Soba-Cha - Buckwheat Tea Bags

While the caffeine in tea behaves differently from a chemical perspective—mostly down to its bond with an amino acid called L-theanine—and produces a different feeling (less jittery and more calming) in many drinkers than that caffeine found in coffee or soft drinks, there are still some guests who come visit us at our Tea Master Matcha Café and Green Tea Shop in Downtown Los Angeles and ask for non-caffeinated options. Since we are always looking to help our guests venture further into Japanese culture, we knew we wanted to offer an option for a beverage that was a regular part of life in Japan. Popular non-caffeinated herbal tisanes like chamomile and rooibos are available in Japan but they aren’t exactly commonplace. Thankfully, there is one herbal option that is widely available and beloved in Japan: soba cha.

Like the popular noodles that bare the same name, soba cha (そば茶) is made from buckwheat and served in Japan throughout the year to people of all ages, at all times of day. Whereas mugi cha (麦茶- barely tea) is often the preferred tisane to serve cold in Japan during the summer time, soba cha is usually the preferred tisane to serve hot, sometimes even substituting in place of water at restaurants and people’s homes, especially during the colder winter months. Our Soba Cha Buckwheat Tisane (Non-Caffeinated Herbal Tea) has a nutty aroma and a full-bodied, rich, woody flavor reminiscent of a less intense gingerbread. It is an excellent tisane to serve after a meal with desert or as a calming beverage after a long workday. Because it’s made from tartary buckwheat grown in Hokkaido (北海道), the northernmost island of Japan, our soba cha contains more than 200 times the amount of rutin as common buckwheat. Soba Cha Buckwheat Tisane (Non-Caffeinated Herbal Tea) comes in bags, making it easy and convenient to brew, another reason why our guests return to this tisane often after they give it a try.

PREPARATION:

While most of our guests prefer our Soba Cha Buckwheat Tisane (Non-Caffeinated Herbal Tea) brewed with boiling water it can also be poured over ice, put in the fridge, or simply added to any temperature water to bring on the go.

Some of our guests use one bag for hot brewing (in a mug or small tea pot) and two bags for cold brewing in a larger pitcher overnight. No need to be delicate or careful with this tisane, it’s extremely tough and forgiving when it comes to brewing parameters. It’s almost impossible to over-steep or brew into a bitter or astringent drink.

Note that there is no string attached to the end of this bag—that is because you never need to take it out of the water until you’re ready to throw it away. It will not over-steep. Please visit our FAQ to read more about the difference between bagged and loose-leaf tea as well as a little about the difference between a tea and a tisane.

·   We believe every tea is an invitation to enjoy, explore, and educate. We invite you to be a Tea Master, no matter where you are on your tea journey, and discover a way to prepare this tea that works for you and your tea guests.

TASTING HAIKU:

A field of grain

So warm, so vast

Resting easy

FLAVOR PROFILE:

Richness: 3/5

Bite: 1/5

Aroma: 3/5

Vibrancy: 3/5

Umami: 2/5

ORIGIN:

Hokkaido Prefecture 北海道

Hokkaido Region 北海道

Japan日本

DETAILS:

Size:

15 bags grams (each of approximately 3 oz)

PACKAGING

Resealable plastic bag