Houjicha is a popular Japanese green tea. The dark color is due to the roasting process, which smooths out the bitterness and brings out beautiful aromatic, savory, and smoky flavors. The roasting process also reduces the amount of caffeine to be less than decaffeinated tea. The Kinezuka Family crafts this tea from Spring leaves, harvested in May. These young, tender leaves yield a stronger, more robust flavor and the tea lasts for many more steepings. The warm, sweet flavors with savory undertones are reminiscent of salted caramel. Hojicha tea offers several potential health benefits, including aiding digestion, promoting relaxation, and potentially supporting heart health.