Aardbei Lychee

I didn't expect the genmaicha to come through so clearly under the strawberry, but that toasty rice note keeps it from being too sweet. Iced is the way to go with this one.

Iced it's like drinking a fruit salad that somehow also has that toasty nuttiness from the genmaicha rice kernels—the popcorn bits are a fun surprise. The lychee comes through sweet without being syrup-like, and it's refreshing enough for a hot day.

I brew this hot on rainy afternoons and the genmaicha's toasty rice note somehow makes the strawberry taste brighter. The pineapple and mango chunks are small but they don't disappear after steeping, which I appreciate. It's sweet enough that I skip adding sugar entirely.