Rate and review teas. The most comprehensive tea resource on the web.
Rating:

Rate this tea:

Aroma:(10 is best)
Flavor:
Value:
Overall:
Total:? / 100

Your review: (help with writing about tea)URL to Full Review: (optional)

Kocha Japanese Black

Picture of Kocha Japanese Black
Brand:Far West Trading Company
Style:Black Tea
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Region:Japan
Loose/teabag:Loose
Product page:Kocha Japanese Black

Commercial Description:

Before World War II Japan produced black tea for export. It virtually disappeared from the late 1950's until recently. Our Kocha is withered for 52 hours which brings out a sweet flavor and beautifully delicate red color. Unlike other black teas, this selection contains some stems and an unusually high moisture content. Our Kocha is a black tea that green tea lovers will enjoy.


Ratings & Reviews:

This review by Alex Zorach (623 reviews) on Dec. 20th, 2010
Total: 77/100 : Aroma: 7/10, Flavor: 5/5, Value: 4/5, Overall: 7/10
There is something very muted and controlled about this tea. It reminds me of a high-grown Ceylon, from Nuwara Eliya, and I would probably believe it if someone labeled it as such. A faint malty aroma is barely present under a light, rice-like quality. Only a faint bitterness in the aftertaste, and very little astringency.

I settled on two different ways of brewing: more leaf, and a single 1 minute infusion followed by a second one of 3 minutes. And less leaf, with a single 3 minute infusion. Using the second method, which I preferred, the tea was much maltier, but the malt was still more of an undertone and the dominant character was still the aroma of rice.

Very enjoyable. This was my first Japanese black tea, and on some level, it is exactly what I had expected out of such a tea. Pricey but good quality and not unreasonable given the unusualness of this offering.
Sign up or log in to comment on this review.