AMA Brewery Elusive Cuvée Vol. 1 Houjicha
AMA Brewery Elusive Cuvée Vol. 1 Houjicha
AMA Brewery’s Elusive Cuvée Vol 1 is made with Rare Tea Company’s distinctive Houjicha toasted green tea. While it begins life as delicate green tea in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, the tea is eventually plucked and roasted in a large, typically porcelain pan at high heat. This transforms the delicate leaves into a rich tea with a unique profile of smoky, caramelized flavors.
The tisane is sweetened and inoculated with a small amount of the previous kombucha, preparing it for the addition of the SCOBY. Once the SCOBY has been added, it is fermented for between one and three weeks. This fermentation is gently temperature-controlled to naturally discourage the production of alcohol. When it reaches the perfect balance of partial fermentation, the tea is bottled, moving it into its final phase of transformation.
As with traditional pétillant naturel, the bottle is the perfect environment to finish fermentation, turning remaining sugar into natural carbonation, that the aging process, in turn, develops into fine bubbles. While it does not ferment entirely dry, this bottle-conditioning produces a gastronomic beverage that is drier and with lower acidity than traditional kombuchas, with a Champagne-like texture ideal for food pairing.
AMA’s Elusive Cuvée Vol. 1 Houjicha is bottle-aged for two years at the brewery before being released into the market, with the ability to improve and evolve further in bottle for up to three years longer. The longer it ages, the smaller and more refined the bubble. This Elusive Cuvée has a limited production of only 1000 bottles worldwide, making it a rare find worth savoring carefully.
Flavor Profile – Flirty, integrated bubbles show a profile of caramel, notes of toasted grains, cocoa, chicory and delicate smoke.
Usage – Serve in white wine glasses at traditional Champagne temperatures. Works beautifully with rich dishes including charcuterie and smoked fish, or with autumnal or winter flavors, especially roasted or barbecued products. The miniscule AMA SCOBY present in each bottle can be served or removed.