153/365
Finally getting through my much-overlooked LP blends. This was one I was really eager to try, particularly since I enjoyed 52Teas Razzleberry Genmaicha many moons ago. This one has a similar vibe, although the berry flavours are more subtle and muted. It’s maybe worth nothing that this is a more traditional genmaicha, with toasted white rice and what looks like sencha, in a roughly 60:40 rice to tea ratio. It’s not like LP’s Laoshan Chocolate Genmaicha, which was entirely unique.
The initial flavour here is toasted rice, followed by a light juicy strawberry flavour. There’s a hint of raspberry towards the end of the sip, and the tart-sourness from that lingers well into the aftertaste. The strawberry sweetens and lightens the whole thing, and it’s a great combination. Mostly, I’m just glad that “berry” aspect is a big part of the flavour, more so when it’s as nicely balanced as it is here. Although the toastiness is prominent, it doesn’t overpower the fruit flavours, and the blend as a whole isn’t overdone, artificial, or particularly in-your-face. It’s just a natural sweet fruitiness, with toasty rice, and a hint of lightly vegetal green underlying it all. Pretty much a perfect genmaicha, then?
