6 Benefits of Matcha Powder Brown Rice Green Tea (Matcha Genmaicha)

Matcha Genmaicha, which is also sometimes referred to as “Poet’s Tea”, is a type of artisanal Japanese green tea made with a high-quality green tea and roasted puffed brown rice. Our morning matcha morning roast made with ceremonial matcha tea powder and toasted brown rice boasts many benefits and may improve your gut health, making it an excellent choice for your morning beverage.

What is Genmaicha?

Rather than traditional tea, which is typically made from dried tea leaves, genmaicha is a type of tea made from a mixture of green tea and brown rice. Which makes sense as genmaicha actually translates to “brown rice tea” in Japanese.

Genmaicha is commonly made with a single origin sencha green tea. Sencha is a loose leaf green tea that comes from the plant Camellia sinensis (same plant that matcha green tea and black tea come from). Unlike matcha powder, however, sencha is grown in full sunlight before harvest. The leaves are then steamed, pressed and dried. In order to make sencha tea, you steep the tea leaves in hot water.

If you're interested to learn more about different types of tea click here.

Here at matcha.com, we prefer matcha genmaicha. Which is made by coating the puffed brown rice in a premium quality matcha powder, giving you the best of both worlds, for an easy and delicious morning beverage.

What is genmaicha? Check out our matcha genmaicha here.

Genmaicha came about in the 1930’s and has become a widely available and popular tea since though. Although it still seems to be picking up steam here in the United States. The invention story of genmaicha is up for debate, but the most common story is that wartime and post-war, pure green tea leaves were too expensive for the vast majority of people to buy. Mixing green tea leaves with roasted brown rice kernels was an effective way to stretch out your green tea supply. Since then, it has become appreciated for its delicious nutty flavor, lower caffeine content, and many health benefits.

How does a matcha powder and brown rice tea blend taste?

Genmaicha is often described as having a warm, nutty and roasted flavor that is perfectly matched by the subtle grassy notes of green tea. Our matcha morning roast is no different! Most consider it very easy to drink and can be more satiating and satisfying than traditional tea.

Matcha genmaicha has that similar warm, toasted flavor profile with the addition of stronger umami notes from the matcha. It is uniquely full of flavor and is well-tolerated by even the most sensitive tummies. Matcha with toasted brown rice

The 6 surprising health benefits of combining matcha powder and brown rice in the mornings:

1) Acts as a digestive aid

Matcha is especially high in polyphenols and catechins, a group of antioxidants that may be useful in keeping your digestion and gut in check. Having plenty good bacteria in your microbiome is key for healthy digestion. Many studies show that green tea can be useful in modulating the bacteria in your gut- encouraging the good bacteria and limiting the bad kinds.

Studies also show that green tea is a powerful anti-inflammatory, which may be especially useful for anyone dealing with diseases associated with inflammation in the gut, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or IBD (inflammatory Bowel Disease).

Since our morning roast is a mixture of matcha powder and brown rice, it is described as being light and easier to drink than other teas. It is also well-tolerated by most people. Because of the benefits to digestion and the ease of drinking, it makes for a perfect start to your day.

2) Promotes relaxation

Matcha and brown rice contain two important neurotransmitters- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and L-theanine that can have a calming and relaxing effect.

GABA is an amino acid that works as a neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA decreases nervous system activity and can reduce feelings of anxiety, stress, and fear. Good news is that GABA occurs naturally in brown rice!

Benefits of toasted brown rice L-theanine, which is found naturally in green tea and matcha, is an amino acid that has been studied for its calming properties. L-theanine is responsible for the calm, yet alert feeling that matcha is so known for. It’s also thought that L-theanine can help ease stress, anxiety and even help you sleep better.

3) Balances blood sugar levels

Growing research shows that matcha may be useful in regulating blood sugar levels. Recent research has shown that the natural sugars present in green tea may help prevent insulin spikes, which correlates to more stable blood sugar levels.

EGCG, an antioxidant that is present in both Genmaicha and matcha, has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and help the body better utilize insulin. This may in turn lower the risk of developing type II diabetes later on.

Learn more about how matcha may be beneficial for diabetes here.

4) Lowers risk for certain diseases

Both matcha and brown rice are packed with powerful health benefits all which may be useful for improving overall vitality and lowering the risk of certain diseases.

Matcha tea powder has been studied for its positive effect on cholesterol. Regular green tea drinkers have lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and higher HDL (good) cholesterol.

All green tea, including genmaicha, contains a mixture of antioxidants, amino acids, and vitamins and minerals that may be especially good for heart health. In fact, one study showed that men who regularly drank matcha are 11% less likely to develop heart disease! Are matcha and brown good for health? Genmaicha may also be able to boost your immune system and prevent those nasty colds from sticking around.

Several studies also show EGCG, which is present in matcha, can help prevent cell damage and help prevent certain types of cancer.

5) Improves oral health

Matcha naturally contains antibacterial properties and may be useful for killing the bacteria that cause tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. EGCG and other antioxidants present in matcha have been shown in studies to prevent up to 10 different bacterial strains that can lead to tooth decay.

Gingivitis, which is the inflammation of your gums, can be painful and irritating. Drinking genmaicha may be able to help reverse this inflammatory condition by acting as a natural anti-inflammatory and pain-reliever. Does drinking tea affect your teeth? If you grind your teeth then matcha genmaicha could be especially useful for you. The L-theanine in green tea and matcha can help reduce depression, anxiety, and stress, all of which are linked to teeth grinding.

Curios to know how foods can benefit your mental health? Click here.

6) Helps with Weight Loss

Studies show that green tea can help boost metabolism and increase fat burning, which is good news if you’re goal is weight loss! Matcha with brown rice also makes for a wonderful choice compared to calorie-heavy drinks such as sodas or sugary coffee beverages.

In one study, consuming matcha powder increased thermogenesis from about 10 percent to 43 percent. Thermogenesis is the rate at which the body burns calories, so matcha tea powder was able to increase the calories being burned by 33%!

Just keep in mind that there’s no quick fix when it comes to weight loss. Although drinking genmaicha may be one useful tool in addition to diet and exercise. Does matcha support weight loss?

Who is a morning blend of matcha powder and brown rice suitable for?

The combination of matcha and brown rice makes this blend particularly gentle on your digestion and optimal for anyone who has a more sensitive stomach, especially first thing in the morning.

Matcha morning roast is also safe for diabetics and may help improve blood sugar levels.

Due to its lower caffeine content, matcha with brown rice also makes for a great choice for anyone moderating their caffeine intake.

Overall, it’s an easy and delicious tea that is suitable for most people! Matcha genmaicha tea

The bottom line:

Matcha morning roast is a delicious, nutty and unique tea that is perfect for any time of day, but especially in the morning. Matcha genmaicha makes for a wonderful and unique energy boost.

Enjoying a cup of matcha with toasted brown rice is a great way to enjoy many of the amazing health benefits of green tea, but with a lower caffeine content.

So the next time you are looking for something a bit more unique, give our matcha morning roast a try!