Country of Origin: Japan
Leaf Appearance: dark brown, stemmy
Ingredients: green tea
Steep time: 3 minutes
Water Temperature: 180 degrees
Preparation Method: ceramic teapot
Liquor: amber
Although the leaves are brown in color, this is a green tea that is made from the leaves that are harvested in the summer and into the fall. They are then roasted to enhance the flavor. This tea was sweet, toasty and oh, so comforting. There were notes of smokiness and even a hint of a seaweed. I always forget how much I enjoy houjicha but it makes a great winter tea. My second infusion was just as delicious but I don’t think I would have been able to squeeze out much more than that. There were some leaves left in my sample packet so I threw them in a water bottle to cold brew. It was so refreshing, I think I might have even enjoyed it more that way! The farmer who produced this tea, Akihiro Kita, seems like a real character if the video on his profile is any indication. I love that Tealet has a video discussing each of their teas. It makes the tea buying and drinking process more personal. I’ve included the one about this houjicha below.
You can find out more about this tea here.