A few weeks ago, Cameron B. (if I am not wrong) had hojicha with roasted rice. That sparkled my interest that much that I just started to search for something similar — available for me. Luckily, Yunomi when it comes to Japanese teas, they have almost everything, including this interesting combination.
This tea perfectly fits autumn season. Not only on its expected flavour profile, but (and not only) its aroma, colour (dry leaf and liquor), mood, style, preparation, et cetera. I have prepared it western, 7 grams for my favourite 300 ml glass mug. They suggest 5 g / 200 ml. I was trying to use temperature around 90°C, but I haven’t used thermometer (as it seems it is very off). And steeped for minute (and with later steeps some seconds extra). 3 steeps as suggested. However, I am drinking the last steep and I think one can do more steeps.
This golden liquid is made from roasted tea, roasted rice and tastes, roasty. However, the aromas — as they are the first you notice, as it is too hot to drink; are somewhere between autumn leaf, roasty, definitively popcorn but also green tea notes appear such as floral notes and I am thinking about meadow and hints of petrichor maybe as well. Last one can be affected by weather outside.
In flavour, it’s more straightforward, however not boring at all. I already mentioned roasty notes, but also nutty, cereals and sweet notes, however not honey-like, nor sugar-like.
Well, this tea hits all the marks for autumn cuppa. I need more. Hopefully it will be available next year again.
