Hojicha

A bit earthy, nutty, and smooth – this makes a good cup. I prepared it as I would a typical green and am happy with the result.

Warm, toasty, nutty, a bit like barley. The umami is great. It has a seaweedy, fishy flavor to it as well. It reminds me of genmaicha, but better and roasty.

70C/80C
30s/30s

Steeped uncovered in gaiwan. Medium-colored liquor.

The first time I drank this I didn’t mind it, but it’s not doing it for me this time. The leaves themselves smell burnt to me, and the first steep tastes artificial. There is nuttiness and a roasted taste there, it just doesn’t taste authentic to me.

The second steep is a little bit better, but not by much. I think it’s just not for me. I’ve got 8 grams left of this, but I don’t see myself drinking it.

I enjoyed this a lot – it definitely smells roasted, and almost has a hint of smoke. I am not a huge fan of smokey tasting teas, but this was just enough. It was bready and delicious, and makes me want to try out others of its type.

This is a delicious tea on its own and in blends. There are strong nutty and roasted flavors throughout the process. In the bag it smells like dry grass in the best way possible. Brewed, there is still the grassy green core but with strong toasted overtones. As someone who tends to prefer black teas, this is a great green to explore since it still has deeper flavors beyond grass green. I’ve noticed with later brewings that there is also gentle marzipan and floral tones that add just a touch of graceful sweetness. Honestly one of my favorite teas, green or black.

Roasty and nutty with hints of baked sweet bread and caramel. This houjicha is rather mild, smooth and agreeable. The empty teacup after drinking smells like waldorf salad (weird, I know, but that’s what comes to mind, and I like it), while the brewed leaves smell like nori. My first experience with houjicha (a different brand) was kind of terrible, ended up tasting like coffee, despite having followed the brewing instructions that came with it. I have done a little research and honed my skill for brewing it this time around and I find that this produces quite a nice tea.

I’m not super familiar with hojichas, but this one seems decent. Not amazing, but it has a good roasty taste, slightly caramely and isn’t bitter. I’d love to try an Adagio flavored hojicha sometime.

2 sips.. then dumped. I do not like this campfire tasting teas…

I liked this tea—so far it’s my favorite among the Greens I’ve tried which tend to be either too smokey (Gunpowder) or too vegetal (Dragonwell or Sencha) for my tastes. This one had a nutty, warm taste to me. When I ran out I tried another Hojicha, this time from TeaSource. I found I prefer the one from Adagio. TeaSource’s has an earthier, maltier taste and I prefer Adagio’s mellower taste.

Not a big fan of Hojicha. I thought i would like the roastiness, but it’s not a real nutty or toasty roastiness like coffee> I find it rather dull.