Hojicha by Koukien (light roast) | green tea

TASTING NOTES: caramel, rice pudding, sesame biscuit 

This is organic Kirishimacha Hojicha that is harvested as asamushicha, a lightly steamed green tea that retains the fresh, delicate essence of the leaves. The tea is slow-roasted over gentle heat on a traditional houroku table lined with Japanese rice paper. This slow roasting makes this hojicha a lot less smoky; instead, it develops a subtle, nutty character with hints of caramel and sweet grains. 


PACKAGING:
Weight:
€9.00
Tax included.

Tea Region

Tea tree

Cultivar

Harvest

Picking & processing

Makizono town, Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture

Camellia sinensis sinensis

Saemidori

Spring, 2023

Asamushicha - lightly steamed. Light roast.

High in the pristine hills of Kirishima, Kagoshima, where mist rolls over lush tea fields, the Kawaguchi sisters cultivate a tea that honors both nature and tradition—Organic Kirishimacha Hojicha. This tea, crafted with care and dedication, tells the story of two sisters who have dedicated their lives to the art of tea-making, preserving the natural beauty of their homeland and the time-honored techniques of their ancestors.

At the Koukien Tea Garden, the sisters grow their tea organically, using no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, allowing the plants to thrive naturally. The result is a pure expression of Kirishima’s fertile soil and clean air. The tea is harvested as asamushicha, a lightly steamed green tea that retains the fresh, delicate essence of the leaves. But the magic truly begins with the roasting process. On a traditional houroku table lined with Japanese rice paper, the tea is slow-roasted over gentle heat, imbuing each leaf with a light, toasty warmth.

This slow roasting on the houroku—a traditional clay roasting pan—sets this hojicha apart. The tea is never overpowered by smokiness; instead, it develops a subtle, nutty character with hints of caramel and sweet grains. The sisters’ method is a dance of patience and precision, producing a hojicha that is light, refreshing, and uniquely tied to the terroir of Kirishima.

Rice crackers (Senbei)
The crunchy, salty-sweet taste of rice crackers pairs perfectly with the nutty, roasted notes of the tea, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Lightly salted edamame
The fresh, green taste of edamame complements the faint vegetal notes of the hojicha, while the light salting brings out the tea’s subtle sweetness.

Roasted sweet potatoes
The natural sweetness and caramelized edges of roasted sweet potatoes echo the tea’s toasty, sweet grain notes, making for a comforting and satisfying pairing.

Grilled fish or lightly roasted vegetables
The tea’s delicate roast pairs beautifully with simple, lightly grilled fish like mackerel or vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus, highlighting their natural flavors without overpowering them.

Tea character

Leaf
roasted chestnuts, lightly caramelized sugar, sweet roasted barley

Cup
freshly baked bread, roasted chestnuts roasting, wood-fired hearth.

Flavor
caramel, rice pudding, sesame biscuit 

How to brew

Temperature

Tea weight

Water amount

Steeping time

90 °C

3 gram

200ml

1 min+ (you can resteep 2-3 times)

Tea weight: 5 gram
Water amount: 500 ml
Water temperature: cold to room temperature
Steep time: 3 hours

These are broad guidelines, and you can definitely adjust the water amount, temperature, tea amount, and steep time depending on your own personal taste.

Instructions:

  1. If you have a tea bag, place the leaves inside the tea bag.
  2. Place the tea bag (or tea leaves) inside your bottle or jug
  3. Fill with water.
  4. Put the bottle / jug in the refrigerator.
  5. Drink within 24 hours.

What teaware to use