Caitlin

One of only 2 greens I don’t like. I don’t mind the popped corn in it, but I can do w/o the rice.

I really like ricecakes and popcorn so this tea is good with me – haha. What’s the other kind out of curiosity?

Hojicha. I don’t like anything roasty toasty. Don’t like roasted oolongs either.

I haven’t tried either of those so I can’t really comment – haha

I love Genmaicha. There’s no real popcorn in this tea. When you roast rice kernels they can sometimes pop like popcorn and provide a similar smell and tasty flavor.

Actually this one does have popcorn but this pariticular pot of tea had like 2 pieces of popcorn and like 40 pieces of rice.

Even though Adagio calls it Popcorn Green I don’t really think it has popcorn in it. The rice kernels are popped as happens with all Genmaicha regardless of source.

It’s often called popcorn tea because the popped rice looks like little popcorn kernels. I’ve never come across a Genmaicha with actual popcorn in it and would be very surprised if it did.

Tea-Guy, if Caitlin says there is then I believe her. She has no reason to be dishonest about ingredients in tea. I didn’t realize rice could pop. The rice I’ve seen in Gen Mai Cha hasn’t. You are correct that Not all Gen Mai Cha has popped corn, but yes some do.

I am going off adagio’s description which says there is both rice and popcorn and these little white pieces in the tea… I must admit I am not sure I would be able to tell the difference between popcorn and rice, but I don’t think adagio would lie about ingredients.

Please understand I’m not calling anyone a liar. Adagio’s site does indicate they include popcorn with this tea, though I’ve never seen this done.

As noted, I’m surprised they would include popcorn in this tea since the rice kernels will pop anyway, the inclusion of corn is a little odd for this wonderful tea.

I’ll contact Ilya over at Adagio to learn more.

You have a point… this is Adagio. I have seen popped corn in Gen Mai Cha, but there may not be any in this even though they say there is. I know there was nothing that even looked like popped corn in my sample about 6 months ago.

I have a tin of their Genmaicha here and I know I see the popped kernels but they’re not from corn kernels.

My Genmaicha from Harney & Sons, Obubu, MotoYamaMoto and Ujinotsuyu all appear very similar. Some with differing quality of tea, but all with the kernels. I’m just waiting to hear back from Ilya. I’m curious.

Make that YamaMotoYama (I’m a little off with this migraine).

Let me know what you find out – I am curious too

Here’s the response I got:

Chris,

The genmai cha does in fact have popped rice, but since most people have never heard of the phenomenon of popping rice, we simply call it popcorn.

Hope that helps,
Ilya

Thats interesting and weird, I mean I know popped rice isn’t common, but I think people would understand the concept – haha

LOL, this is so funny and it is true that it is popped rice as stated, I think they call it popcorn to just be cute and interesting. Nevertheless, I am psyched you enjoyed this tea. It was a last minute inclusion to your package. Based on your cupboard and as I recall you are still fairly new to tea I thought you would enjoy trying something a little different and I am glad you did. Hope you BF does too. Keep us posted.

@Rachel: Yeah I have been drinking tea for years but only bagged unflavored blacks, I started getting into loose leaf only about 6 months ago. It has been an awesome experience. And I have really been enjoying trying all the different teas you sent me!!! Thanks again! I will be sure to keep putting out tasting notes on mine and ocassionally the bf’s opinion on the teas!