cookies Send Message

Compared with a nice loose-leaf Genmaicha this isn’t anything special, but as far as bagged teas go this is one one of my favorites. I like to keep this on hand when I know I won’t be around a kettle. You can pretty successfully brew it with hot water from those water coolers that most offices and schools will have around.
The green tea base is unremarkable but ultimately inoffensive. Not particularly bitter, grassy, floral, or anything that would have given it some character. If I didn’t know it was a sencha I probably wouldn’t have been able to guess. The rice gives some toasty-ness but is a bit stale tasting compared to my favorite loose genmaicha (Harney’s). But overall it makes for a decent brew under less-than-ideal conditions.

Well this is a really interesting tea. The dry leaf smells exactly as described, star anise with vanilla. It brews up to a pretty light yellow and smells mainly of vanilla with a bit of pepper. So far so good. As for the taste… huh. It’s a bit difficult to describe. The anise flavors are very muted with a mixed grassy & floral flavor up front, then strong vanilla right after.
I just kind of can’t make up my mind about it. I like the hints of vanilla, but there’s something a little off about it. I think it’s the vegetal-ness combined with how strong the vanilla comes through. I’ll finish off the rest of the sample and see how I feel about it. Maybe it’s a bit of an acquired taste?

This is one of my absolute favorite teas. I love hojichas in general, but adore hoji-kukichas even more. You can oversteep for what seems like days and never encounter any bitterness. Just a beautifully roast-y, caramel-y, toasted brew. Because of the low caffeine I often choose this one at bedtime or later in the night when I can’t sleep and I’ve never had trouble falling asleep afterwards. This is one of my always-on-hand teas that I just can’t imagine being without.

This one is not my favorite. Opening the can you’re hit with a strong whiff of pear that smells strikingly like green Jolly Ranchers. I actually love green Jolly Ranchers, but not mixed with my teas. In the cup the scent and flavor are much mellower, but for some reason the flavors don’t meld well for me. It’s like the black tea base and pear flavoring are completely separate layers that you taste at different times. It’s not awful, but I don’t think I’ll be having a second cup.

I feel like the odd man out with this tea. When I first found an interest in loose leaf teas I came across recommendations for this one quite often. Everyone seems to rave about it. After trying it (well, after buying a full tin) I have to admit it’s a little lost on me. It’s perfectly fine, but not something I would choose if there were other options available. I find it quite astringent, and the bergamot is absolutely indecipherable. It’s all berry and vanilla to me. I’ve been mixing it with Earl Grey just to use up the tin and have found it’s very nice that way, but I don’t think I will be making a second purchase of this one.