Looking for your next genmaicha dessert inspiration? You can get some great ideas with our guide to the best types of genmaicha dessert.
Here, we are going to be doing a brief introduction into what genmaicha tea is, and why the flavor works so well in different desserts. We’ll also discuss each type of genmaicha dessert in detail, covering genmaicha ice cream, cake, panna cotta and mochi!
Let’s get started. 🍪
Introduction to genmaicha dessert
Before we start talking about genmaicha dessert, I think a few introductions are in order. First, we will need to cover genmaicha tea and then we’ll talk about the basics of genmaicha dessert.
What is genmaicha?
Genmaicha, also known as "brown rice tea," is a traditional Japanese green tea made by mixing pieces of toasted brown rice with either sencha or bancha tea leaves.
History of Genmaicha tea
Its origins can be traced back to the Edo period in Japan, when tea merchants began to add roasted brown rice to green tea leaves as a way to stretch their supplies and make the tea more affordable for lower-income households.
Over time, people fell in love with the flavor of this unique tea and the practice of adding rice to green tea became more widespread.
Eventually, farmers began to grow and harvest a special type of rice specifically for use in genmaicha and experimented with different recipes and blends to create the perfect toasted rice tea.
Why the flavor works perfectly in a genmaicha dessert
In addition to its unique nutty flavor and aroma, genmaicha is also known for its versatility in genmaicha dessert. The tea's distinct taste adds a layer of depth and complexity to a wide range of sweet treats.
From ice cream to cakes and mochi, genmaicha is a versatile ingredient that can elevate the flavor of any dessert. The nutty and toasty flavors of the roasted rice in genmaicha pair well with sweet and creamy desserts, making it a popular choice among pastry chefs and genmaicha dessert enthusiasts.
Beyond genmaicha desserts
It's not just limited to sweet treats, but also used in savory dishes such as soups and sauces. The tea's umami flavor can add a depth of flavor to savory dishes as well.
Genmaicha's versatility in desserts and savory dishes make it an interesting ingredient for chefs and home cooks to experiment with. With the increasing popularity of Genmaicha, it's not hard to find it at the market in the form of genmaicha desserts.
Genmaicha Ice Cream, the best cold genmaicha dessert
The flavor profile of Genmaicha ice cream is a unique combination of the nutty, toasty notes of the roasted brown rice and the grassy, vegetal notes of the green tea.
The ice cream is often made by infusing the tea leaves into cream and sugar, before churning and freezing. Some variations also include toasted rice in the ice cream, giving it a crunchy texture.
Some ice cream makers also choose to add roasted rice powder in the ice cream for a more intense flavor.
How Genmaicha ice cream is made
Genmaicha ice cream is typically made by infusing genmaicha tea leaves into cream and sugar, then churning and freezing the mixture.
Genmaicha ice cream can be found in various Asian-inspired ice cream shops, as well as some specialty ice cream shops and high-end restaurants.
In addition to genmaicha ice cream you can also make a delicious ice cream out of hojicha roasted green tea. For that, you can check out our article 👉 Make Hojicha Ice Cream in 4 Easy Steps
Panna Cotta an Italian-inspired Genmaicha Dessert
The flavor profile of Genmaicha Panna Cotta is similar to the ice cream, a unique combination of the nutty, toasty notes of the roasted brown rice and the grassy, vegetal notes of the green tea, with a creamy and silky texture.
The Panna cotta is usually infused with genmaicha tea leaves and sweetened with sugar and sometimes honey.
Some variations also include toasted rice in the Panna cotta, giving it a crunchy texture.
How this genmaicha dessert is made
Genmaicha Panna Cotta is typically made by infusing genmaicha tea leaves into cream, sugar, and sometimes honey, then slowly heating and setting the mixture in a mold.
Some variations may include toasted rice or rice powder in the Panna cotta for added texture and flavor. Some variations of Genmaicha Panna Cotta also include other flavors such as matcha, black sesame, or even chocolate.
Genmaicha Panna Cotta is not as common as the other types of genmaicha dessert, but it can be found in some Asian-inspired restaurants, and some high-end restaurants.
Genmaicha Cake, a Genmaicha Dessert for Special Occaisions
The flavor profile of Genmaicha cake makes it another classic genmaicha dessert.
The cakes are usually made by infusing the genmaicha tea leaves into the batter, and sometimes also adding in toasted rice or rice flour for added texture and flavor.
Some variations may also include other flavors such as matcha, black sesame, or even chocolate.
How genmaicha cakes are made
Genmaicha cakes are typically made by infusing genmaicha tea leaves into the batter and baking it. Some variations may include toasted rice or rice flour in the cake batter for added texture and flavor.
This cake is more common that the panna cotta and the ice cream, but still not widespread. Some artisanal bakers also sell their Genmaicha cake online.
In addition to genmaicha cake, you can also find a cake made with roasted hojicha green tea. If you want to learn to make it, you can read our recipe 👉 Make a Stunning Hojicha Cake Worthy of a Birthday Party
Genmaicha Mochi, the perfect Genmaicha Dessert for Tea Ceremonies
During the Japanese tea ceremony, it is customary to serve a dessert alongside the matcha tea, both as a flavor pairing to smooth out the bitterness, but also as a gift to present the guest.
What better type of mochi to use for a Japanese tea ceremony than a genmaicha mochi!
To make this genmaicha dessert, the Mochi dough is usually infused with genmaicha tea leaves and sweetened with sugar. Some variations also include toasted rice in the Mochi, giving it a crunchy texture.
How genmaicha mochi is made
The mochi dough is made from glutinous rice, flour and sugar so to mak a genmaicha version of this, you can either infuse this with the tea leaves, or you can add a toasted rice flavor with green tea powder.
Treats like mochi are typically offered to guests during the Japanese tea ceremony. If you want to learn more about this sacred practice, you can read our guide 👉 A Walkthrough of the Japanese Tea Ceremony
Final Verdict on the best Genmaicha Dessert
Genmaicha is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various desserts such as ice cream, panna cotta, cake, and mochi.
Each genmaicha dessert has a unique flavor profile, combining the nutty, toasty notes of the roasted brown rice with the grassy, vegetal notes of the green tea. Variations of these desserts also include other flavors such as matcha, black sesame, or even chocolate.
The popularity of the Genmaicha dessert
Genmaicha's unique flavor profile and versatility in desserts make it a popular choice among pastry chefs and dessert enthusiasts. Its nutty and toasty flavors pair well with sweet and creamy desserts.
While it is nowhere near as common as finding a matcha dessert or a hojicha dessert, the genmaicha desserts seem to be catching on in certain pockets around the world.
