Blockbuster Bob (green tea)
Blockbuster Bob (green tea)
Ingredients: Houjicha green tea, marshmallow root, calendula flowers
Good for: Movie buffs and wrestling fans
Tastes like: Popcorn; sweet and roasted
Makes you feel like: You’re #1 at the box office!
Art by: Billi French
85 grams / 22 servings (1 tbsp per 8 oz water)
All ingredients organic., except Houjicha which is grown naturally, but without certification. Contains a small amount of caffeine (~1/10 a cup of coffee). This tea can be re-steeped for multiple infusions.
Houjicha is grown by NaturaliTea in the Nakayama Village of Shizuoka, Japan.
Recommended brewing: 175° for 2 minutes
Rich, roasted green tea that tastes like a trip to the movies
Blockbuster Bob is dedicated to my brother, Bobby, who is a HUGE movie lover. He can do “6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon” with any two actors you give him. He also offers unsolicited and hilariously absurd celebrity look-a-likes with every new face he meets. Don’t worry, he somehow sees the best in everyone.
Bobby’s also a die hard wrestling fan. His dedication is uncompromised. While Bobby enjoys a party or two, he has one rule for social gatherings he makes abundantly clear: Monday nights after 8 are OFF LIMITS.
In order to bring these concepts together visually I asked the OG of Craft Tea art, Billi French, for her expertise. Billi delivered an unbelievable piece of Bobby as a Hollywood-themed wrestling laying the smack down. The sign “Where’s my DVD?” references his “spidey senses” to not only know when a DVD is missing from his shelves, but the specific DVD as well - an incredible feat considering how many are in his collection.
Creating this tea was super easy once I tasted the houjicha from The Kinezuka Family in Shizuoka, Japan (same makers as kukicha in Breezy Baby). This family farm offers some of the finest quality tea source at Craft Tea and their houjicha is a knockout. The popcorn-like aroma is incredible - smells like you’re back at the movies. The taste is rich and a little sweet, and pairs well with Asian cuisine. To keep with the golden wrestler theme, I added marshmallow root and calendula flowers which gently enhance the character of the tea. While a green tea, houjicha’s caffeine levels are low from the roasting process, making this an excellent drink in the evening time.
Vinyl Pairing: Four Tops - Reach Out (Motown, 1967)
I was raised on Motown and I think part of that reason was how prevalent you’d hear it in movies at the time. I can’t help but feel nostalgic and happy listening to Motown records, and this release from the Four Tops is heavy on the hits - a #1 single, two top 10 singles, and three top 20’s. This would be the final Four Tops LP produced by Motown’s wrecking crew, Holland-Dozier-Holland, and a high note to leave on.
Further Listening: Anthology (1974); The Temptations - Cloud Nine (1969)
Try it in the Chemex!
For a powerful aroma and clear, clean cup try brewing Blockbuster Bob in a Chemex. The smell is amazing and it makes a really enjoyable drink. The houjicha is really high quality, so a cold brew works well, too!
