{"title":"Tōzaka Chaen Teas","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"japan-tozaka-chaen-winter-hojicha","title":"Japan - Tōzaka Chaen - Winter Hōjicha","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElevation: \u003c\/strong\u003e250-350m\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCultivar\u003c\/strong\u003e: Yabukita\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.chadodo.co.uk\/pages\/tozaka-chaen\"\u003eTōzaka Chaen\u003c\/a\u003e's Winter Hōjicha \u003cspan\u003e(冬ほうじ茶) \u003c\/span\u003eembodies the heart and warmth of Nagasaki, Japan's \u003cstrong\u003eSonogi\u003c\/strong\u003e region. Produced from what is known as a \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eshūtōbancha (秋冬番茶)\u003c\/strong\u003e - the final harvest of the year that takes place from the end of autumn in early October to the start of winter in early November, hōjicha is the speciality of the farmer \u003cstrong\u003eKoichi Tōzaka (東坂幸一)\u003c\/strong\u003e, which he tells us is his favourite type of tea.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDelightfully nutty with notes of toasted sweet bread and umami rice cakes, with a subtle roasted woodiness and a smooth and sweetly caramel finish. This tea has a comforting complexity that can only be achieved through the natural cultivation techniques employed. Its pectin content, as explained by Tōzaka-san as a feature of the winter harvest and the temperature differences between day and night, results in a tea lacking in astringency and bitterness with a rich body.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of the most requested teas for us to feature from the region, the Cha Dodo family visited Tōzaka-san at his home to bring this incredible tea back with us.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Editor_t__not_edited__WuRP8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Editor_t__not_edited_long__JuNNx\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreat Taste Award Winner:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThis tea earned a 1 star award at the Great Taste Awards in 2026. Here is what the judges had to say about the tea:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA very accessible tea, easy drinking and sweet. Soft and gentle, well balanced. The judges appreciated the smoothness, the mellow profile was enjoyed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA pleasant, gentle Hojicha, sweet and gently roasty with suggestions of nut and caramel. The flavour persists nicely on the palate, with the final light astringency inducing a light dryness as described. Easy to enjoy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe whole leaves with stalks and all produce a light amber liquor. The flavour is lightly roasted along with a hint of smokiness and caramel notes. With low astringency and some sweetness, this is a balanced and enjoyable tea to drink.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Editor_t__not_edited__WuRP8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Editor_t__not_edited_long__JuNNx\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInfusion Recommendations:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis tea can be infused \u003cspan class=\"Editor_t__added__LtuNJ\"\u003eat least\u003c\/span\u003e three times, with each infusion \u003cspan class=\"Editor_t__added__LtuNJ\"\u003ebringing\u003c\/span\u003e deeper layers of flavour, and passionate tea lovers may even \u003cspan class=\"Editor_t__added__LtuNJ\"\u003efind\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"Editor_t__added__LtuNJ\"\u003efurther \u003c\/span\u003ecomplexity \u003cspan class=\"Editor_t__added__LtuNJ\"\u003eon\u003c\/span\u003e each brew. Use hotter water for subsequent brews and adjust brewing time for desired strength.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eIt is also pleasantly resilient to long boils to produce a much stronger, fortified brew.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Editor_t__not_edited__WuRP8\"\u003eAlso excellent cold brewed overnight by either having 8-12g of tea in a 1 litre jug of water placed in the fridge over 8-12 hours, or by first brewing this quantity with hot water then allowing to cool first before refrigerating. Adjust quantity to taste.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tōzaka Chaen","offers":[{"title":"50g","offer_id":52034995978578,"sku":"JP-TOZAKACHAEN-WH-50G","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0896\/6121\/0962\/files\/tozaka-chaen-winter-hojicha-face.jpg?v=1763736291"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.chadodo.co.uk\/collections\/tozaka-chaen-teas.oembed","provider":"Cha Dodo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}