Houjicha Cardamom

Origin: Shizuoka and Kagoshima Prefectures, Japan 
Cultivar: Yabukita 
Harvest: May 2022 (roasted in February 2023) 
Elevation: 300m 

This winter we developed a series of unique houjicha blends that are warming and comforting. Houjicha is a category of Japanese green tea defined by its level of roasting. Green tea leaves and stems are hot roasted and transformed by way of the Maillard reaction, similar to the caramelization of a properly baked sweet potato or striking the right roast in coffee.

We selected a deeply roasted and sweet lot of houjicha made from the prime first flush harvest. This lot provides a deep and rich sweetness. Combined with the intoxicating fragrance and presence of green cardamom, this houjicha is warming and refreshing with a multi-floral scent. Cardamom is known as the queen of spices and imbues the blend with amazing notes of wintergreen, camphor, eucalyptus, mint candies and the one-of-a-kind aroma that only cardamom delivers. This blend is brimming with warm nostalgia and amazing mood boosting aromas.

Add 4g−5g to a small (200ml−290ml) kyusu teapot.  
Use 190°F water.  
Infuse for 1−2 minutes and decant.  
Repeat for another 1−2 infusions for 1 minute.