For a tea with humble beginnings, genmaicha (which translates to “brown rice tea”) certainly isn’t humble in quality. Known colloquially as the “People’s Tea”, genmaicha first came into existence in Japan as a substitute tea for people who could not normally afford green tea. To save money and add flavor, the green tea leaves were brewed with roasted brown rice, which was more affordable. Though originally considered a poor man’s brew, the fact that this tea did not disappear as standard green tea became more affordable is a testament to its appeal, and today it is considered a Japanese tradition. The rice in this blend gives the tea a strong, roasted flavor, which can be an appealing change for those less interested in sweet or herbal teas. It is also often mixed with matcha to create matcha genmaicha, a blend even more potent and flavorful. For tea lovers, this is certainly one brew worth trying.