Originally created in Kyoto about a hundred years ago, Hojicha is a unique Japanese tea. It is roasted at high heat in a porcelain pot over charcoal, instead of steamed like most other Japanese teas. This high-temperature roasting process produces a lovely reddish-brown colored leaf and a light toasted, nutty, sweet, and slightly caramel-like flavor. When you open the bag the aroma is similar to toasted rice, sweet, dark, rich, and floral. Roasting the leaves creates a tea with a much lower caffeine content than green tea, making Hojicha an incredibly popular after-dinner tea, or relaxing evening tea. Its mild flavor makes this brew incredibly complimentary, Hojicha truly is a wonderful tea for any time of the day.