Brown rice tea

Aside from being a staple food, brown rice can also be made into tea. Brown rice tea is a refreshing, delicious, and healthy beverage. Brown rice is known to be rich in nutrients that benefit the body and may even help prevent cancer. However, brown rice tea is still unfamiliar to many people, as rice is traditionally consumed as food rather than a drink. So, let’s explore more about this unique tea in the article below!

Product information brown rice tea

• Product name: Brown rice tea
• Origin: Viet Nam
• Ingredients: 100% naturally brown rice, no flavoring or preservatives.
• Size: 600gr
• Store in a dry, cool place, away from direct light

What is brown rice tea

Brown rice tea is made from unpolished brown rice, especially organic whole-grain varieties. Its history dates back centuries to East Asia, where people discovered the diverse health benefits of rice and began experimenting with different ways to consume it. Over time, they developed a method of roasting brown rice and steeping it in hot water to create a flavorful, aromatic tea. This innovation eventually spread across the continent, becoming a staple in many cultures.

In Japan, genmaicha emerged as a blend of green tea and roasted brown rice, originally created by lower-income communities to make their tea supplies last longer. In Korea, hyeonmi-cha is made solely from roasted brown rice, offering a mild and comforting drink without the addition of tea leaves. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, a variation of brown rice tea is crafted using black or brown rice, often sweetened with sugar to enhance its natural flavors. The tea’s distinctive brown hue, sometimes with a reddish tint, comes from anthocyanin, a natural pigment found in the fiber of brown and black rice.

Over the years, brown rice tea has gained recognition worldwide for its warm, nutty taste and numerous health benefits. It is widely appreciated for its ability to aid digestion, promote relaxation, and provide a gentle source of antioxidants. Today, it remains a cherished beverage, enjoyed both as a traditional drink and a modern wellness tea in many parts of the world.

What are the benefits of brown rice tea?

If you’ve never heard of brown rice tea before, you might be wondering: What are its benefits? Drinking brown rice tea offers a range of health advantages, including the following:

• Supports weight loss: Unsweetened brown rice tea is low in calories, helping to prevent fat accumulation and promote fat burning through sweat. Since brown rice contains complex carbohydrates, it provides energy while reducing hunger cravings. For the best results, drink brown rice tea once a day in the morning or before bed without adding sugar.
• Boosts metabolism: Brown rice is rich in fiber and essential minerals that support a healthy digestive system. Organic brown rice tea helps cleanse metabolic processes, contributing to long-term wellness and maintaining a lean body.
• Regulates blood sugar levels: To reduce the risk of diabetes, replacing white rice with brown rice in your daily diet is a smart choice. Brown rice contains less sugar and fewer calories than white rice. Additionally, drinking brown rice tea daily may provide further benefits. However, if you have diabetes, consult your doctor to determine the right amount of tea for you.
• Lowers LDL (Bad cholesterol): If you struggle with high cholesterol levels, consider adding brown rice and brown rice tea to your diet. Thanks to its high fiber content and B-complex vitamins, brown rice helps reduce LDL (bad cholesterol), which may support the management of diabetes and other cholesterol-related conditions.
• Helps prevent kidney stones: Research suggests that fiber-rich foods like brown rice aid in dissolving food residues, which can help prevent the formation of kidney stones.
• Provides antioxidants: Brown rice is one of the best sources of antioxidants, as well as essential vitamins and minerals that help eliminate free radicals compounds that contribute to various health conditions. These antioxidants also promote brighter, smoother skin.
• Strengthens bone health: Along with calcium and vitamin D, magnesium is a crucial nutrient for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Brown rice tea contains high levels of magnesium, which supports overall bone health.
• Reduces cancer risk: Brown rice tea contains selenium and polyphenols, both of which may help lower the risk of certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. However, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between brown rice tea and cancer prevention. If you have a heart condition or are taking blood thinners, consult your doctor before adding brown rice tea to your diet.
• Enhances skin health: Drinking brown rice tea regularly can help improve skin complexion, making it brighter and smoother. If you struggle with oily skin, this tea can help regulate natural oil production and hydration. Additionally, applying a brown rice mask once a week may help rejuvenate your skin.
• Reduces uric acid levels: Maintaining a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle such as regular exercise, avoiding smoking, and drinking brown rice tea daily can help lower uric acid levels in the blood. The vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and magnesium in brown rice further support this process.
• Relieves stress: Starting your day with a cup of brown rice tea can help stimulate the production of positive hormones, reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

How to make brown rice tea

If you prefer a quick and convenient way to enjoy brown rice tea, using pre-packaged tea bags is an excellent option. This method requires minimal preparation while still delivering the warm, nutty flavor and health benefits of traditional brown rice tea.

Ingredients:

• 1 brown rice tea bag (genmaicha or pure brown rice tea)
• 1 cup (about 8 oz) of hot water
• Honey or lemon for added flavor

Instructions:

• Heat the water: Boil fresh water to about 175–185°F (80–85°C) if using genmaicha (brown rice green tea). For plain brown rice tea, boiling water (about 200°F or 93°C) works best.
• Steep the tea: Place the brown rice tea bag into a cup and pour the hot water over it. Let it steep for 3–5 minutes to extract the full flavor. If you prefer a stronger taste, leave it in for an extra minute.
• Remove the tea bag: Take out the tea bag and gently squeeze it to release any remaining tea essence.
• Enhance the flavor (Optional): If desired, add a teaspoon of honey for natural sweetness or a slice of lemon for a refreshing twist.
• Enjoy: Sip and enjoy your warm brown rice tea! You can also let it cool and serve it over ice for a refreshing cold brew.

How to store brown rice tea properly

Proper storage of brown rice tea helps maintain its freshness, flavor, and nutritional benefits. Whether you’re storing loose tea or tea bags, follow these tips to keep your tea in the best condition.

• Store in an airtight container: Brown rice tea can absorb moisture and odors from its surroundings. To prevent this, keep it in an airtight container made of glass, tin, or ceramic. Avoid plastic containers, as they may not provide a complete seal.
• Keep in a cool, dry place: Store your tea in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight, humidity, and heat sources like stovetops or ovens. A kitchen cabinet or pantry is an ideal location.
• Avoid refrigeration: Although it might seem like a good idea, refrigerating brown rice tea can expose it to moisture and odors from other foods. Instead, keep it in a dry place at room temperature.
• Use resealable bags for extra protection: If you buy brown rice tea in bulk, transfer smaller portions into resealable bags and store them in an airtight container. This helps reduce exposure to air each time you use it.
• Check for freshness: Over time, tea can lose its aroma and flavor. Brown rice tea is best consumed within 6–12 months for optimal taste. If it starts smelling stale or has a weak flavor, it may be time to replace it.

Brown rice tea is becoming more popular, but making it a daily habit still takes time. Starting your day with a healthy routine begins with the choices you make, and incorporating brown rice tea into your diet is a simple yet beneficial step. It’s an affordable, nutritious beverage that offers numerous health benefits all in just one cup. So why not give it a try and make it a part of your wellness journey?