Mr. Itaru's tea is a Genmaicha (green tea with roasted brown rice).  I've been crazy about Genmaicha tea since I first tasted it more than a decade ago.  I'm constantly trying various brands in my search for the best tasting Genmaicha available. After being addicted to coffee most of my life, I prefer a tea that has a roasted aroma and full-bodied flavor.

I have resisted purchasing Mr. Itaru's because it is a bit spendy, but finally took the plunge and ordered a 7 oz. bag from the BTD store.  The first thing I noticed is that it looks different from the others I have tried.  It looks like a powdered green tea is blended with the green leaf tea, and there is a very generous quantity of the roasted rice (which is what makes the taste so special).  

I brewed my first large mug of it yesterday, bringing the water up to a good steam, but taking it off the heat before it broke into a boil.  I used a Swiss Gold tea maker, which is a metal mesh cylinder with a closed bottom that sets down into the cup.  I like my tea full-bodied, so I used a rounded Tb. of tea for my 2-cup mug.  As soon as I poured the water, the aroma of rich, roasted rice filled my kitchen and my mouth started to water!  After a few minutes, I removed the tea cylinder and let the cup cool for another minute.  

The first sip impressed me.  This is obvious a high quality green tea, and it is a skillfully crafted Genmaicha.  There is some "substance" to the tea, and a roundness which is provided by the toasted grain.  It's got what it takes to be a satisfying daily beverage for people who find green tea to be too "clear".  

Definitely comfort food material!

Yes, Victoria...it is wonderful stuff.   I haven't had any since GTD and brown rice was no longer beneficial for me.    My favorite cup from Mr. Itaru's is from the bag.  I have a  dark container that I used to store it in.  I would dump the tea into it and then there would be all this powdery tea left.   Carefully, I would put in some warmed water and close up the bag by folding it a few times and gently turn the bag upside down to make sure the water got all of the powder.  Then, I would put it in my mug and top it off with a bit of hot water that had sit for a bit so it wasn't so hot.  Yummilicious.  

Debra

P.S.  Second favorite tea was the one from the empty tea container.

Quoted from Debra+

My favorite cup from Mr. Itaru's is from the bag.  I have a  dark container that I used to store it in.  I would dump the tea into it and then there would be all this powdery tea left.   Carefully, I would put in some warmed water and close up the bag by folding it a few times and gently turn the bag upside down to make sure the water got all of the powder.  Then, I would put it in my mug and top it off with a bit of hot water that had sit for a bit so it wasn't so hot.  Yummilicious.  

Debra

P.S.  Second favorite tea was the one from the empty tea container.

Well, you've got me totally confustigated, there, girl!     

Want to run that one past me one more time?  

I'm thinking . . when you make tea, you take the tea from your special container and put it in the bag.  Then pour hot water into the bag.  ???  Then your favorite tea is in the empty container.  !!!  ???

(am i having a senior moment? ) ummm . .                  ......?

definitely excellent!

Sorry...didn't mean to confuse you Victoria.  This is what I mean when I think people can read my mind.

When I first got my Mr. Itaru's tea, I would put it in a sealed ceramic container...not see through...and then...when you look in the empty bag there is all kinds of powdery stuff left.  That's when I take the warm water and pour it into the bag...fold it up...turn the bag upside down so that it gets all it can get and then I open it and pour the water and powdery stuff into a mug.  Then I top it off with more 'hot' water and enjoy a wonderful cup of tea.  And...like I said...yummilcious.  I throw the bag out after I have done this. Hope that clears it up for you Victoria.  

Debra

P.S.  You can also wait for the end of the bag to enjoy this cup of tea too.

You gals make this tea sound awesome. I going to have to break down and buy some.

Hope you like it as much as I do.  I bought Genmaicha tea for 20 years, long before I discovered that there are good teas, bad teas, so-so teas and sometimes if you're lucky, there are Great Teas!  It's just my tea of choice, for sure!  

P.S.  Second favorite tea was the one from the empty tea container. this was the bit I found confusing... but I agree tea sounds wonderful - will have to try & get some...

Quoted from Possum

P.S.  Second favorite tea was the one from the empty tea container. this was the bit I found confusing... but I agree tea sounds wonderful - will have to try & get some...

Yep...I see what you mean Possum.   Not sure what I really meant there at the moment since the one from the empty bag is my favorite cup.     Dealing with a bad backache and a migraine coming on.  Need to get on the treadmill, but will have to wait till a little later as people are sleeping.  Can't get outside as it's -33 C with a horrible wind.  Yoga isn't even helping. Sorry for the confusion.

Debra

sip away Debra!
you ll eventually come to your senses!
fly down here, to warm up!

