinkers (and reviewers of this tea) suggest drinking it plain. The toasted rice gives it a natural sweetness and savory depth that doesn't really need additions. Honey can overwhelm the delicate toasty notes, and lemon tends to clash with the nutty, grain-forward flavor profile. If you're used to sweetening your tea, try this one straight first — you might be surprised how satisfying it is on its own.

If you want a strong, grassy green tea flavor, this isn't the right pick — the toasted rice is the star here and the green tea takes a back seat. One reviewer felt the rice tasted more burnt than toasted, and found the leaves very dry, though most reviewers disagree. Also, if you like to dress up your tea with honey and lemon, genmaicha's savory character doesn't pair well with those additions. This is best for people who enjoy the toasty, nutty, savory side of tea.

Yes — and this is actually a creative use that tea enthusiasts mention. Because this Ujinotsuyu blend has a higher rice ratio and strong toasted flavor, you can mix it with other genmaicha brands (or even plain green tea) to boost the toasted rice character. It essentially works as a flavor enhancer for lighter blends. Some people also mix it with matcha for a homemade matcha-iri genmaicha.

Yes. Ujinotsuyu is a Japanese tea company, and reviewers specifically note the authentic Japanese origin as a positive. This matters because genmaicha is a traditional Japanese tea style, and Japanese-produced versions tend to use different roasting techniques and tea cultivars than Chinese or Korean alternatives. The freshness that reviewers highlight is also a good sign of quality sourcing and processing.

It's a great choice for guests. Genmaicha's toasty aroma is inviting and almost universally appealing — even people who don't usually drink tea tend to enjoy the warm, nutty smell and approachable flavor. It's not bitter, doesn't need sweetener, and brews quickly so you're not keeping guests waiting. The strong toasted rice aroma also makes it a bit of a conversation starter. Just be aware that dedicated green tea purists might find the rice too dominant.

For this Ujinotsuyu Genmaicha, use water around 175°F (80°C) — not boiling, which can make green tea bitter. Steep the loose leaves for about 1-2 minutes. One of the nice things reviewers note is that this tea brews quickly and doesn't require a long wait time. The toasted rice aroma really comes alive during brewing. If you overshoot the temperature, don't worry too much — the rice component makes genmaicha more forgiving than pure green teas.

Since this Ujinotsuyu Genmaicha comes as loose leaf, you'll want a tea strainer, infuser basket, or a teapot with a built-in filter. Use about 1-2 teaspoons of the leaf-and-rice blend per cup. Heat water to around 175°F, pour over the leaves, and steep for 1-2 minutes. The loose leaf format actually gives you better flavor than bags because the leaves and rice grains have room to expand. You can get a second steep out of the same leaves — the rice flavor will be lighter but still pleasant.

Genmaicha is a Japanese green tea blended with toasted brown rice, and this Ujinotsuyu version is particularly good for daily drinking and cold brewing. The toasted rice gives it a naturally nutty, savory flavor that's satisfying on its own — no sweetener needed. Reviewers love it for its strong toasted rice aroma and pleasant, easy-drinking character. It's also a great entry point if you're new to Japanese green tea, since the rice mellows out any bitterness and it brews quickly at lower temperatures.

The biggest mistake is using boiling water — green tea (including genmaicha) should be brewed around 175°F. The second mistake is over-steeping, which turns green tea bitter and astringent. With this Ujinotsuyu Genmaicha, you have a little more room for error thanks to the toasted rice softening the flavor, but sticking to 1-2 minutes will give you the best balance of toasty rice and clean green tea notes. Another common mistake is using too little leaf — loose leaf tea like this needs enough room and volume to fully unfurl and release flavor.

Keep this tea in an airtight container away from light, heat, and strong odors — the toasted rice component can absorb surrounding smells. Since the twin pack gives you a lot of tea, consider keeping one pack sealed until you finish the first. A tin or opaque airtight jar works well. Properly stored, loose genmaicha stays fresh for several months. Reviewers praise the fresh quality of this tea, so good storage will help maintain that.

Green tea has moderate caffeine — typically 25-50mg per cup, roughly half of what you'd get from coffee. This Ujinotsuyu Genmaicha actually has less caffeine than a pure green tea because a significant portion of the blend is toasted brown rice, which contains no caffeine. That makes it a good choice if you want the gentle alertness of green tea without the jittery edge. Some reviewers note that the flavor strength is moderate, which aligns with its gentler caffeine profile.

Brown rice green tea (Genmaicha) combines the antioxidants of green tea with the toasty, comforting flavor of roasted rice. This Ujinotsuyu version has a notably strong toasted rice flavor — reviewers mention it consistently — which makes it especially good as a savory, warming drink. It's great for cold brewing, daily sipping, and even serving to guests who might find straight green tea too grassy or bitter. The rice component also means it pairs well with savory foods like rice dishes and Japanese cuisine.

