From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hōjicha
 |
| Type: |
Green |
|
| Other names: |
焙じ茶 hōji-cha, pan-fried / oven roasted tea |
| Origin: |
Japan |
|
| Quick description: |
Popular in Japan. Roasted Bancha or Kukicha tea, often used as an after-dinner tea. |
|
|
Infusion
|
| Temperature: |
82°C |
| Time: |
2-3 min (3 minutes 2nd infusion) |
| Number of infusions: |
2 |
| Quantity: |
4 teaspoons per litre |
Hōjicha (ほうじ茶, Hōjicha?) is set apart from other Japanese green teas because it is roasted over charcoal. The tea is fired at high temperature, altering the leaf colour tints from green to reddish-brown. The process was first performed in Kyoto, Japan in the 1920s and its popularity persists today. The roasted flavours are extracted and predominate this blend. Hōjicha is made from Bancha (番茶, "common tea"), tea from the last harvest of the season and considered a somewhat lower grade of green tea than sencha, and Kukicha, tea made from the twigs of the tea plant rather than the leaves. Hōjicha infusions have a light- to reddish-brown appearance, and are less astringent due to losing catechin during the high temperature roasting process. The roasting replaces the vegetative tones of standard green tea with a toasty, slightly caramel-like flavour. As both Bancha and Kukicha are low in caffeine, Hōjicha is a popular tea to drink before going to sleep. It is also frequently found at sushi restaurants, particularly kaitenzushi.
