Genmaicha (玄米茶, “brown rice tea”) is the Japanese name for yanagi green tea combined with roasted rice. It is sometimes referred to colloquially as “popcorn tea” because a few grains of the rice pop during the roasting process and resemble popcorn. This type of tea was originally drunk by poor Japanese, as the rice served as a filler and reduced the price of the tea; today it is drunk by all segments of society. Tea steeped from these tea leaves has a light chartreuse hue. Its flavor has a light bitterness and the fresh grassy flavor of green tea with the aroma and savory taste of the roasted rice.