Fukujen

Found this one in a Japanese market several months back, along with a gorgeous moss-green kyusu (Japanese tea pot with the side handle) and a few other teas.

It took me the longest time, and much trial and error, before I could consistently brew Japanese green teas well, but it’s paid off. They tend to have such crisp, cleansing flavors. I love drinking them in the evening.

This is a hojicha, so it’s a blend of roasted tea and roasted rice. So the flavor is this combination of grassy and, as one of my former bosses once described sake, “burnt rice krispies.” Normally I don’t like roasty flavors – I know a lot of people find them warm and comforting, but for some reason I feel them between my eyes.

This tea’s not my favorite, but I still kinda like it. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s nice and crisp or because I just like trying teas. I’d say it’s good quality.