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!
Frosty Spring Yunnan Roast Green from Life In Teacup
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Life In Teacup
Company Description:
Production Year: 2010
Production Season: Pre-Spring, January 1, 2010
Production Region: Yunan Province, Xi Shuang Ban Na
Style: Hong Qing (roasted)
Taster’s Review:
This is an amazing cup of tea!
Prior to and during infusion, the tea smells very strongly of vegetables. The brewed liquor is a softer smell, but still smells like vegetables mingling with a light, roasted nut aroma. It’s very intriguing.
The flavor is intense! It has a lovely roasted flavor that resembles buttery chestnuts and roasted vegetables. In the finish, there is a tart/tangy note that seems to waft over the palate. There is more astringency than I am typically accustomed to with a green tea, but, it isn’t hindering me from enjoying the tea.
There is also a beautiful sweetness to this cup… a light, flowery sweetness. It’s really quite enchanting!
I brewed this tea in my gaiwan and I would suggest brewing it no other way! I obtained a vibrant, delicious and fragrant cup of tea with a short brew time of 1 minute. The leaves expand quite a bit so I don’t recommend brewing this using an infuser – there just won’t be enough room for the leaves to completely unfurl, and you’ll risk losing some delightfully impressive flavor.
The leaves submit several infusions. After brewing in my gaiwan, I combine 2 infusions in my teacup, and I managed 3 very flavorful cups (that’s a total of 6 infusions) of this lovely tea! At just $4.50 per ounce, that makes this tea an INCREDIBLE value! I love it when tea is not only tasty but affordable!