Premium Organic Japanese Loose Leaf Hojicha

Caramel coated cacao rice crips with a warm cedar smoke finish, Tea Stop's Premium Organic Japanese Loose Leaf Hojicha, a must have in any tea drinkers collection.

This Premium Organic Japanese Loose Leaf Hojicha comes from the Famous Uji Tea Region located in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, the historical home of Japanese Tea Culture. Tea was as first introduced to Kyoto in 804 AD (Heian Period) by Buddhist monks that brought Tea and Tea Brewing Techniques from Tang Dynasty China. Tea seeds were introduced to Kyoto in 1191 AD to start Tea Cultivation in Japan. In 1460, Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu would promote Uji tea as being a favourite of his and his followers. Uji would become the most popular tea producing region in all of Japan and develop new tea cultivation techniques and tea culture. These developments include;

• Ōishita Saibai, shaded method used for Tencha and Matcha
• Wabi-Cha, a Style of Tea Ceremony that emphasises simplicity

Uji's mountain climate is Moderate with humid warm days and cool nights. Fog and mist roll in from Uji River providing tea gardens with diffused sunlight. Clay rich soil retains moisture and is rich in minerals. All of these factors contribute to Uji's unique Terroir and Flavour to its tea.

Hojicha was first created in 1902's (Showa Era) when Kyoto Tea Merchants started roasting their old surplus stock of green tea to create a new type of tea to sell as not to let old tea go to waste. The roasting process reduces the bitterness of the green tea through maillard reaction thus giving the tea its signature brown colour, aroma and flavour.

Region: Japan, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture, Uji City

Tea Varietal: Camellia Sinensis Var. Sinensis

Tea Cultivar: Yabukita

Tea Type: Roasted Green Tea

Roast: Medium Roast

Tea Grade: Bancha (Mature Leaves)

100% Pure (Certified) Organic Loose leaf Tea

**Organic** | **Vegan** | **Gluten-free**
**Sugar-free**