Safe to drink before bed! Explanation of the caffeine content of Genmaicha

Introduction

Genmaicha is made by roasting rice into popcorn-like form until it is golden brown and mixing it with green tea such as sencha or bancha.

It is a tea that is loved by many people for its fragrant aroma and mellow taste.

Although it is called "genmaicha," the rice actually used is usually white rice or glutinous rice.

In the past, brown rice was used, but roasted brown rice had too strong a flavor, so now it is more common to use white rice or glutinous rice, which have a milder flavor.

Genmaicha has become increasingly popular among foreigners in recent years due to its pleasant aroma, but one concern is the amount of caffeine.

This time, we will explain in detail the caffeine content of brown rice tea.

Amount of caffeine in brown rice tea

The caffeine content of Genmaicha is generally considered to be around 10mg per 100ml , which is about half the amount found in regular sencha , a common type of green tea.

The reason why brown rice tea has less caffeine than green tea is because brown rice itself contains very little caffeine, and some of the caffeine evaporates during the roasting process of green tea.

In other words, the more brown rice a drink contains, the less caffeine it contains.

Although the name includes the word "tea," most teas on the market actually contain more brown rice than tea leaves, meaning that most are more than 50% brown rice.

When comparing the caffeine content of Genmaicha with other drinks, we can see that it has very little caffeine compared to gyokuro, matcha, etc.

Amount of caffeine in Japanese tea (per 100ml)

Gyokuro 160mg
Matcha 60mg
Sencha 20mg
Hojicha 20mg
Oolong tea 20mg
Kamairi tea 10mg
Bancha tea 10mg
Brown rice tea 10mg

The appeal of Genmaicha

Genmaicha is a tea that has a low caffeine content and is less likely to disturb sleep or irritate the stomach.

In particular, it can be enjoyed safely by those who are sensitive to caffeine, pregnant women, small children, and the elderly.

Caffeine is a very useful ingredient when consumed appropriately, as it can increase concentration and improve athletic performance, but excessive consumption can put a strain on the body.

Genmaicha is also great to drink when you want to relax or before bed without worrying about consuming too much caffeine.

In addition, genmaicha is rich in theanine, which has a relaxing effect.

The stimulating effect of caffeine and the relaxing effect of theanine work in a well-balanced way, so genmaicha is a good choice for drinking when you want to relax in peace or when you want to concentrate on something while relaxing your shoulders.

In addition, the fragrant aroma of genmaicha comes from pyrazine, an aromatic component of roasted rice, which is said to promote blood flow and relax the brain.

It has many beneficial effects, such as relieving cold sensitivity and stiff shoulders, and preventing lifestyle-related diseases.

Tips for brewing delicious Genmaicha tea

To enjoy genmaicha tea to its fullest, it is important to bring out its fragrant aroma, so the key is to brew it with hot water.

A shorter brewing time will produce a refreshing tea that is recommended for drinking during or after meals.

On the other hand, if you brew it for a longer time, the starch in the roasted rice will dissolve, giving it a thick, creamy texture.

The popcorn-like white things mixed into genmaicha are popped rice called "genmai no hana" (brown rice flower), which looks gorgeous when floating in the tea. The genmai no hana can also be eaten as is.

summary

Genmaicha, which has been loved by the common people for a long time, is characterized by its mellow taste and low caffeine content.

It contains about half the caffeine as green tea, so it can be safely consumed before bed or by those with weak stomachs.

Recommended for those who want to enjoy tea without worrying about caffeine.