We don't know when or if this item will be available.
“Just got this tea in the mail a few minutes ago, with a couple of Den’s new Ocha Cans, which are gorgeous. Emptied the tea into the can, and all I can say is, WOW! The aroma! Sweet, toasty, roast,...” Read full tasting note
“Steeped this up according to the directions, and this is quite roasty! Flavor-wise, this is so toasty and roasty, with a slight natural sweetness. It reminds me a lot of a genmaicha, but with a...” Read full tasting note
“I had a sample of this and I decided to make this iced. I don’t know why. I usually avoid trying teas for the first time iced. This awesome-“leafed” tea has an unmistakable roasty flavor that...” Read full tasting note
“The scent of the dry leaf reminds me of those Japanese rice crackers wrapped in seaweed. Once steeped, it’s very roasty and quite savory. There is a faint note of seaweed snack in the flavor, but...” Read full tasting note
Description:
Karigane Houjicha is lightly roasted Karigane Kukicha which is a kukicha made from Gyokuro, Japan’s top grade of green tea. The result is a Houjicha with an exceptional taste and good umami. Compared to our refreshing regular Houjicha, Karigane Houjicha has the same roasted flavor and virtually no bitterness plus you will experience a deep after taste on your tongue and through your nose.
Origin: Asahina, Shizuoka
Harvest: First Flush 2013
Species: Yabukita
Tasting Profile:
Similar to Karigane, it has a good level of Umami but unlike Karigane, has a toasted vegetable flavor. Also unlike regular Houjicha, the flavor lingers for a while refreshing your mouth. It is Houjicha, but somewhat more elegant.
Den’s Preferred Brewing:
Water: 4oz boiled
Leaves: 2 grams or 1 heaping teaspoon
Steep: 30 sec
2nd Cup: Water boiled; Steep 15 sec
For a cup of Iced Tea: Put 50% more tea leaves into a teapot. Steep as directed for hot tea. Once you brew it, put ice into the cup to lock in the aroma.
Company description not available.
Just got this tea in the mail a few minutes ago, with a couple of Den’s new Ocha Cans, which are gorgeous. Emptied the tea into the can, and all I can say is, WOW! The aroma! Sweet, toasty, roast, like warm, honey wood soaked in bliss. Lovely smell!
I have steeped it for 30 seconds, about 2 teaspoons worth, maybe a touch more (what was left in the bag after filling the 6.5oz tea can to capacity).
Aroma profile: very deep scent. Sweet smell, very warming and calming, toasty, roasted nuttiness, like honey in some way. Hard to describe, but I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t just LOVE this smell.
Flavor profile: very delicious. Sumptuous warmth and the honey-esque sweetness is gorgeous, only to be tamed to perfection by what remains of the distinctly green tea flavor this blend retains. I adore the color, too. Like hard wood floors that are lit up by the reflection of a crackling fire. To die for!
Being a Gyokuro stem, – Japan’s top grade tea FYI, – the quality is apparent with every sip. Truly elegant taste that is the most marvelous harmony of toasty, warm notes, paired with the almost umami taste that the green tea holds on to.
As always, Den’s, MAGNIFICENT tea. I already know this is one of my favorites. Hope this isn’t limited time, as I will want this to be a regular in my cupboard from now on. I know exactly why I continue to use your teas exclusively when I receive such a beautiful product. Really, every detail is thought out splendidly and I thank you for what you do.
Flavors: Honey, Nutty, Roasted, Sweet, Toasty, Wood
Steeped this up according to the directions, and this is quite roasty!
Flavor-wise, this is so toasty and roasty, with a slight natural sweetness. It reminds me a lot of a genmaicha, but with a less vegetal green notes. Not bad at all.
I had a sample of this and I decided to make this iced. I don’t know why. I usually avoid trying teas for the first time iced.
This awesome-“leafed” tea has an unmistakable roasty flavor that reminds me of roasted rice in genmaicha and I think it would work great hot but as an iced tea it seems that its most characteristic features were a little jarring. Especially at first. When I have iced tea, it means I’m either driving to work, am at work, or driving back from work, so I don’t pay that much attention to the flavors but with this one I kind of… had to. So roasty!
I still have about 1 serving of this left and I am definitely going to try it hot!
The scent of the dry leaf reminds me of those Japanese rice crackers wrapped in seaweed. Once steeped, it’s very roasty and quite savory. There is a faint note of seaweed snack in the flavor, but it’s not overwhelming, and there’s not much else going on in terms of vegetal notes. There’s a fair bit of sweetness as well, and a little bit of astringency (which is a good thing as far as I’m concerned). It’s not a very complex tea, but it’s pleasant and refreshing. I’m drinking it hot, but I bet it would be nice iced as well.
T&C TTB 17/23
Tasty roasted cereal. I added honey to see if it would taste like Honey Smack cereal and it does. If I thought I would drink it enough I would definitely order some I just will not add honey because I have not so great memories of that cereal from when I was a kid.
This is my first Houjicha and I’m glad I got a chance to try it.
Thanks bluebell for sharing.
I got a sample of this with my last Den’s order and didn’t get around to trying it until now. It’s a delight! It’s sweet in a green way, like snap peas, with a hint of a more honeyed flavor. The roastiness is gentle and doesn’t overpower the other flavors at all. In fact, it takes a back seat to the other flavors. I’m really glad I reached for it tonight.
