Soba - Roasted Buckwheat

Tea type
Herbal Tea
Ingredients
Not available
Flavors
Caramelized Sugar, Chemical, Grain, Grassy, Nutty, Roasted Nuts, Popcorn, Rice, Roast Nuts, Toasty, Peanut, Sweet, Toasted, Cocoa, Roasted Barley, Roasted, Toasted Rice
Sold in
Loose Leaf
Caffeine
Not available
Certification
Not available
Edit tea info Last updated by hanshin767
Average preparation
Boiling 4 min, 45 sec 10 oz / 300 ml

From Our Community

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31 Want it Want it

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23 Own it Own it

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71 Tasting Notes View all

  • “I think I’m just in the mood for comforting teas tonight. This is soooo good!!! I still think it’s like drinking warm puffed wheat. A touch a sweetener, and a splash of milk and it’s like hot...” Read full tasting note
    94
  • “Sipdown!! (159) I am sad to see it go but I have more on the way plus, what better time to enjoy my beloved tea than watching GAME OF THRONES!!!” Read full tasting note
    100
  • “SO GOOD! I LOVE this tea. Not necessarily just the Harney version, but I love buckwheat tea in general. I brewed up a big 2 L pitcher of hot tea. It is a bit light tasting because I didn’t use...” Read full tasting note
    96
  • “So this tea is still in its probationary phase with me. And I’ve liked it, but I’m already pretty certain i won’t be restocking it. I’m also pretty certain that I’ll be doling out a lot of it to...” Read full tasting note

From Harney & Sons

Takashimaya was the best tea shop in New York for many years. They did a great job with teas from Japan and around the world (which we supplied.) One of Brigitte Harney’s favorite drinks was Soba. This is roasted buckwheat and is caffeine free. Its toasty flavor is a delight.

About Harney & Sons View company

Since 1983 Harney & Sons has been the source for fine teas. We travel the globe to find the best teas and accept only the exceptional. We put our years of experience to work to bring you the best Single-Estate teas, and blends beyond compare.

71 Tasting Notes

87
155 tasting notes

Whoa this is GOOD! The LTF advised me to make it in a big mug and I’m so glad I did. If it got cold here, I would have this every single cold morning (and night). Comforting roasty yumminess. I followed LTF’s advice and added a little maple and a little almond milk and this is like drinking breakfast. Love!

Also, is it weird that I dumped the tea into a wee cup and added a little maple syrup and ate it?

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML
TheTeaFairy

Lol, You did good kiddo ;-) It’s all pure goodness.
And it’s dexter who introduced me to this…I am so grateful!

MzPriss

I’m still nomming this – while making my grocery list to go get buckwheat pancake supplies

TheTeaFairy

Bluberry buckwheat pankakes …that’s my favourite.

MzPriss

I will see if they have any organic blueberries at the co-op – which I am off to as I am hungry now.

TeaKlutz

This sounds like a great comfort tea!

MzPriss

It really is TK

ashmanra

My son brought me some that his Chinese roommate left behind when he moved back to China. It is good! I drank it plain, but you make me want to try it other ways, too!

Christina / BooksandTea

Whenever I make sobacha, I try to save the grains for breakfast the next morning. Put the grains in a little bowl, mix them with yogurt, and you’re good to go.

Ubacat

I like cooked buckwheat cereal but never thought about tea grains.

MzPriss

It’s good!

SarsyPie

Ooooohh lovely! Sounds deeeelish!!!

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84
1598 tasting notes

Thanks VariaTEA! I’m really excited to try this because I’d heard so much about it and was so curious. And I really like it! It reminds me of Lupicia’s Orzo, but it’s not quite as rich and coffee-like. It’s just a nice warm barley tea. So comforting for the end of the day!

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81
652 tasting notes

T&C TTB Tea # 7 – Backlog May 24

(4-5 min @ 96 degrees)

Yum yum!
This was a wishlist tea that I was happy to find in the box. It basically tasted like toasted rice. Or cereal. Wheat squares? I dunno.

