Japanese Ku-Ki Ho-Ji Cha (Roasted Ku-Ki Cha) - Organic

This tea has been retired/discontinued. Formerly TJ32.

Picture of Japanese Ku-Ki Ho-Ji Cha (Roasted Ku-Ki Cha)
Brand:Upton Tea Imports
Style:Hojicha
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Region:Japan
Loose/teabag:Loose

This tea's info last updated: Apr. 11, 2018

Commercial Description

This carefully roasted Ku-Ki Cha (twig tea) produces a golden brown cup with a sweet, vegetal flavor. A mild tea that is naturally low in caffeine. The distinct toasty notes linger pleasingly on the palate. Not to be confused with regular Ho-Ji Cha, which is roasted bancha tea.

Brewing Instructions: (from Upton Tea Imports)

2¼ g/cup, 180ºF, 3 min.

Ratings & Reviews

Page 1 of 1 page with 2 reviews

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Reviewer pic77 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 3/5
(338 reviews) on

The aroma of this tea is very strong, almost too strong! I made the mistake of sticking my face into the package and got overwhelmed! Once I sniffed the tea at a farther distance the aroma is still mostly strongly roasted hojicha, no other nuanced notes float through. Once it is brewed however it takes on notes of sweetness and earthiness.

The taste is very strong and delicious! It reminds me of drinking a roasted marshmallow but at maybe a quarter of the sweetness and a hint of pine needle. This is going in my collection of favorite hojicha for sure.


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Link Link to This Review
Reviewer pic77 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5
(1448 reviews) on

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.
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Page 1 of 1 page with 2 reviews

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