Green Tea is quickly becoming a well known choice among health sources. The tea contains naturally-occurring compounds called polyphenols that have powerful antioxidant properties. While all teas contain this, green tea contains the highest level of this ingredient.

Scientific evidence suggests that polyphenols may help in the prevention of certain types of cancer, lower the risk of heart disease and also help ward off things such as colds and the flu. There is also evidence that when used in sun block green tea may inhibit some types of skin cancer from forming. The Japanese National Cancer Research Foundation has even described green tea as the cheapest and most practical method of cancer prevention available to the general public.

Another added effect of green tea is that it is rich in fluoride, which assists in tooth decay prevention. Generally when steeping tea leaves some of the beneficial compounds may be lost, however with a variety such as the Ho-jicha available at this site most of these beneficial compounds are retained.

Ho-jicha (pan fried) is set apart from other Japanese green teas because it is roasted over charcoal. The tea is fired at high temperature, altering the leaf color tints from green to reddish-brown. The process was first performed in Kyoto, Japan in the 1920s and its popularity persists today. The roasted flavors are extracted and predominate this blend. Ho-jicha is made from Bancha (common tea), tea from the last harvest of the season. Ho-jicha infusions have a light- to reddish-brown appearance, and are less astringent due to losing catechin during the high temperature roasting process. The roasting replaces the vegetative tones of standard green tea with a toasty, slightly caramel-like flavor. As both Bancha and Kukicha are low in caffeine, Ho-jicha is a popular tea to drink before going to sleep. It is also frequently found at sushi restaurants, particularly kaitenzushi.

Pan-fried tea is the perfect tea. It benefits from a caramel/nutty, less astringent flavor, that is low on caffeine, and hasn’t lost the benefits of the green tea. We provide several different varieties of pan-fried (Ho-jicha) tea in our store for your consumption.

We recommend:

• Ashbys Japanese Pan-Fried Green Loose Leaf Green Tea (32 Ounce Bag)
  The leaves are lightly rolled and dried in a pan over a fire to give this tea a mild nutty and toasty flavor in addition to its complex but light meadow-like taste.

Other options:

• Ashbys Japanese Green Tea Bags, 20 Count Box
• Ashbys Japanese Green Tea Bags, 200 Count