This is the Blueberry Hōjicha ($9.50; fixed ice, fixed sweetness) from Chanowa, featuring hōjicha shaken with blueberry purée. The beverage presented with an opaque red-purple hue, with visible blueberry purée concentrated at the base.
Initial contact delivered sweet blueberry with floral, citrus-like notes at the head. Through the mid-palate, the earthy toastiness of dark-roasted hōjicha emerged, while the blueberry developed a fresh, grassy note. The combination added layered, earthy complexity to the roasted tea base. Blueberry came through generously with each sip, although some larger pieces clogged the straw, while others remained at the bottom of the cup, providing a final snack. The aftertaste was refreshing and clean, without astringency.
Overall, a fruit tea with a layered progression from sweet, floral blueberry to nutty roasted hōjicha, with fresh, grassy notes adding earthy complexity. The generous fruit content complemented the tea without compromising the clean finish, making this a worthwhile repurchase despite occasional straw blockage.
This Blueberry Hōjicha was purchased from Chanowa in Sydney, Australia in October 2026.