Nagasaki Organic Handpicked Houjicha

Houjicha (roasted Japanese green tea) is one of Japan’s most comforting teas—light, toasty, and easy to drink any time of day. But as much as we love it, it’s been surprisingly hard to find one that truly meets our standards.

Most houjicha (ほうじ茶) is made from summer leaves after the initial spring sencha production, and roasted heavily to compensate for the lack of flavor. It’s often flat, overly smoky, or just forgettable. That’s why we’ve passed on so many over the years.

But this  Nagasaki Organic Handpicked Houjicha is everything we’ve been searching for—and more.

Right away, you’ll notice the roasted nori and toasted black sesame aroma, followed by a deep, umami-rich body with a soft, slightly malty, rice-like finish that lingers long after the cup is gone. The texture is surprisingly thick for a houjicha—with a smooth, full body that is incredibly satisfying.

This tea is organic and made from handpicked, whole leaves—not machine-cut or leftover bits. That extra care to keep intact leaves results in a sweeter, more complex tea with no bitterness and the ability to be brewed up to 8-9 times while still delivering a rich and consistent experience (compared to the usual 3-4 brews).

It’s fantastic on its own but also shines when paired with food—especially grilled or roasted fish and meats, or with a savory snack. And here's a bonus: even after the flavor starts to fade and you are done drinking the tea, the roasted character sticks around enough to use the leaves for chazuke—a Japanese comfort dish made by pouring tea over rice, often topped with furikake, grilled fish, or pickled plum.

For a houjicha to check this many boxes—organic, handpicked, versatile, complex, with such a unique and memorable flavor profile—it’s rare. This tea made all our pickiness totally worth it.

How to Brew:
Use 4–5g in a 120–150ml kyusu or teapot. Brew with 204°F (95°C) water for 50 seconds. For additional infusions, steep 35–40 seconds. Easily good for up to 8 steeps.

An exceptional, handpicked organic houjicha with rich roasted sesame and nori notes, a thick and smooth texture, and no bitterness. Built for re-steeping, pairing with food, and even finishing as chazuke—it’s everything great houjicha should be.

Location: Nagasaki, Japan

Notes: Toasted Black Sesame, Roasted Nori, Mochi