MeiLeaf: Houjicha

Meileaf is one of my favorite places to buy tea as they pick some really great types of tea and have a really wide selection.

I love trying the different teas they have to offer, and this #houjicha was one of the ones hidden in the tea chest - so I had to get it out to try!

I haven't had many #japaneseteas so I was really excited for this one and the aroma of it is just AMAZING!

HoujiCha is a roasted #greentea from Japan. Unlike most Japanese green teas, it is roasted over a pot of charcoal, rather than steamed, which gives the leaves their reddish brown color. I hadn't realized, but it is also very low in caffeine, so its a great tea to have in the afternoon if you don't want to be awake all night!

Picked in Spring and Summer of 2019, this tea is from Shizuoka in Japan and it is a blend of three pickings to give it a higher grade and richer flavor. Made of:

- 30% Ichibancha (First Flush)

- 50% Nibancha (Second Flush)

- 20% Bancha (Third Flush)

How is this tea?

The first thing you notice about this tea is its aroma. It is GORGEOUS! Rich, sweet and reminiscent of chocolate, it hints to what a good brew this is!

I brewed this tea at 85, as lower temperatures are usually recommended for green teas, but for later brews I increased this as Houjicha is recommended at hotter temperatures to withdraw more of the flavors.

This tea brews through to a lovely golden liquor and the flavors that come through are delicious. Although I don't usually get a lot of the flavors Meileaf describe on their teas, this one did match its description for me, with a rich caramely flavor coming through, and an unusual after taste which reminds me a little of barely tea and prevents the flavor being overly sweet.

Tea rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