Country of Origin: Japan Leaf Appearance: dark, twig-like Ingredients: roasted green tea Steep time: 1 minute Water Temperature: 195 degrees Preparation Method: kyusu Liquor: dark amber Although it doesn’t look much like it, hojicha is actually a green tea. Due to the roasting process it is very low in caffeine. In Japan it is often given to babies and the elderly for this reason. Hojicha is not often my go to but on a rainy day this offering from Yunomi really hit the spot. I was excited to see that it was from Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms, home of the famously wacky Aki-san. It was included as a sample with a recent order and although I…

Country of Origin: Japan Leaf Appearance: light brown, twiggy Ingredients: green tea Steep time: 3 minutes Water Temperature: 180 degrees Preparation Method: stainless steel infuser basket and ceramic teacup Liquor: very dark amber Hojicha doesn’t taste or look much like a green tea, especially when compared to other Japanese teas like sencha or gyokuro. It is generally low in caffeine thanks to older leaves, an abundance of stems and roasting. This type of tea can usually take higher temperature water but I went with a slightly conservative 180 degrees. This one was particularly dark, making it perfect for a chilly fall night. The taste was roasty and sweet with hints of dark cocoa and…