Sparkling Tea Saicho Hojicha, 20cl Japan

Hojicha, a roasted green tea originating in Japan, was created in Kyoto in the 1920s as a way of making use of the leaves, stems, stalks and branches left over from tea production. Sourced from the coastal mountains of Shizuoka Prefecture, this roasted green tea undergoes a traditional Japanese process. Second-harvest Sencha leaves are steamed, rolled and then carefully roasted, developing the characteristic toasted and umami flavours that make Hojicha so distinctive and inviting. Food Pairings “In short, both my partner and I loved the teas and our overall discussion revolved around how refreshing they would be in restaurants, both for guests wanting to drink something interesting and food-friendly without the booze, but also for sommeliers, giving them another string in their bow in terms of interesting pairings with food. Hojicha was my favourite. This was really interesting; I loved the savoury elements. Notes of pungent umami and savoury flavours, with lifted sweetness, reminiscent of wet autumn leaves. Food matches: pork, mushrooms, parmesan, roasted tomatoes, roasted nuts and asparagus.” — Honey Spencer, sommelier, wine consultant and co-founder of Bastarda Japan Region: Tenryu, Shizuoka Type: Green Tea Ingredients: 24-hour cold-brewed Hojicha tea (93%), white grape juice from concentrate, acid (citric acid), vitamin C, carbon dioxide. Nutritional information: Energy: 77 kJ/18 kcal · Protein: 1.0 g · Carbohydrates: 3.6 g, of which sugars: 2.8 g · Fat: <0.1 g, of which saturates: <0.1 g · Salt: <0.1 g · Caffeine: 7 mg. Produced in the United Kingdom.