Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Tea Review: Yakushima Cedar Wood Smoked Hojicha (Kaneroku Matsumoto-en/Yunomi)

Yakushima Cedar Wood Smoked Hojicha (燻製焙茶)
Yunomi/Kaneroku Matsumoto-en
Type: Flavored Green
Origin: Japan, Shizuoka, Shimada
Product Description: Smoked using cedar wood from Yakushima Island

Temperature: 175° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 2 minutes

The dry leaves have a bold aroma of wood smoke, reminiscent of a smokehouse or campfire.

The copper orange infusion has a bold and spicy aroma of wood smoke with peppery notes.  The taste is smoky yet mild, reminding me of wood-smoked food, with a long and mildly smoky finish.

This tea reminded me distinctly of the lakeside campground I used to visit when we would fend off the morning chill around the campfire while smoke from neighboring camps drifted in.   The bold aroma suggests an equally bold taste, so I was pleasantly surprised by how it mellowed within seconds on the tongue.  I would definitely enjoy this paired with food like brie or cheddar cheese, as well as with breakfast.

This tea was provided as a free sample without guarantee of a review.




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