★★★★★
I love this tea. It has distinct notes of rice cake and toast. It leaves a lingering sweetness from the roasting of the tea. I find this to be almost a hybrid green tea in that it sips somewhat more like a mild black tea.
Green tea from Japan that is rendered brown by roasting Bancha (a summer crop tea, harvested after Sencha) tea leaves. An Adagio customer favorite, with a toasty nutty flavor and slightly mesquite note. Earthy and warm quality, soothing finish.
Customers use these reviews to describe their experience with Hojicha, including flavor, aroma, preparation preferences, strength, and how the tea fits into daily routines. Browse the full review history page by page to compare tasting notes, steeping tips, and favorite ways to enjoy this tea.
I love this tea. It has distinct notes of rice cake and toast. It leaves a lingering sweetness from the roasting of the tea. I find this to be almost a hybrid green tea in that it sips somewhat more like a mild black tea.
This is an interesting green tea, but you wouldn't be able to tell it's green from the look of it. It has a brown color due to the roasting process. It has a minor smoky flavor that's not overbearing. Also, it has a hint of sweetness to it. It's a great tea for those who are searching for a low-caffeine tea, a result of the roasting process.
Good nutty tea. Hints of wood. Really differents from other green teas.
Has a unique taste and a dark color. Its a nice different taste if you are a green tea drinker. Definitely worth a try
I guess these smoky cha teas are just not my thing. I had the same reaction to this one as I did with Genmai Cha. No matter how I brew them, the flavor reminds me of what the inside of a wet ashtray might taste like. Nothing at all like the grassy green teas that I love.
This is best for pairing with food. The roasted, smokey flavor is great when you're having dinner, but I don't care for it when I'm just sitting around watching TV or doing work because the roasted flavor is awfully strong.
A good classic green tea. Excellent for winter!
Very toasty, nutty flavor, but otherwise not striking. A good occasional cup, as I got tired of it quickly (even in sample size).
I did not like my first cup of this tea. It took me awhile to get back to it and when I did I found the taste much more appealing. It seemed to grow on me and now I like it very much when I just want a tea without additional flavors.
This is excellent. Great aroma. Big, deep earthy notes balanced by a sort of sweet smelling wood. A good mild body with taste equal to that of the aroma. Just what I'm looking for in my afternoon green tea.
One of my favorite green teas, but definitely a more acquired taste - has a richer, smokier taste, akin to a mild lapsang souchong. Great for cold winter days.
A good tea with a nice flavor. This one is one I might serve to others as an introduction to such teas.
Roasty and smooth this modern Japanese classic is a robust tea you could drink almost every day. I appreciate it's nuance and its comforting aromas.
interesting aroma of burnt or roasted wood. the nose and color delivered a surprisingly light bodied liquor. expected bitterness but was actually very smooth.
I like this tea a lot, but I'm not able to drink more than one cup at a time. Mesquite flavor may put some off.
a little smokey and very mellow. Try it even if you usually dislike green teas- it brews a beautiful amber color.
This one was pretty odd tasting. A bit smokey for my taste.
This has a heavier and nuttier flavor than most Japanese green teas. Great when you're looking for something a bit different or as an after-dinner tea.
A wonderful version of the classic staple hojicha. Brews up like a delicious sencha minus the bitterness and contains some great woody notes. Not woody in the sense of an oak aged wine or scotch, but more nature-y, like a walk in the woods on a fall day. I wouldn't recommend this for the morning, but this works great as an afternoon green when you can't decide between a green and an oolong.
I can not get over how much this tea taste like Smacks cereal, minus the sugar. If you put lots of honey in it, it may taste about equal. To someone not familiar with the cereal, I would equate it to a smokey, extremely earthy flavor. Did not suit me well.
Strong tea, a little to strong for my tastes. Reminded me of a black tea.
This and Jasmine are my favorite teas. If you're just getting into tea I'd strongly recommend Hojicha.
Hojicha is a tea that I come back for time and time again. I love the roasted/toasty flavor. Something about it is just very comforting for me.
Nice and malty, robust flavor. Reminds me of wuyi oolong.
One of my husband's daily teas.Well rounded flavor with a woody finish.
I did not like this tea. Very smokey. Much more than a gunpowder. If I put lots of honey in it, it was ok.
I have to admit when I first opened it, it smelled a little but like dirt. Overall it's a good basic green tea.
Fantastic tea, has a roasted taste similar to oolong #8, will buy more when my sample is out.
I love the roasted flavor of this tea. For those who find green teas too 'grassy' tasting, this would be a good alternative.
This tea is just okay. It does have a slight smokey flavor but the green tea is just not strong enough.
It had a sweet start and ended with a unpleasant aftertaste. The tea itself smelled nice, woudn't say the same with the taste.
The darkest of the Japenese Greens! A roasted-nutty flavor that's sure to please. A great start for getting into the Japenese teas.
The perfect amount of smokiness--has more flavor than the usual green tea. My new favorite! This will join Ceylon Sonata and Caramel Rooibos on my list of tea to always have on hand.
Malty, rich, has a wonderful grainy aroma. Loved it!
A little woodier than most greens, I liked it a little but it's far from my favorite.
This is a very interesting green tea. I love the hints of caramel along with the very slight hint of the Japanese grassy/herbal flavor.
Toasted and nutty in flavor, yet mild like a good Oolong.
makes me feel like i'm drinking seaweed, hopefully this will help to curb my expensive sushi cravings!
I didn't enjoy this very much. It tasted too smokey for me.
I really like this. I was afraid it might be too smokey, but it is not. Just right. Its very smooth and has a lot of character. I can't wait for it to come back in stock so I can order more.
Very pleasant, slightly smokey flavor. Very relaxing afternoon tea.
A nice new discovery, pleasant nutty roasted flavour great for rainy days.
A very different way to enjoy green tea. Don't be turned off by the unique appearance and smell of the leaves - this tea tastes excellent.
'Smoky' is probably a word that gets used a lot in describing this one. Kind of a darker depth than usual greens. Welcome change from those.
I really liked this, has a good nutty flavor. The lower caffeine content makes it a good evening drink.
A rich, spicy, smokey flavor. Very enjoyable. Reminds me of Pu-Erh slightly.
Love the unique toasted taste of this tea. Makes very good ice tea
Reminds of me a much more pleasant version of coffee...unique flavor.
While there is nothing particularly spectacular about this tea there is nothing particularly bad about it as well. If you enjoy black teas you might like this one.
This is my favorite tea. It's delicious. The roasting gives it almost a nutty, creamy flavor. Can drink plain, with sweetener, or with sweetener and cream.