Tea: Japanese Ku-Ki Ho-Ji Cha (Roasted Ku-Ki Cha)
A Hojicha from Upton Tea Imports - Organic
This tea has been retired/discontinued.
Brand: | Upton Tea Imports |
Style: | Hojicha |
Region: | Japan |
Caffeine: | Caffeinated |
Loose? | Loose |
# Ratings: | 2 View All |
Reviewer: Alex Zorach
✓ 1453 teas reviewed
✓ 16 of Hojicha
✓ 219 of Green Tea
✓ 173 of Upton Tea Imports
✓ 65 from Japan
Review of Japanese Ku-Ki Ho-Ji Cha (Roasted Ku-Ki Cha)
April 23rd, 2010
Aroma | Flavor | Value | Total |
8 of 10 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 77 of 100 |
Excellent | Good | Good Value |
Aroma powerful and enticing like a dark roast coffee. This tea foams when brewed, and the brewed cup is clearer and lighter in color than you'd expect from the aroma and dark color of the twigs. Unlike some kukicha, this tea seems to be made exclusively out of twigs with not even a bit of leaf.
Surprisingly, relative to the strong aroma, this tea has a mellow and sweet flavor. I would not call it vegetal, although it's perhaps just a tad more vegetal than most darker hojicha's. Very little bitterness and no astringency.
This is a smooth and very mild tea, yet the bold, roasted aroma might appeal to people who enjoy coffee. Not cheap, but nuanced enough to justify the price.