Established in Hong Kong in 2020, Mindful Sparks focuses on creating ‘premium, locally produced, non-alcoholic, and artisanal sparkling tea. Each bottle of this sparkling tea is meticulously handcrafted to perfection at their production facility and experimental lab in Kwai Fong’.
This is the Mindful Sparks Sparkling ‘Ice Cream’ Houjicha. It features hōjicha from Uji, Kyōto, Japan.
The beverage was a translucent brown colour with a sweet hōjicha aroma, reminiscent of hōjicha ice cream, and had a high level of carbonation. Upon tasting, the robust roasted flavour of hōjicha came through at the head of each sip, quickly followed by delicate vanilla notes. This combination gave the drink a smooth mouthfeel with subtle creaminess, while the sweetness remained well-balanced, allowing the hōjicha and vanilla to shine. Towards the end of each sip, the bubbles became more prominent, providing a hint of gentle acidity before cleansing the palate for a crisp finish. The overall flavour achieved an elegant and refined representation of hōjicha ice cream as a ‘quality craft sparkling tea,’ deserving of its premium price.
This Mindful Sparks Sparkling ‘Ice Cream’ Houjicha contained 250 mL. It was produced in Hong Kong and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2023.