Quoted from Debra+

...My favorite cup from Mr. Itaru's is from the bag.  I have a  dark container that I used to store it in.  I would dump the tea into it and then there would be all this powdery tea left.   Carefully, I would put in some warmed water and close up the bag by folding it a few times and gently turn the bag upside down to make sure the water got all of the powder.  Then, I would put it in my mug and top it off with a bit of hot water that had sit for a bit so it wasn't so hot.  Yummilicious.  

My favorite genmaicha also has matcha (powdered green tea) in it. So Debra, rather than licking out the bag ( ) you can buy matcha and make a tea out of that. Matcha is the tea that is used in the Japanese Tea Ceremony. It is quite potent so a little goes a long way!! And it is rather sweet which is why it is frequently used in genmaicha to add a bit of balance to the roasted rice/bancha that is traditionally used in making genmaicha.

And I hope your back feels better soon! Hurting backs are miserable. Big hugs!!

Well hello Kristin girlie...how's it going? (((((Big hugs))))) back atcha.  Thanks for the tea tip.  Waiting for my Swami test to come and hoping that brown rice will be, at least, a neutral.  Although I have my doubts.  

Back is better today, but not completely.  Migraine is now in the background, but still letting me know it can surface.  Been babying the back a bit, but need to get moving.  I find if I just sit that makes it worse...more time to think about it and other things which is probably the culprit.    Treadmill walk is coming up in the next half hour.   Then, I can eat again.

Lola...would love to fly down there.  

Debra

We need a Gathering of the GTD Babes in Lola's hometown!  

And Debra, no need to apologize for the tea post.  It brought lots of smiles and giggles!  

Yeah, no need at all - ditto above...
Hope you are feeling better today??!!

Deb...I do the bag thing too.  I thought I was the only one who poured water into the empty bag the way you do.  I do it because it's just too good to miss out on every last drop of that very special flavor,,,mmmmm yummilichious!  Even without sweetener added this tea has a sweet after-taste just as it is straight from the bag.  I usually buy 3-4 large-size bags at a time because I use so much of it & I don't want to run out. I also buy the Right For Your Type tea bags for Type "O".  I love that flavor too.  Sometimes I mix the bag with the Itaru's...a fantastic combination.  Hope you feel better real soon.  xoxoxo

Hey Rex...nice to see you again.  Yep...water in bag...no waste that way.    No sweetner for me in any tea.  Like you, if I don't care for the taste I add a bag of something else to even it out.  Another one of my favorites is Yerba Mate and Dandelion tea.  Soooooo earthy tasting.   Love it.

Thanks all...feeling better today.  Back is still a bit tight and right knee is clicking.  Yeah...I know Isa...fear of moving forward.   Headache is gone, so far.     Will be okay once I get moving.

Debra

I'm a real fan of Acupuncture, Debra.  It has given me quick relief for my various aches and pains;  spine, knee, shoulder, etc.

It's important to find a good one, though, who knows what they are doing.  (as with everything)

Quoted from Victoria

I'm a real fan of Acupuncture, Debra.  It has given me quick relief for my various aches and pains;  spine, knee, shoulder, etc.

It's important to find a good one, though, who knows what they are doing.  (as with everything)

Me too, Victoria.  But...my chiropractor is the only one around here, that I know of, that does it and she moved to Australia for three years with her hubby.    My migraines were almost instantly relieved with it when she did it on me.  She has a locum for three years, but she doesn't do it. She is supposed to be going for it, but I haven't been there since March since I started yoga.  Could be I need an adjustment.

Debra

Sometimes we all need a little help. .  

Victoriaaaaaaaaaaaaa  

My Mr Itaru's tea just flew in yesterday!  It is quite nutty and full of flavor - even my Hubbs who doesn't care for green tea likes it!!  Woo Hoo!!!

I wish i knew what is written on the package...in japanese...  anyone?  

V, are you on FB?  

http://www.4yourtype.com/itaru.asp
this description might be more or less what s written in Japanese....
or an abstract thereof

Wow, this is great!  THNX A~!  

Quoted from 6982

Victoriaaaaaaaaaaaaa  

My Mr Itaru's tea just flew in yesterday!  It is quite nutty and full of flavor - even my Hubbs who doesn't care for green tea likes it!!  Woo Hoo!!!

I wish i knew what is written on the package...in japanese...  anyone?  

I'm not wasting time buying just one box at a time anymore!    

Quoted Text

When making green tea it is not necessary or desirable to use boiling water. Moderately warm to hot water is best. Tea leaves should be placed in the water for about 30 seconds (45 seconds at the longest) and removed. Superior quality green tea should look light green when prepared in this manner.

   from the website page above courtesy of Lola

45 seconds?  I usually leave it in the cup, is that bad for the leaves?