Yamamotoyama Matcha Genmai Cha

This tea brings together roasted rice and matcha green tea for a smooth, mellow flavor that's surprisingly balanced. You'll get that nutty, toasted rice taste up front, followed by the grassy, umami notes from the matcha. Many drinkers mention it's not bitter at all when served hot, and there's even a slight natural sweetness that makes it really approachable. Think of it as the comfort food version of green tea—familiar and easy-drinking, but with that authentic Japanese character.

Absolutely. This is actually one of the friendlier entry points into Japanese green tea. The roasted rice mellows out the matcha, so you're not jumping straight into the deep, grassy intensity of pure matcha. Reviewers specifically call out how forgiving it is to brew—you can make it hot without worry, and the flavor stays smooth and mellow. Plus, the slight sweetness and umami notes give you a taste of what makes Japanese green tea special without overwhelming your palate.

It's basically a bulk buy situation, and reviewers love it for the value. If you're drinking genmaicha regularly, this size means you're set for months without constantly reordering. The generous amount of matcha mixed in is a nice bonus at this price point. Just keep in mind that because it's a bulk package, the leaves tend to be more broken up compared to smaller, premium packages. But for daily drinking? The value-to-quality ratio is excellent.

Definitely stick to hot with this one. Multiple reviewers noticed that when the tea cools down, it starts to develop bitterness that wasn't there when it was freshly brewed and hot. The smooth, mellow character really shines when you drink it warm. If you're looking for an iced genmaicha, you might want to explore other options—this one is optimized for that cozy, hot cup experience.

You can try, but don't expect the same experience. One reviewer mentioned that the second brew doesn't taste as good and the color turns brown instead of staying that vibrant green. With genmaicha, the roasted rice and matcha tend to give their best on the first steep. For the best flavor, treat each serving as a single-steep experience and use fresh leaves each time.

This is the real deal—authentic Japanese genmaicha from Yamamotoyama, a respected Japanese tea company. Long-term green tea drinkers specifically appreciate the umami flavor profile, which is a hallmark of quality Japanese tea. The generous matcha content and that characteristic roasted rice element are exactly what you'd expect from traditional genmaicha. It's not some watered-down Western interpretation; it's got that genuine Japanese tea character.