Each morning I arise to enjoy a cup of Houjicha Japanese green tea. This special tea is roasted to give it a toasty, nutty flavor. Houjicha has no bitter taste and is very aromatic, as well as being light on the palate. This tea also contains a surprise, it is lower in caffeine and tannin when compared to other green teas. This is because bancha is courser and contains some stalks and stems and is roasted at a high temperature. Houjicha is mild enough that Japanese parents give it to their children and it is also served in many hospitals.

This brings me to my “reflection” of this morning. I am waking up with a cup of tea that is extremely low in caffeine and am still feeling the sleep leave my body and my brain waking up to face the day. So, maybe caffeine is not what we need, but a beverage with a wonderful taste and fresh aroma to get us ready for the day.

To really enjoy this special tea purchase the bancha grade, since the kukicha grade (known for its stems and twigs) is much lower and you will not enjoy the richness of the cup.