This is a hojicha (roasted green tea) made from tea leaves that are picked after the first picking tea leaves are carefully selected and picked. Called “karigane tea” or “stem tea”, this tea includes a lot of tea stems and is characterized by a clean, clear taste.
Hojicha utilizes tea leaves that are aged for a year after they are picked. By aging the leaves for a year, the moisture left inside the leaves are uniformly reduced which allows for an even roast that yields a superior quality hojicha.
Only a very small amount of tea stalks can be produced and this is used as raw material in making this tea. It’s aromatic with a sweet fragrance. Relish its flavor unique to Tsuchiyama teas.