I recently heard this great origin of genmaicha legend, so i’ll share… One morning in 15th century japan, a samurai called a meeting with fellow warlords to discuss military plans. His servant (by the name of Genmai), had been keeping rice up his sleeve to snack on during the day, and when he poured the tea at the meeting, a few pieces fell out into his master’s cup. the samurai, furious and embarrassed, immediately beheaded his servant with his katana. the samurai sat back down to the meeting and took a sip of his tea, and felt immediate remorse upon tasting his servant’s tasty accident, and thus, genmaicha was born.”
View our full Japanese Tea selection or genmaicha (popped corned tea) here.