Japan: Light Roast Hojicha

Light roast hojicha from Kyoto offering a gentle balance of sweetness, toasted warmth, and lingering green freshness.

This elegant hojicha is crafted from shaded sencha leaves rather than the more common bancha, resulting in a more refined and expressive cup. A careful, lighter roast preserves the tea’s natural sugars and umami while introducing soft, nutty aromatics. The infusion is clear and golden, with a delicate interplay between toasted notes and subtle vegetal brightness.

Unlike darker hojicha styles that lean heavily into roast, this tea maintains a graceful lift, sweet, smooth, and quietly complex. Notes of toasted hazelnut and malt are complemented by a clean green finish, creating a balanced profile that evolves across multiple infusions. Naturally low in caffeine due to the roasting process, hojicha is widely enjoyed as a calming, evening-friendly tea with minimal bitterness.

ideal for: Evening drinking, low-caffeine tea seekers, green tea drinkers exploring roasted styles, refined and lighter roast profiles

Origin: Kyoto, Japan

Cultivar: Saemidori

Flavor Profile: Toasted hazelnut, malt, light roast, gentle sweetness, soft umami, warm grain, subtle green, clean finish

Preparation: 3-5 g tea, 85°C (185°F), 250 ml (8 oz) water, 1-2 minutes

For the best-tasting tea, use high-quality or filtered/bottled water