Very similar to a genmaicha. Would make a good mix-in/addition to another tea. It tastes like some kind of toasty cereal and that is all I have to say.

It was different, and I’d like to have some more!

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71
218 tasting notes

I had this last night and… well, it tasted like a buckwheat tea would ;D I can see myself reaching for it when I feel overdosed on caffeine, but it failed to stir me in any special way. It was definitely flavorful, more flavorful than one would expect from a handful of buckwheat and the aroma reminded me a bit of Polish roasted grain “coffee”. It was kind of like… a genmaicha with no tea in it :D

I would still like to try Lupicia’s flavored orzos though. I realize it’s not quite the same thing, but this tea and these orzos often come up together in people’s notes, so that’s where my mind went.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 15 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
TheTeaFairy

Funny that you mentioned genmaicha without the tea, I have actually mixed it with Verdant Laoshan Black and also, with some sencha. Both were so delicious, it’s like making your own genmaicha with any kind of base you choose :-)

Kat_Maria

Ha! Thank for the tip. I should try it with sencha :)

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90
661 tasting notes

Oh I love this tea! I was wondering how one buckwheat tea can taste different from the next and I guess they can. I tried the buckwheat from Wang and found it okay but weak. This tea is not. It’s rich , full , roasty. It kinda reminds me a bit of coffee in some ways. Of course it’s just a bonus that’s it so healthy and caffeine free too. I could enjoy this anytime. Already been looking at what it would cost to order from Harney & Sons.

Thank-you Dexter3657 for this great sample!

Preparation
Boiling
Christina / BooksandTea

How does it compare to the one from Ito-en that I sent you? I was considering the Wang sobacha next (because it was so cheap) but I’m glad to know you thought it weak.

Ubacat

I had to brew up a cup to see so check out my other tasting note. So far the Harney & Son Soba Cha is the nuttiest and deepest roast out of all 3. If you want I can send you some of the Wang sobacha. I’ve got so much of it!!

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72
75 tasting notes

T&C TTB

A toasty tea which reminds me of Genmaicha. It’s roasted buckwheat vs. rice which I seem to like better for some reason. After adding honey, this tea tasted a lot like Honey Smacks cereal.

You found a toasty tea that I like NayLynn, thank you for sharing this in the TTB!

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 15 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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73
694 tasting notes

TTB&C #17

I have seen this pop up quite a bit lately. Not sure why, so I had added it to my wish list not that long ago. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one. It is nice. It is sweet, cocoa, grainy flavor. I also want to use the word popcorn. It is kinda like drinking popcorn. I like it but I am not sure if it would be something I would crave.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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86
359 tasting notes

Oh Soba Cha!

So enticing I want to eat chunks of my mug, that how good it smells while I drink it.

Buckwheat pancakes, roasted grains, toasty cereals, it’s such a treat!

Ok, I pretty much NEVER add anything to my tea, not that there’s anything wrong with that, just not my preference.

But, this, THIS, with almond milk is like having a liquid bowl of your favourite cereals. Why don’t I make a giant pot of this instead of a cup?

My 4oz tin won’t last very long, I can tell you that!

I can’t ever thank my friend Dexter enough for introducing me to this wonderful tea from H&S :-)

Cameron B.

This tea sounds fantastic! It’ll probably be a while until I order from Harney (I have a tea buying queue…) but I’ll definitely be grabbing some of this. :D

Dexter

You are very welcome my friend. I totally agree with you – liquid bowl of cereal!!! A touch of sweet and a splash of milk and this just makes me HAPPY!!!

MzPriss

I need to try this one.

Cheri

I feel the same way, MzPriss. Every time I see this reviewed I really want some.

Sami Kelsh

OH MAN this sounds so magical.

TheTeaFairy

That’s exactly what this is: a happy tea :-)

gmathis

OK, any tea that inspires mug-biting has my attention!

