Kyoto "Akishun" Fall Houjicha

Got a sample of this from the Steepster select boxes on sale.

This really is such a nice fall tea. The aroma is fall leaves and roasted brown rice. It’s a very comforting tea, great for a fall day. I should have had it on the week-end when it was soooo cold. Now it’s sunny out and the temperature is going back up.

So the taste is very roasty- like a brown rice roasted. It’s not a dark roast because this is a green tea so it’s lighter. It brews up a dark golden and is a bit astringent.

It’s not the kind of tea I would reach for often but I still enjoy it.

As is customary with Japanese food (and drink as well) the flavors are very fall like. The dry leaf had a smell of autumn leaves, and the sweet nutty liquor has flavors of hay, roasted hazelnuts, and brown rice. It was a lighter, more delicate flavor than I am used to with my usual robust, in your face Hojicha. All in all a refreshing cup of tea that will pair well with any fall food.

I have been drinking a variety of Houjicha teas over the past few months, and this Kyoto “Akishun” Fall tea is truly one of the best for my taste buds. When you look at the leaves, you can tell this is a green tea, that has been roasted carefully to bring out it’s distinct flavor. The aroma (dry) is nice mix of toasted rice, nuts, and hay that accurately reflects the flavor yield when you brew. A nice accompaniment for onigiri rice balls or just on its own any time of day. A really comforting tea.

Really enjoyed this tea with its well balanced flavors and warm hints of nutty roasted rice. I enjoyed this a lot at a lower temperature and got great flavor which mellowed nicely after a few additional steeps.

From the Steepster Select Box; October, 2014

OK, last time I tried this style tea, I didn’t care for it but this one looks a little bit less stick and twiggy and it has more of a Bancha look to it with some sticks and twigs thrown in there.
Liquor is hay yellow color and it’s clear. It has that toasted rice scent.
The flavor is toasted rice and well-roasted nuts.
This is waaaaaaaaayyyy better than the last houjicha I tried. It is good for a complete change in flavors and I am thoroughly enjoying this toasty, comforting cup,,,but then I’m back to my more delicate green teas lol.

From the Steepster Select Box; October, 2014