Ao Hōjicha | 青ほうじ茶

We stumbled upon this distinctive tea during our quest for unique finds in Kyushu, and it really stands out from the crowd. We call this a "Sencha and Hōjicha baby" with an extra special Kyushu twist. 

Here's the scoop: the tea uses tamaryokucha, or 'coiled green tea,' a close relative to sencha that retains a natural curled shape by forgoing the final shaping process. Kyushu is one of the few remaining area that produces this unique tea.

Secondly, the tea is enhanced by lightly roasting the leaves, adding a rich, roasted note similar to hōjicha that complements the fresh, grassy undertones of the green tea. It's a delightful Kyushu-inspired creation with a balance of complex flavours.

The roast notes make a delightful appearance towards the end. This tea is a perfect choice for those looking for a green tea with an extra dimension.

Did you know?: In Japanese, "Ao" can mean blue or green, depending on the context. Here, it conveys the fresh, green taste that is a feature of this special hōjicha.