Charcoal-Roasted Hojicha Green Tea (Kukicha)

Roasted over charcoal in porcelain pots. If you are not partial to the vegetal taste that most green teas have, this roasty, flavorful tea is for you.

Rare, kuki-hojicha (kukicha) variety, made exclusively from green tea's delicate stems, prized for their high umami content and high notes of nutty sweetness.

Very low in caffeine. Good choice even as a soothing nightcap. You can also use it to make hojicha latte (how-to below).

❖ JAS Certified Organic

Grown, harvested, and processed by traditional farmers in lush-green highlands of Kyushu island, southern Japan.

Net Weight: 100 grams

Type: Organic loose-leaf green tea

Variety: Kuki-hojicha (kukicha)

Region: Hinokage, Kyushu Island, Japan

Color: Reddish brown

Flavor: Roasty, nutty, hint of sweetness

❖ How to Brew Hojicha

※ Add one teaspoon of tea leaves per cup.
※ Add near-boiling water to the teapot.
※ Brew for 1-2 minutes and serve.

You can add hot water again to the teapot for a second, or even a third brewing.

❖ How to Make Hojicha Latte

Ready In: 10 Minutes

Recipe Makes: 2 cups

Ingredients

※ Hojicha: One rounded tablespoon
※ Milk (or soy milk): Two cups.
※ Brown sugar or honey to taste.

Directions

※ Heat milk to a simmer in a pot.
※ Add the hojicha.
※ Brew for 2-3 minutes on low heat.
※ Strain and serve.

Hojicha's roasty, nutty flavor comes off best when unsweetened. Try your hojicha latte without sweetening to appreciate its distinctive character.