Yuzu houjicha (柚子ほうじ茶) – Tozaka Chaen 50g

Yuzu Houjicha (柚子ほうじ茶), 50 grams

Blend of cultivars, mixed with dried pieces of Nagasaki-grown yuzu peel

Tea farmer Tozaka Koichi makes some of the smoothest houjicha teas we have encountered yet, but he also masters the art of blending these smooth teas with locally (Nagasaki prefecture) grown citrus fruit. In the hot summer weather we have become incredibly fond of both Tozaka’s Yuzu Houjicha and Dadai Houjicha blends.

Using dried peel from locally grown yuzu fruits, it creates a beautiful refreshing houjicha that is delicious both brewed hot or cold.

Brewed hot, the Yuzu houjicha is smooth and sweet. Think of spreading creamy lemon curd on a toasted scone. The tea is smooth, the aromatic oils of the yuzu linger in the mouth and there is no hint of astringency from the citrus peel.

A coldbrew of the Yuzu Houjicha changes the character, turning it into a more refreshing, zestier thirst quencher. Less sweet than brewed warm, the coldbrew brings out some herbaceous and woody notes: sage and cypress wood from the houjicha base are in equal balance with the refreshing yuzu.
Sip after sip the citrus oils slowly build and gently linger in the mouth leaving you with a delicious refreshing aftertaste.