Noma "Minekaori"

焙茶 Noma

Roasted On
Jan 2025 

Origin
Kaga, Ishikawa

Maruhachi Tea Factory was founded in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture in 1863. This tea factory has been making the finest roasted teas for six generations, from the Edo Period to the present day.

Noma is a collection of limited edition roasted teas designed by the  Maruhachi Tea Factory. Each season they release a special roasted tea in this series that is inspired by the time of year.

This seasonal hojicha is particularly special for two reasons. 

First, it is a blend of 5 rare varietals of tea, all of which are grown in very small quantities in Japan. Second, it is one of the very few Japanese teas that is actually pan-roasted to finish! We expect pan-roasting as a step in traditional Chinese teas, but it is much less common in Japanese teas. To make this hojicha the leaves of all five varietals are pan-roasted, resulting in a deeply integrated and gentle flavour. 

Each of the 5 varietals bring their unique taste to the finished tea: Minekaori brings the flavour of edamame and rice; Miyamakaori brings a soft, chestnut-like sweetness; Yamanami uplifts the tea with a refreshing astringency; Okuyutaka rounds the tea out with its richness and weighty mouthfeel; and Unkai imparts it with the muted umami flavor of cooked grains. 

In the gaiwan we see a beautiful and wild looking mixture of the various stems and leaves from all of the varietals. Even dry, it smells very fresh, telling us how recently these tea leaves were harvested for this special seasonal release. The liquor has a round mouthfeel, weighty on the palate, and a warm taste, like roasted grains. It reminds us a bit of our roasted black bean tea: soothing, nourishing, and unexpectedly complex. This is the perfect style of hojicha for spring, as it is refreshing, gently clearing, but not too cooling or stimulating to the body. 

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Brewing Guide