Soba Cha Deep Roast

I got an offer for a free month of Steepster Select, so I broke down and got it. This was in the March box which I received.

It’s really interesting, I can see why it was noted as being a common companion to ramen. It’s a tisane, not tea, so it doesn’t check that internal box, but it’s likable, and I will definitely brew the second pouch.

Very foodish. It’s like drinking breakfast.

Not a huge fan of the Soba Cha. It smells like Sugar Smacks which is a lot of fun but the taste is just too bitter for me.

Forwent my gaiwan for this one in favor of a western style teapot.

The scent of the dry buckwheat berries is exactly like puffed wheat cereal (In the USA, think Golden Crisp, Honey Smacks, etc.) It also reminds me a bit of roasted soy nuts. What surprised me is how mellow this tea is. I was expecting an in-your-face experience like my last run-in with Houjicha.

The taste is pretty straightforward. Roasted, nutty, bready, grainy. The one element of the flavor that I wasn’t expecting is there is a sweet floral note above all the darker flavors. It is evident in both the taste and aroma. I’m not sure what type of flowers to compare it to. Maybe dandelions?

Either way, I really enjoyed this tea. I have to love that Steepster Select educates us by sending regional teas that are well known in their area, but many people outside have never heard of. Now I just need to go put some soba noodles and Worcestershire in the skillet! This tisane would pair wonderfully with them!

Edit: Tried it. Awesome. thumbs up

This was a deep roast indeed – very toasty (almost smokey) buckwheat flavor, nutty. The intensity mellows by the second brew. I liked mixing it with some sencha (Japanese green) tea to create a genmaicha-like flavor (although genmaicha is with popped rice, not buckwheat).

One of my new favorites!

ok did i not log this one? ADORE! hits all the right spots for me, bready, roasty, toasty goodness!

Mmm…As soon as I smelled this in the package, I was so excited to try it.
It’s scent and flavor are reminiscent of Kellogg ’ Honey Smacks.
The liquor is about the color of dirty water, but the roasted, sweet & nutty flavor
are extremely satisfying. Enjoying this to the fullest..

Back in my vegetatian/vegan days, we used to eat a lot of buckwheat at my house: Soba noodles, buckwheat pancakes, & Kasha (not to be confused with Kashi). I have a ton of tasty recipes that I miss, & I might have to try eating some Kasha soon, to see how it digests, since it’s not a true grain. Most buckwheat noodles have gluten in them, although I think Eden (or some other company that’s been around awhile) makes one that is 100% buckwheat.

So this tea was a trip down memory lane for me, like having a bowl of Kasha, without having to chew it. It’s not the first Soba Cha I’ve had, but I haven’t had one in awhile. A pleasant evening tea, roasty & sweet.

Very nice. A mic surprise this month for sure. A sweet bread flavor to it that coats the mouth. Love it. Would be a great pairing with food.

I am glad I tried this tisane in the morning because the dry berries smell like dark toast. Smells like a breakfast diner.
I like buckwheat grain and eat a lot of different grains with vegetables so I was intrigued about an herbal drink made from it!!! I am thoroughly enjoying this!!!!!!
It is nutty, warm, “breakfasty”. I didn’t add anything to it but I could see a maple syrup doing quite well in this. Delicious!

From the Steepster Select box, March 2014

Second Steeping —-OK making another pot of this and looking at a package of buckwheat that I have in my pantry. Buckwheat is very high in magnesium, manganese, B vitamins, etc. I love this tisane!!! It is a very reviving and healthy drink!!

The flavor with the second steeping is still very good. Still toasty and no bitterness. I think the best was in the first steeping. I added a touch of maple syrup to see what it would do and it wasn’t as “mapley” as I thought it would be and this tisane does have a natural sweetness so it doesn’t need it.