Hojicha Green Tea (Japan)

A young monk asked the wise tea master Lao Cha:— Sensei, I want a green tea that is so roasted that it tastes more like Chinese hongcha – what Westerners call "black tea". Is it even possible to find something like this? — Of course, young novice. Haven't you heard of Hojicha tea with low caffeine content, made of roasted kukicha? It's one of the most popular teas in Japan!   Hojicha is a Japanese green tea with a unique production process. Hojicha is made by roasting kukicha (tea twigs) instead of tea leaves, which results in a tea with low caffeine content. Stems are packed with L-theanine – an amino acid that helps to relax and reduce stress and anxiety. Hojicha's particularly low caffeine content makes this Japanese tea the perfect choice for an after-dinner tea, safe even for kids. So, you can say that it's a caffeine-free green tea. Unlike other Japanese green teas that are only steamed, Hojicha tea goes through one more step: roasting. The long charcoal roast imparts a sweet, n