The main appeal of hojicha and kuki hojicha is their roasted aroma with their also subtle and refined flavors. Since hojicha is widely available, we hope you'll find one that suits your taste.
What Is Hojicha?
Hojicha is made of the leaves and stems of sencha, roasted at a high temperature, characterized by a roasted aroma and a dark brown colour. The tea's bitterness and astringency is largely reduced by roasting at high temperatures, making the tea have a refreshing taste. Hojicha goes well with various foods and western- and Japanese-style sweets of any kind. It's tender flavor makes the tea easy to drink whether it is hot or cold the perfect refreshment to quench your thirst.
There are two types of hojicha: “Hojicha” is usually made of roasted tea leaves and “Kuki hojicha” (twig hojicha) is made of roasted twigs, both have their unique charms. Hojicha is light and plain while kuki hojicha is characterized by sweetness and a rich mellowness. Each can be enjoyed depending on your mood.
Quality Differences
sweetness
A faint ooze of sweetness arises after an aroma. Free of heaviness and well harmonised with the roasted aroma.
The sweetness is very weak overall and can hardly be noticed.
umami
Subtle sweetness and umami
The flavor gets overwhelming and tea becomes undrinkable by a large amount. Umami is is very weak overall and hardly noticeable.
bitter and astringent
High quality hojicha is mostly sweet and delicious (since it is only lightly roasted) and releases most of it's harshness and astringency when boiled.
There is little bitterness, astringency and harshness.
aroma
Abundant and strong. Deep and profound, and lingering. The roasted aroma is accompanied by elegance, pleasantness and sweet fragrance.
Weak and faint. Lacks in depth and profoundness. The roasted aroma is only superficial. There is no complexity or continuity.
liquor colour
The higher the price, the lighter the roasting, and thus, the more pale the brown colour becomes.
Stems are more deeply roasted than the leaves and hence renders the liquor darker and deeper.
How to Make Good Cups of Tea (for two)
As hojicha is casual and easily brewable, it is the perfect everyday tea for all occasions. Slightly heat the tea leaves in a microwave oven before brewing in order to extract a better roasted aroma. Be careful not to burn them.
Recommended Way To Drink
how to store
Here are some tips to keep your tea fresh and enjoy it to the fullest.