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‍Genmaicha tea, also known as popcorn tea, is a type of green tea that is blended with popped brown rice kernels. As a green tea, Genmaicha is a true tea — like black tea, oolong tea, white tea, and pu-erh tea — meaning it's made from the leaves of the tea plant known as Camellia sinensis.

It's a Japanese green tea that boasts a toasted flavor with a rich and creamy body. The roasted rice kernels offer a nutty flavor that is delicately balanced with the vegetal notes of green tea leaves. It has a distinctive crisp flavor and the roasted rice also helps to balance out notoriously bitter green tea notes.

Aside from its delightful flavor profile, this tea may also be beneficial for human health. Read on to find out more about Genmaicha tea benefits.

Looking for delicious nutty and roasted flavors in your next cup of green tea? Check out our Organic Genmaicha Green Tea right here.

Health Benefits of Genmaicha Tea

Antioxidants

Genmaicha —like other green teas including bancha, sencha, gyokuro, and matcha —contains large amounts of antioxidants. These include polyphenols, catechins, and flavonoids that create the stunning flavor of the green tea and also provide extensive health benefits. Research shows that antioxidants in green tea may help to prevent a breakdown of cells known as oxidative stress (1).

This cellular damage is often the result of free radicals, which can be caused by everything from pollution alcohol, smoking, and eating large amounts of fried foods (2). By drinking green tea, you may be able to support cellular health thanks to the presence of antioxidants. These antioxidants may also help support the immune system.

Weight Loss

Drinking green tea may help to accelerate weight loss goals when used in combination with regular exercise and a healthy diet. Research shows that green tea may increase thermogenesis, encouraging the body to burn fat stores (3). However, additional research shows that this benefit may be more noticeable in certain ethnicities (4).

Either way, drinking green tea may help you cut down on calories without sacrificing flavor. If plain old water sounds too boring, grab a cup of hot or iced green tea instead of reaching for a sugary soda that is laden with useless calories.

Heart Health

Hundreds of studies show evidence that green tea may be beneficial for heart health thanks largely to the presence of anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants. One of these antioxidants, known as EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) has been of particular focus in the medical research industry. Several epidemiological studies show that EGCG in green tea may help to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (5). These studies typically indicate that consumers must drink anywhere from 3 to 5 cups per day regularly to notice these heart disease prevention benefits.

Additional research shows that green tea may help to prevent heart disease by decreasing inflammation. According to Harvard Health, studies involving more than 40,000 individuals showed a statistically significant decrease in risk of heart attack and stroke as well as lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels when green tea was consumed regularly (6).

Oral Health

Drinking green tea may help to improve your breath and prevent tooth decay by inhibiting bacteria that can cause plaque to build up. One study showed that a combination of green tea and propylene glycol resulted in a 64 percent reduction of bacteria loads in the saliva of study participants (7). Green tea may contain antibacterial properties that help to fight bacteria that can cause bad breath.

Mental Health

There's nothing as relaxing as settling into a comfy chair and cozying up with a cup of tea. By simply taking the time to enjoy a mug of your favorite tea, you can help to decrease stress and improve wellbeing.

Aside from that, studies show that green tea may work directly in the nervous system to boost relaxation and decrease studies. Most studies point to the presence of L-theanine as the main agent behind tea's calming effects (8). This amino acid also targets GABA receptors resulting in improved sleep quality and increasing the time spent in restful sleep cycles (9).

Cancer Prevention

While drinking tea is no cure for cancer, there is some research that shows green tea may offer minor prevention benefits. According to the National Cancer Institute, studies have shown that polyphenols and catechins in green tea may help to protect against tumor growth and cancer cell proliferation (10). While laboratory research shows an anti-cancer effect, many human and animal trials have shown inconclusive results (11).

Go Nuts For Nutty Genmaicha Tea Benefits

Genmaicha green tea is a delicious tea that packs a punch when it comes to health. In each cup, you'll find a range of Genmaicha tea benefits and explosive flavor that is unparalleled in other green teas.

Pick up some of this high-quality Japanese tea at your favorite tea shop and brew a delicious and healthy mug of tea today. For the best flavor, brew this toasted rice tea using water around 175 degrees Fahrenheit rather than boiling water, which can develop bitter flavors in green tea leaves. Mix it with a dash of honey, a slice of lemon, or some mint leaves and enjoy the rich blend of flavors in this brown rice tea.