Tea blending has a rich history that spans centuries and countries. In China, tea blending was already practiced during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), where tea merchants would blend different teas to improve their flavor and aroma. In India, tea blending became popular during the British colonial era in the 19th century, where the British East India Company would blend different teas from different regions to create a consistent flavor profile that could be sold to their customers. Today, tea blending remains an important aspect of the tea industry, as it allows tea producers to create unique and complex flavor profiles that cater to the tastes and preferences of tea drinkers around the world. One example of a blended tea is Genmaicha, a Japanese green tea that is often mixed with roasted brown rice.
Genmaicha is a traditional Japanese green tea that was first consumed by peasants who mixed leftover rice with green tea to create a more affordable drink. The addition of rice gave the tea a nutty flavor and aroma, which made it a popular choice for those looking for a unique taste. Today, Genmaicha is still enjoyed in Japan and around the world, and is a favorite among green tea enthusiasts.
Tea blending involves combining different teas to create a unique flavor profile that is different from any single tea on its own. For Genmaicha, the tea leaves are mixed with roasted brown rice, which gives it a toasty, nutty flavor. The rice also adds a crispiness to the texture of the tea, making it a refreshing drink. The blending technique involves careful selection of tea leaves and roasted brown rice to ensure that the flavors and aromas are well balanced.
There are several techniques that are used in tea blending, including layering, blending, and scenting. Layering involves stacking different teas on top of each other in a container to allow the flavors to blend together over time. Blending involves mixing different teas together before packaging to create a consistent flavor profile. Scenting involves infusing tea with the aroma of flowers or other natural ingredients to add a subtle flavor and fragrance. This is commonly used in Chinese and Taiwanese tea production, where the tea leaves are scented with flowers, fruits, or herbs. One example is jasmine tea, which is made by scenting green tea leaves with jasmine flowers. Another example is osmanthus oolong, where oolong tea leaves are scented with osmanthus flowers, giving it a sweet and floral aroma.
In the case of Genmaicha, the tea leaves and roasted brown rice are blended together to create a unique flavor that is greater than the sum of its parts. At The Teh Company, our tea artisans steam, dry and roast white mochi rice before traditionally combining it with top grade Japanese green tea, producing a classic, rich taste reminiscent of sweet potato and chestnuts with delicate and fresh grassy notes.
Try out our Genmaicha today and discover its unique flavour today. Use the code ILOVETEH10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase.
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