Saicho Hojicha

Origin of the style. Hojicha as a tea style originated in Kyoto in the 1920s as a way of utilising leftover leaves, stems, stalks and twigs. The name of the parent brand, Saicho, references a Japanese monk credited with bringing tea to Japan from China.^[1]

Nose. The nose shows rich wood, blackcurrant leaf and orange blossom.^[2]

Palate. The palate carries a deep umami character with notes of nori seaweed, roasted hazelnut and delicate smoke, alongside dry and woody tannins. The roasted umami richness has also been described as carrying a muscatel-like brightness.^[3],[4]

Structure. ^[5]

• Tannin: dry and woody
• Complexity: deep umami character with roasted, smoky and seaweed notes

General pairings. Its roasted umami character complements umami-rich dishes such as mushroom risotto. Broader pairing suggestions include sushi, pork, mushrooms, parmesan, roasted tomatoes, roasted nuts and asparagus.^[2]

Specifications. Saicho Hojicha is a non-alcoholic single-origin sparkling tea. It contains no alcohol, is low-calorie, and carries 7mg of caffeine per serving.^[6]

• Classification: single-origin sparkling tea, non-alcoholic
• Caffeine: 7mg per serving

Ingredients Policy. The drink contains no alcohol, no preservatives, no artificial colours and no added sulphites. It is vegan-friendly and halal certified.^[6]