Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Kyoto Obubu Tea Plantations
Tea Description:
Houjicha Amber as the name says is exquisite in color, aromatic in fragrance and powerful in flavor. Its color is that of the stone, amber, that is often used for both jewelry and to perfumery.
To produce Houjcha Amber, Obubu uses tea leaves of Sencha of the Summer Sun and roast them to create a luxury type of Houjicha. Sencha of the Summer Sun is characterised for its strong bitter taste because it uses tea leaves that are small and fine. Its rich and robust flavor makes it an ideal choice for after heavy or oily meals.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
It’s been a while since I’ve had a cup of Houjicha, so I thought it was definitely time for a cup. This Amber Houjicha Tea from Kyoto Obubu Tea Plantations is really lovely.
According to the above description, the leaves used for this Houjicha is the Sencha of the Summer Sun, and this was a Sencha that I really enjoyed … so I found myself eager to try this tea after reading the description. I wondered how different the flavor would be after the roasting process.
Interestingly enough, I still taste some of the Sencha in this tea, although it is … certainly different from a typical Sencha (duh, right?) But I taste some of the vegetative notes of the Sencha tea, as well as some of the floral notes. The Sencha of the Summer Sun was a rather assertive green tea so, I guess it should come as no surprise that some of those flavors still shine through after the roasting.
But, I like how the vegetative notes taste … more like roasted vegetables as opposed to “creamed spinach.” Some of the creamy notes of the green tea are also present in this cup, and when united with the toasty flavors, it gives a creamy, nutty sort of flavor that is really quite appealing.
Sweet and delicious, with a moderate amount of astringency … this is different from the usual Houjicha which I might describe as a mellow, easy-going kind of tea … this one has a certain lively vibe to it that makes it different but still quite delightful.
If you like Houjicha … add this to your MUST try list!
Houjicha (Smoky Roast) from Kyoto Obubu Tea Plantations
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Kyoto Obubu Tea Plantations
Product Description:
Roasted green tea, or Houjicha (ほうじ茶 sometimes 焙じ茶), is unlike any green tea you’ve tasted before. With a richly smokey flavor that is simultaneously light and sweet, houjicha has none of the bitterness of traditional green teas. And like decaf coffee, the roasting process removes the caffeine from the leaves making it the perfect after dinner / before bed drink.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is my third and final tea from the December “Steep for Japan” Steepster Select box … yes I am a little behind this month! It was the 12 Day countdown with 52Teas that did it to me! But at least I am indeed tasting and reviewing it in the month of December, right?
The idea of this box was to celebrate the teas from Japan, and I think that the varieties offered in the box showed three very different types of tea from one very small country – all unique and very delicious reflections of a country that endured some pretty rough times this past year.
I’ve tried a couple of different Houjicha teas from Kyoto Obubu Tea Plantations, including the Organic Houjicha and their Houjicha Dark Roast. And I must say that even though they are all Houjicha, each possess their own unique qualities depending upon how they are grown and processed.
This Smoky Roast Houjicha is indeed smoky. The other Houjicha teas tend to have a smoky element to them due to the roasting process, but, here, the smoke is very well defined. It is evident in the aroma of the dry leaf and brewed liquor, and it is especially evident in the flavor. That being said, I wouldn’t call it overly smoky (this is no Lapsang Souchong). I like the level of smokiness to this Houjicha; it’s not too smoky for my palate, and I like that it does not overwhelm the other notes in the cup.
This tea is smooth and pleasantly sweet, reminding me a bit of caramel and I like the way the caramel-like notes meld with the smoky tones. A complimentary wood note fills in the background, providing a well-rounded flavor. It has very little astringency, and it is not bitter. Just a very enjoyable and relaxing cup!
As as it cools the flavors remain pleasantly warm and agreeable. The effect is something I’d liken to a soft, cozy blanket or fuzzy slippers; I get that kind of warm, comfortable sensation from this tea. Very nice, indeed!
ITFA Global Tea Taster’s Club, August Shipment, Part 2: Organic Houjicha
Leaf Type: Green
Produced for the Kyoto Obubu Tea Plantations
For More Information, visit the Tea Farms webpage
About ITFA Global Tea Tasters Club:
By subscribing to the Global Tea Tasters Club, you will receive tea from ITFA tea farms 6 times per year. Each time, we will select a different region to feature and as we grow in tea farm members, so will your tea experience.
Your tea will also be accompanied by info about the tea and the tea farms themselves.
To know where your tea is coming from, who has grown and produced it, to taste the difference in teas from around the world…what could be better?
