This is the Chōjuen Tea Mode Yamagata Sakuranbo Hōjicha.
The blend combined hōjicha produced in Japan with black tea from Sri Lanka and powder made from cherries grown in Yamagata Prefecture.
Steeping a 1.5 g tea bag in 200 mL of water at 85ºC for 1 minute produced a transparent brown-red infusion with a bright, tangy red cherry aroma.
When consumed hot, the tea opened with a vivid red cherry note, capturing the fruit’s sharp, tangy quality without imparting overt sweetness or acidity. Mid-sip, the roasted, gently sweet notes of the hōjicha emerged, deepening the overall profile and grounding the fruitiness in a toasty warmth. The interplay between the roasted tea base and the tart fruit notes created a sense of depth and refinement, leading to a smooth finish where the cherry lingered softly in the aftertaste.
Overall, an elegant and well-balanced blend that captured the delicate vibrancy of Yamagata’s sakuranbo while maintaining the smooth roasted character of hōjicha.
This Chōjuen Tea Mode Yamagata Sakuranbo Hōjicha contained 12 g (1.5 x 8 tea bags). It was produced in Japan and purchased in Yamagata , Japan in 2024.