Brewing with water just below boiling (around 175°F) and steeping for 1-2 minutes preserves the most beneficial catechins without extracting excess tannins. For this Ujinotsuyu Genmaicha, drink it plain without honey or lemon — reviewers note it has a naturally pleasant, savory flavor that doesn't need additions, and some feel sweeteners actually clash with the toasted rice character. If you want maximum antioxidant extraction, a slightly longer steep (up to 3 minutes) works, but taste will get stronger.

Genmaicha has fewer side effects than most green teas because the toasted rice dilutes the caffeine content. That said, it still contains some caffeine from the green tea base, so if you're very sensitive to caffeine, you may want to limit intake later in the day. Some people with gluten sensitivities wonder about the rice — brown rice is naturally gluten-free, so that's typically not a concern. Overall, Genmaicha is considered one of the gentler green teas on your system.

For most people, a cup of green tea provides a gentle lift without the crash or jitters of coffee. This Ujinotsuyu Genmaicha has even less caffeine than pure green tea since toasted rice makes up a good portion of the blend. It's generally fine to drink in the afternoon without disrupting sleep, though very caffeine-sensitive people might want to stop a few hours before bed. Many daily genmaicha drinkers enjoy it throughout the day without sleep issues.

Green tea is technically a mild stimulant because of its caffeine content, but it also contains L-theanine — an amino acid that promotes calm focus. This combination is what makes green tea feel different from coffee: alert but relaxed. With this Ujinotsuyu Genmaicha, the effect is even mellower because the rice dilutes the caffeine concentration. Reviewers describe it as pleasant and easy-drinking, which tracks with that gentle, balanced stimulation.

You have two options with this Ujinotsuyu Genmaicha. The quick method: brew it hot at double strength (twice the usual amount of leaves, same water), then pour over ice. The toasted rice flavor holds up well when diluted. The better method: cold brew overnight in the fridge — just add loose leaves to cold water and let it sit 4-8 hours. The cold brew method gives you a smoother, sweeter result and is what many reviewers recommend for this particular tea.

Absolutely — Genmaicha is one of the most popular everyday teas in Japan, and this Ujinotsuyu twin pack is actually designed with daily drinking in mind. At over 28 ounces total, you're getting a lot of tea for the price. Genmaicha typically has less caffeine than straight green tea because part of the blend is toasted rice (which has no caffeine), so it's gentle enough for multiple cups a day. Several reviewers specifically mention drinking it as their daily go-to.

Drinking a daily cup of green tea is widely associated with antioxidant benefits and gentle, sustained energy from its moderate caffeine content. With this Ujinotsuyu Genmaicha, you're getting a milder caffeine boost than straight green tea since the blend includes toasted brown rice. Many reviewers drink it daily and appreciate the pleasant, toasty flavor that makes it an easy habit to maintain. It's one of those teas that's genuinely enjoyable enough to look forward to every day.

Research consistently points to daily green tea consumption being beneficial — it's rich in antioxidants, may support heart health, and provides gentle sustained energy. This Ujinotsuyu Genmaicha twin pack gives you over 28 ounces, making it practical and affordable for daily drinking. Reviewers who drink it daily love the consistent toasted rice flavor and note it's a good value compared to rising green tea prices. If you're going to make any tea a daily habit, genmaicha is an approachable, enjoyable choice.

Regular green tea drinkers often report better energy levels, improved digestion, and clearer skin over time. With this Ujinotsuyu Genmaicha specifically, daily drinkers in the reviews praise the consistent quality and strong toasted rice flavor that doesn't get boring cup after cup. The twin pack format (2x 14 oz) means you won't run out quickly, and at its price point, it's cheaper per ounce than many premium alternatives. For a daily habit, that value adds up.

It depends on what you're looking for. For Genmaicha specifically, Ujinotsuyu is a well-regarded Japanese brand that produces authentic teas from Japan's tea-growing regions. Reviewers highlight the fresh quality and strong toasted rice character of this blend. Compared to premium brands like Davidson's, Ujinotsuyu offers a more affordable price per ounce while still delivering an authentic Japanese genmaicha experience. If you want a bold toasted rice flavor over a strong green tea punch, this is an excellent choice.

The top five widely-cited benefits are: antioxidant protection from catechins, gentle sustained energy from the caffeine-L-theanine combination, potential cardiovascular support, metabolism boost, and anti-inflammatory effects. With this Ujinotsuyu Genmaicha, you get all these green tea benefits plus the unique advantage of toasted brown rice — which adds B vitamins and a satisfying savory quality that makes it easy to drink enough to actually experience these benefits consistently.

The most common side effects of green tea come from overconsumption: stomach upset from tannins, caffeine sensitivity symptoms, and potential iron absorption interference if drunk with meals. This Ujinotsuyu Genmaicha is gentler than pure green tea on all fronts — the toasted rice softens the tannin impact and reduces the caffeine per cup. Drinking 2-3 cups a day is generally well-tolerated. Just avoid drinking it on a completely empty stomach if you have a sensitive digestive system.