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“I really liked this tea today. I think that the only thing that has me turned off to this blend is that hojicha, for whatever reason, kind of bothers my throat. I can’t tell if this is a me thing...” Read full tasting note
“Augh. My computer is all sorts of not-working, and even writing tasting notes is not going so well. I think the computer needs a restart, and perhaps some “medical” attention…. :/ Anyways, this was...” Read full tasting note
“Additional notes: I had been thinking of this treasured tea that I’ve only got a couple teaspoons of, but I had some anyway. I think it’s my favorite 52 Teas blend. I just love the balance of...” Read full tasting note
“yum, it’s a tea “nightcap” – hoping there is not too much caffeine in this one. Definitely a dessert tea, great with some soymilk. I don’t see it as a coconut cream pie as much as a coconut banana...” Read full tasting note
From Wikipedia:
Hōjicha (ほうじ茶?) is a Japanese green tea that is distinguished from others because it is roasted in a porcelain pot over charcoal; Japanese tea is usually steamed. The tea is fired at high temperature, altering the leaf colour tints from green to reddish-brown. The process was first performed in Kyoto, Japan in the 1920s and its popularity persists today.
Hōjicha infusions have a light- to reddish-brown appearance, and are less astringent due to losing catechins during the high temperature roasting process. The roasted flavours are extracted and predominate this blend: the roasting replaces the vegetative tones of standard green tea with a toasty, slightly caramel-like flavour. The roasting process used to make Hōjicha lowers the amount of caffeine in the tea. Because of its mildness, Hōjicha is a popular tea to serve during the meal or after the evening meal before going to sleep and even preferred for children and elderly.
Temperature: 82°C
Time: 1 – 3 minutes
Number of infusions: 2
Quantity: 4 teaspoons per litre
On one of the forums I follow, someone recently made the charge that flavored teas are always made with the lowest grade of tea available. I take personal affront with this, since I like to use the finest and most unique teas I can find to create our blends. Even our simple flavored black teas are made with high grade Indian black teas. Though I could get cheaper teas, I refuse. This week’s tea of the week and this past weekend’s VIT blend are just further examples of the boundaries 52teas likes to push.
Here’s a toasted green Hōjicha blended with freeze-dried bananas, our honking big coconut flakes and natural flavors. This is a truly delicious treat you are NOT going to want to miss out on. As with the Lemon-Lime Meringue Kukicha, this is a very limited edition blend. I do not have a final pouch count just yet, but these are going to go fast, and when they are gone, they’re gone.
Lastly, I just updated the In-Stock page to reflect our latest inventory. There might be a few teas you thought you missed out on that we do have in stock after all.
Our Tea of the Week for the Week of September 26th, 2011
At 52teas.com, you will find unique, hand-blended artisan loose leaf teas: a new limited edition creation every week of the year. We pride ourselves on offering truly unique, one-of-a-kind tea blends that you won’t find anywhere else.
The coconut and banana are perfectly balanced as tea-sipper said. I prefer a strong banana but that’s one of my personal faves but having said that, it captures the Coconut Banana Cream pie very well. The light colored tea smelled of fresh coconut. Some banana slices and lots of coconut slivers in the mix. The hojicha gives that bready, lightly roasted flavor and the blend of those three main notes were yummy. There is a little woodiness to it, also slightly nutty notes due to a good hojicha. I had it 5g in 110ml gaiwan yesterday and today I had it as directed. 1.5g in 12 oz. A little goes a long way. Both ways it was a good cup(s) of tea but I really liked it in the gaiwan, high concentrated, strong tastes, short infusions.
Flavors: Bread, Coconut, Roasted
I’m glad the new blend is still so balanced! I’m also glad you liked it. :D
tea-sipper, thank you for your iiput on this one :D. I did! :)