TheTeaFairy

It is totally mug-bite worthy gmahis!

madametj

Pro-tip: Keep an eye out for roasted buckwheat or “Kasha” at your healthfood store. It’s the same thing as this. I got 11 ounces from the bulk foods section for $2.50. :) They let you buy as little or much as you want :)

TheTeaFairy

Thanks for the tip madametj, will look it up for sure :-)

boychik

its not the same. Groats of kasha are much larger. i have on hand both – kasha and tea. And buckwheat has a tendency to get spoiled without fridge.
http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t—1009/grain-storage-guide.asp

madametj

Tastes the same

madametj

Soba cha is roasted buckwheat as a tea. Kasha is roasted buckwheat as a cereal.

ohfancythat

Interesting idea, I could just pick some up at bulk food store and stick it in the fridge, good suggestion! Probably tastes the same anyhow, maybe just a bit less flavorful if the bits are bigger

Dexter

I’m not sure where you guys are buying this, but I’ve looked and asked at several health food stores and bulk stores – haven’t been able to find anything roasted. I did buy some straight buckwheat, gave it a quick roast in the oven – that didn’t work very well. Will keep looking for it…..

Cameron B.

I am so sad that I forgot to add a sample of this to my H&S order…

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2291 tasting notes

Aww! Dexter3657 surprised me with a package today. Thank you! Some puerh to hoard away err, share with my brother, and a couple other samples. This was one!

I used the whole thing in a giant mug. :) Go big or go home tonight, I guess. And I like it! So true, it’s like puffed wheat. Only hot and not chewed. I think it would go well with milk! Mmm… I think I will need to hunt down something like this locally. Maybe one of the Asian supermarkets will have it!

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 30 sec 3 tsp 20 OZ / 591 ML
Dexter

LOL – a little sweet, and a little milk and this is almost a sugary kiddy cereal. If you get a chance, I would for sure try it with a little milk. Glad you liked it. :))

OMGsrsly

I have buckwheat in my cupboard as well, so I could just make some. :) That would be sooo good! I wonder if I can resteep…

Suziqzer

Oh… Try the resteep.. I always do if I find something I really like. Why now see how many cups you will get. ?? But that’s just me. :)

Suziqzer

Why “not”… Oopsie… autocorrect got me again!

gmathis

Good thought—I’ll have to remember to look for it at our local indie grocery source.

OMGsrsly

You can get instant cereal tea with milk and sugar already added, I do know that. I haven’t been able to try them because they all have gluten.

I’ll be trying the resteep tonight. Fingers crossed!

VariaTEA

My roommate said this is very similar to Korean barley tea so you might be able to find something along those lines at an asian supermarket

OMGsrsly

Sadly barley = gluten. I have checked! I haven’t found one that’s unsweetened yet either. There’s a lot of instant stuff available here.

VariaTEA

Oh that is right. My bad.

OMGsrsly

:) No worries.

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90
15575 tasting notes

Welcome back hot cereal tea!

Steepster people are so awesome; I’ve enjoyed so many cups of this without ever having to order it thanks to the generosity of you amazing people. This specific “top off” comes via the wonderful VariaTEA who sent me a few cups more of this in the package I received from her today. This is, tied with Butiki’s Birthday Cake, my absolute favourite caffeine free late night tea to drink. I really wish that my local Chapters store would add this to the range of Harney Teas they stock; but alas that seems unlikely to happen.

I am very happy to be ending my night with this as the last tea of the day! I got in some good sipdowns today, and I tried several new things but I’m glad to be ending the day with a familiar favourite.

Ubacat

I love this tea too and got it try it out in a swap. I too wish I could pick it up locally. It suppose it doesn’t hurt to try to get Chapters to order it in.

donkeyteaarrrraugh

very curious about this tea and also barley tea! Do they taste like cereal water?

Anlina

:o Chapters stocks tea?? Well, now I know what I’m going to use my Chapters gift card on, since I’m not allowed to buy books.

Roswell Strange

I haven’t personally been a fan of Barley tea; but this one is very, very roasty. Like a Genmaicha without any of the vegetal aspects. And yes, Chapters carries tea! My local one has Pluck, Tea Forte, and Harney & Sons right now.

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