TasTEA Time! Yamamotoyama Hoji-Cha

Tommy kept on kneeding this blanket so I couldn't really get a good picture of  him...

...but I did get a cute picture of him when he fell asleep after having fun.  D'aww.

What:  Roasted Green Tea

Where:  Japan

Why Should I Care:  I really liked the Genmai Cha (tea with brown rice kernels) and I figured that this would have a similar toasty, savory taste to it.  This particular brand is easy to find and relativley cheap for the quality you're getting, so I figured I'd give it a shot.

Packaging:  Despite being pretty cheap, the sachets are all foil-wrapped (it even says so on the box).  Other than that, there really isn't anything special.

Non-Taste Senses:  Despite being green tea, the color is closer to oolong and there's a little bit of a toasty smell to it.

Taste:  Although not as good as the genmai cha, this defiantly has its merits.  Instead of tasting fresh, this has a bit of a charcoal taste to it, but that adds to this savory aroma.  I think this is something that should be drunk during a meal and with a bit of sugar.  It's not that great iced, drinkable, but nothing special.

Overall:  It's worth a shot.  The quality is good and it would be nice with a light meal.  If you see it at your local oriental market and there's no genmai cha, pick it up.

My Rating:  Try it!  Here's the site.

TasTEA Time! Yamamotoyama Genmai Cha Decaf

What:  The coolest name I've ever seen!  Also, green tea with brown rice kernels 

Where:  The company originated from Japan but the US branch is located in California

Why Should I Care:  I know most people are familiar with herbal tea and fruit tea, but tea flavored with rice?  It sounds weird to...a lot of people, but this is actually a fairly common type of tea (I've seen it in every online tea shop that sells a decent variety of Asian-style tea).  I really wanted to try this and have seen it at every Oriental Market I've been at.  This brand was relatively inexpensive (17 cents per bag) so I figured why not?

Packaging:  Individually paper/foil wrapped.

Non-taste senses:  It's slightly golder than your typical Japanese Green Tea.  The smell is strong.  I've heard that this has a similar taste to popcorn and I'd say it smells like it, but healthier.  If anything, I think it smells more like kasha or quinoa but nobody knows what those are (whole grains).

Taste:  The green tea portion is good.  Not great, but nice.  There's a nice nutty flavor to it that adds a bit of a savory taste to it.  I really like it.  I think that it would go great with winter meals or more heavily-spiced foods.  Despite the muskier, nuttier taste, sugar goes well with it although I don't know if it'd taste good iced.

Overall:  If you like green tea and want something different, try it.

My Rating:  Try it!  Here's the website.  I really want to try Hojiicha eventually.