Country of Origin: Japan
Leaf Appearance: dark brown, slightly curled
Water Temperature: 194 degrees
Steep Time: 30 seconds
Preparation Method: glass infuser
Liquor: reddish amber
I was introduced to Gentle Arteafacts by Matsu, one of my instructors from the Japanese Tea Master course with the Global Japanese Tea Association. One of the founders is an alum of the same program. Sabrina and Gabriel are passionate about Japanese tea and sharing it with the world in unique ways. I wanted to try all of their teas, but this Hojicha-Genamicha really caught my eye.
Leaf
Genmaicha is typically a blend of bancha, a lower-grade green tea, and white rice. Gentle Arteafacts Hojicha-Genmaicha is unique because the tea was roasted and blended with mochi rice. The dry leaf was dark brown and somewhat broken, with a good proportion of golden rice kernels mixed in.
They weren’t the ‘popcorn’ style that I have seen more often. I couldn’t resist giving a piece of rice a nibble, and it tasted just like when you get a burnt piece of Rice Crispies cereal. This tea had a sweet, toasty, and slightly smoky aroma that seemed to intensify once the leaves were wet. I prepared it in a glass infuser with 194℉ water and an infusion time of 30 seconds.
Liquor
Gentle Arteafacts Hojicha-Genmaicha brewed up a reddish amber liquor. The taste was incredibly smooth, sweet, and nutty. The company’s tasting notes compared it to soba, an herbal infusion that is made from roasted buckwheat. I would have to agree. It made me nostalgic for my trip to Japan last year. The overall effect was very comforting. My second infusion was noticeably smokier with a hint of maple syrup. I really enjoyed this toasty twist on a Japanese tea classic.
This tea is low in caffeine, so it has quickly become one of my go-tos when I am craving a cup of tea in the evening. I have to give props to Gentle Arteafacts for their packaging. The tea came in a beautiful double-lidded tin. I love the iconography of Japanese tea fields alongside the Brooklyn Bridge. They are based in Brooklyn and often host innovative tea events. I highly recommend connecting with them if you’re near NYC.
Have you ever tried Gentle Arteafacts Hojicha-Genmaicha? I’d love to hear your tasting notes in the comments below!
Hojicha-Genmaicha was purchased from Gentle Arteafacts.
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