I went out to eat in Japan and was served a cold drink (tea? I'm not sure) that was dark in colour (think houjicha) but tasted somewhat medicinal...maybe a little like root beer, I guess. Very light and refreshing.
I have no idea what it was and didn't ask at the time. For the record, it was served with soba noodles, if that makes a difference.
Can anyone tell me what this is and perhaps where I might get some?
Re: What Was I Drinking?
It is summer time and mugicha (Barley tea) is very in at the moment... could that perhaps be it? Could also be sobacha. What part of Japan is it? From color it could be a houjikukicha, although perhaps I doubt this one. It could be some random kenkoucha which is made with various roasted grains and herbs/medicinal elements.
What Was I Drinking?
Hmm I can get mugicha from ippodo. Never ordered from ippodo -- might take the opportunity.
Re: What Was I Drinking?
Yeah, nothing is really straight forward in these situations, sadly. However, in a soba restaurant, I wouldn't doubt they might have been serving you sobacha.Pig Hog wrote:Hmm I can get mugicha from ippodo. Never ordered from ippodo -- might take the opportunity.

What Was I Drinking?
I'm going to put an order in with ippodo as soon as I'm onto my next credit month. Mugicha for sure, I'll try their houji and genmaicha too and a good matcha because I'm bored of the same one I've had for the last couple of times.
Sencha I still have loads of right now.
Rather excited...!
Sencha I still have loads of right now.
Rather excited...!
Re: What Was I Drinking?
I'm overloaded with sencha too. You can't make too many bad purchases with ippodo surely. When you get the mugicha, I'd recommend cold brewing it too for a nice refreshing drink. I usually keep bags stuffed with mugicha to drop in a liter of water for cold brewing to have it on hand whenever I'd like. It is done in as little as 2 hours or you can keep it going for a stronger brew. If you like kukicha, I definitely recommend getting the kuki houjicha that ippodo carries.. Kuki doesn't seem to be too popular around here, but personally kuki and kuki houji are definitely at the top for me... I tried that matcha kuki last night for the first time and absolutely adored it.
Good luck and I hope you find out exactly what you were served! New tea purchases are always exciting, especially from now vendors. It could lead you down whole new pathways!
Good luck and I hope you find out exactly what you were served! New tea purchases are always exciting, especially from now vendors. It could lead you down whole new pathways!
What Was I Drinking?
I was going to get regular houjicha to directly compare with what I have open now. I love any kukicha though, so...
Re: What Was I Drinking?
It's difficult. I think I may actually prefer kuki houjicha over other varieties of houjicha. Although, every houjicha is quite unique and direct comparisons are plenty of fun. I had a blast last night doing a direct comparison of all my new sencha. Just for your consideration, the kuki houjicha is only 450-en at ippodo for 100 grams, which is quite the stellar price.Pig Hog wrote:I was going to get regular houjicha to directly compare with what I have open now. I love any kukicha though, so...