Houjicha Gold (Roasted Bancha)

This is the third sample I’ve tried in the sample package. I was very surprised when I saw the brewing instructions and, honestly, a little scared to try it! Using boiled water for a green tea!

Both the tea and tea leaves (dry and wet) have a strong roasted, wood-like aroma, and the liquor is clear, medium brown. The flavor is like that of a usual houjicha, only slightly more robust – possibly due to the fact that much of the sample consisted of tiny broken leaves. When it lingers, boy does it linger. After letting the tea settle for a few seconds in my mouth, the taste becomes much stronger. Too strong for me actually. The aftertaste is similar to that of a black coffee, which I don’t like.

I was even more surprised at the instructions for the second steeping: 15 seconds! The liquor, this time, is golden. The aroma, weaker, but still maintaining its roasted quality. It is the same for the flavor, which still leaves an astringent aftertaste. All around, the second steeping tasted like the usual houjicha I’m used to drinking.

Overall this tea is very strong and woody. I would probably drink it during an early morning because the flavor would surprise my taste buds (and brain) out of sleepiness.

This was my first Houjicha!

Dry leaves: The leaves smelled very nutty and woodsy. It’s a very familiar smell but I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what it is.

Wet leaves: The nuttiness has gotten a lot stronger and now I can smell a green tea scent.

Steeping produced a very clear, dark golden brown liquor. This tea tastes very smooth and sweet. It tastes a lot like it smells, nutty and twiggy. I feel like it tastes like almonds. Unlike any tea I’ve ever drank, especially green tea. Very good though. Just a hard one to describe.

Cheers.

I wasn’t crazy about it, but I don’t think I prepared it corretly! I should try again. Strong roasted earthy taste

Not really a fan of this, my second unenjoyable experience w/ a roasted green. I’ll give it another shot in the future, though.

This tea reminds me of autumn. It’s toasty and woody, and just tastes warm somehow. I know, it’s hot tea, but the flavor makes me feel especially warm and relaxed. You know that happy feeling you get when the leaves start to change color in fall and you think about curling up with a soft blanket, a good book, and a cup of tea? If that feeling had a flavor, that’s what flavor this tea would be.

I’m almost through my sample of this. I think I may have brewed it with a little too much water, as the flavor is lighter compared to last time I had it. I’m using a new teapot (also from Den’s) since my dad accidentally broke the one I got from the puritea a few days ago. Still getting used to the size.

Another yummy tea from Den’s. I really want to roll around in their tea fields! Brewed as stated in the instructions, comes out perfect. This reminds me of a Chinese green tea. A lush tea. And at first, it wasn’t my favorite tea. Once I had it 3 more times, I am in love with it! I am looking forward to trying it iced.

I would buy this again.