● Description: made out of 1st harvested Organic Tencha steams
● Production Area: Kyushu island
● Elevation: 100m
● Cultivar: blend (mainly Yabukita)
Hojicha is a unique type of Japanese tea that stands out for its distinctive roasting process. Unlike most Japanese teas, Hojicha is not steamed during processing. Instead, it is fried on porcelain baking trays over charcoal, which transforms the leaf color from green to brown. This innovative technique was developed in Kyoto at the beginning of the 20th century.
Appearance and Aroma
- Appearance: The Hojicha powder consists of thin, flat, golden brown tubules of tea leaves, their fragments, and cuttings.
- Aroma: The fragrance is deep and warm, combining nutty and herbaceous notes with a hint of floral essence. The liquor produced from Hojicha is transparent with a golden-brown hue.
Flavor Profile
- Bouquet: The prepared tea offers a warm, nutty-herbaceous bouquet with delightful notes of caramel, flowers, and baked chestnut.
- Fragrance: The fragrance is rich and warm, featuring spicy and nutty tones.
- Taste: The flavor is soft and sweet, buttery, with a slight woody astringency and spicy nuances, culminating in a refreshing aftertaste.
Additional Tips
- Evening Drink: Hojicha has a low caffeine content, making it suitable for evening consumption, even shortly before bedtime.
- With Milk: Hojicha also pairs wonderfully with milk, offering a creamy and comforting tea experience.
Recipes for Hojicha Powder
Hojicha Latte:
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Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons of Hojicha powder
- 1 cup of milk (or a non-dairy alternative)
- Sweetener of choice (honey, sugar, or syrup)
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Instructions:
- Heat the milk in a saucepan until it’s hot but not boiling.
- Whisk in the Hojicha powder until fully dissolved.
- Sweeten to taste.
- Pour into a cup and enjoy warm.
Hojicha Iced Tea:
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Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons of Hojicha powder
- 1 cup of cold water
- Ice cubes
- Sweetener (optional)
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Instructions:
- Dissolve the Hojicha powder in a small amount of hot water to create a concentrate.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Pour the Hojicha concentrate over the ice.
- Add cold water to fill the glass.
- Sweeten to taste if desired.
- Stir well and enjoy chilled.
Hojicha Smoothie:
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Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of Hojicha powder
- 1 banana
- 1 cup of milk (or a non-dairy alternative)
- 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup
- A handful of ice cubes
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Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy your refreshing Hojicha smoothie.
Enjoy the rich, warm flavors of Hojicha powder in these delightful preparations!