Taster’s Review:
I know that I’ve said it before: I love Houjicha (or Hojicha, as it is sometimes called). I love the roasty-toasty flavor of it, and the sweet, honey caramel notes. It’s one of those teas that really remind me of autumn.
And this is quite possibly the best Houjicha tea that I’ve ever tasted. Yes, it’s sweet and roasty-toasty, with a very pleasant nutty flavor. But there is something more to this one, something that I don’t always experience with Houjicha. And that’s the creamy note that I’m tasting now. Sweet and almost milky.
According to the information that is included with the teas in the Global Tea Taster’s Club package, this particular Houjicha was harvested in June of this year. That’s roughly about three months ago! I have to believe that it is the freshness of this Houjicha that makes it stand out above the rest … and the fact that it is organically grown doesn’t hurt either.
I am so happy with this August shipment of teas from the ITFA Global Tea Taster’s Club (and it makes me wonder what is in store for us for October!) If you love tea – you’ve gotta sign up! You’ll be glad you did.
Hojicha Stalk from Teanobi
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Teanobi
Product Description:
Hojicha is composed of large Japanese green tea leaves and stems which are roasted to yield its distinctive color and flavor. Our Hojicha Stalk is exclusively made from tea leaf stems. The stems provide a longer lasting flavor and more infusions. Enjoy a mild roasted flavor with a deep and pleasant aroma. Yields a deep red colored tea.
This tea is grown exclusively in Kyoto, Japan. There are no preservatives or additives of any kind. Imported directly from Japan to preserve peak freshness.
Taster’s Review:
This is one of the most impressive Hojicha teas I’ve ever encountered. The color is much deeper and darker in color than other Hojicha teas I’ve tried, and as it infused, the delicious roasty-toasty smell filled the kitchen. YUM!
Of course, that roasty-toasty smell translates into the flavor, giving the cup a very agreeable roasted nut flavor. It is a smooth, rich tasting Hojicha that doesn’t come across as too heavy. Light in body … rich in flavor!
The roasted quality of Hojicha tends to give the natural sweetness of the tea a caramelized flavor, and that is no exception with this Hojicha. It is sweet with a burnt-sugar flavor that is irresistibly delicious. In fact, I am having a hard time sitting my teacup down long enough to type, I just want to keep on sipping!
Overall, this cup is very pleasant and mellow – perfect for evening, and since Hojicha tends to have less caffeine than most other teas, it won’t keep me up all night, either. I also find Hojicha to be very soothing on my stomach (and my nerves), which is exactly what I need later in the day.
If you like Hojicha, this is one that needs to be on your “to try SOON” list!
Organic Hojicha Chai from Eden Foods
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Eden Foods
Product Description:
Our master tea blender says, “Innovating, breathtaking, this audacious blend combines familiar Malty notes of Hojicha with exotic Indian spices. A classic revisited.” Chai is the generic word for tea in many countries of southern Asia and is believed to have originated in India over 5,000 years ago. Usually made with black tea, Eden’s is made with Hojicha, roasted summer green tea leaves. Rich smoky, deep flavor similar to that of black, but with less caffeine – 67 percent less than brewed coffee. Traditional chai is made with milk and sugar or honey. We use Edensoy Vanilla or Edensoy Vanilla Extra, sweetened with naturally malted organic grain extract, or EdenBlend naturally sweet from organic amazake. It’s delicious plain as well. Spicy, warming, and stimulating.
Ingredients:
Organic Roasted Green Tea Leaves (Camellia sinensis), Organic Cinnamon Bark, Organic Cardamom Seeds, Organic Ginger Root, Organic Star Anise, Organic Roasted Chicory Root, Organic Cloves
Taster’s Review:
As some of you probably know, I love spiced chai. I love ’em spicy and I even love ’em mildly spiced. This chai falls somewhere between these two – not quite what I would call spicy, but certainly not mild either.
When I first tore in to the package, the aroma of star anise took my breath away. I love star anise; I love that sharp yet sweet licorice-y flavor it brings to a tea.
And that licorice flavor is definitely tasted in this blend, although it isn’t nearly as strong as the aroma lead me to believe. But this is a good thing, while I do love star anise, I don’t like it to overwhelm a chai.
The spices are nicely balanced. I am not finding one particular flavor standing out above the rest. Instead, they seem to bring a synergistic harmony to the cup.
But where this tea really shines is with the roasted flavor of the hojicha and chicory root. I love this toasty element in this cup. It gives it a baked sort of feel, like a freshly baked spice cake or gingerbread cookies! Yummy!
I enjoyed this. It certainly is not my favorite chai out there, but it is nice to have this bagged tea on hand when I am kind of pressed for time but still want a great tasting tea.