Don’t let the brown color and odd appearance of this tea fool you, it is indeed a green tea! Houjicha is a very popular type of tea in Japan. Most green teas are steamed, Houjicha is roasted. This roasting process minimizes any bitter taste and brings out the savory, smoky, nutty flavors. This particular Houjicha is crafted from leaves harvested in Autumn by roasting the leaves and stems. The roasting also minimizes the amount of caffeine, making it a good option for children. The brewed tea has a caramel brown color and a nutty smell.
NaturaliTea is owned by the Kinezuka family in Shizuoka, Japan. Their tea is grown at an altitude of 1,150 feet (350 meters). The Kinezuka family has been practicing natural farming techniques since the 1970’s and their family is highly respected in Japan for this. Ayumi, the eldest daughter, is now running the farm. She graduated from an American University but returned to Japan to carry on the family business and to help keep tea farming alive in Japan.