Tea Review: Hojicha (My Green Tea)

Hojicha
My Green Tea
Type: Green
Origin: Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture
Product Description: Pan fired roasted caffeine-free stem and leaf tea.  The browned leaves are imbued with a savory fragrance.  A great nighttime tea.

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

The dry leaves have an aroma of roasted nut shells with hints of cocoa and caramelized sugar.

The coppery infusion has an aroma of roasted nuts, fire-seared wood, and fire-roasted vegetables with a taste of roasted nuts.

The finish throughout is sweet and mouthwatering.  The first two steepings were flavorful and the third steeping, while significantly lighter, was also enjoyable.

Tea Review: Sencha (My Green Tea)

Sencha
My Green Tea
Type: Green
Origin: Japan, Shizuoka
Product Description: A simply elegant emerald green leaf tea. Considered to be the most popular green tea.

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

The dry leaf aroma is savory with notes of green grass, chestnuts, and cocoa.

The bright green infusion has an aroma that is savory, buttery, nutty, and green with notes of macadamia nuts and almond butter.  The taste is savory umami, nutty, and green with notes of cooked edamame and mild astringency.

I reduced the steeping time to 1 minute after the first infusion with good results.  After the first steeping, the tea developed more astringency with a sweet cocoa finish.  The umami stuck around throughout three steepings and I would expect it to provide a few more flavorful infusions.