Edited Topic: How should I approach a tea return here?

Searching through their FAQ, I could not see anything related to dissatisfaction regarding taste. They do replacements, but I think that is only if things get lost and whatnot. I think your best bet is to contact them directly and explain it to them. They ought to do partial credit/refund if anything.

Too bad you didn’t like it! I have never had any hojicha from o-cha, but their matcha and sincha are really nice! You should post it to the stash sales or swap thread, and perhaps change the packaging it came in, just to let it shrug off any unwanted flavors. I hate when this kind of thing happens!

I doubt they will have you send it back. It’s not worth them paying return postage.

I dont know if you can return or ask for exchange simply because you didnt like it. its not tea for you, but its not the reason for return.

Yeah, but… I don’t think it’s just that I don’t like it. There’s a TON of dust in it, which makes me wonder if it got damaged because it was shipped in a padded envelope instead of a box. I am guessing that makes it seem darker and more like ashes than it would with less dust. I don’t know how much dust is too much, or how to tell for sure if it was damaged in the mail or if I just don’t like it. But this is much more dust than I’ve seen in other houjichas. It’s also cheaper than what I’ve paid for others, so is that to be expected?

If you paid for whole leaf tea and got dust you may have a case. If you simply don’t like it, well then its up to them. It depends on how much they want your business.

Houjicha has a range from a more powdery texture to whole leaf. However, I think you have a legitimate complaint in the packaging. I would email them and say your package was damaged due to the envelope.