A West Hampstead mum has brewed up a unique buckwheat tea product, following a tipsy culinary experiment.

Lovina Uittenbroek, who grew up in Japan, set up T Buckwheat Tea in January 2022. The tea is made from roasted buckwheat kernels and tastes "sweet and nutty".

"The idea came to me a year ago, whilst my husband and I shared a pot of buckwheat tea after an indulgent lockdown dinner," she said.

Ham & High: The tea is made out of roasted buckwheat kernels.The tea is made out of roasted buckwheat kernels. (Image: Lovina Uittenbroek)

Lovina recalls saying: "Derek, this tea is just so good, I need to make more people aware of it. Maybe I just need to make my own brand."

She said: "I'll admit I was a little tipsy, so a bit over excited, but the idea stuck. I ended up ordering samples of buckwheat tea from various suppliers over the next few months until I found the perfect match to what I was accustomed to drinking in Japan. We drink it regularly in Japan, where it’s known as 'sobacha'.

Ham & High: T. Buckwheat Tea is stocked in Peppercorns health store on West End Lane, West Hampstead.T. Buckwheat Tea is stocked in Peppercorns health store on West End Lane, West Hampstead. (Image: Frankie Lister-Fell)

"It's very exciting for me as I've always wanted to run my own business. Also, after becoming a mum I didn't think I would have the time or energy to do something of my own so it is really fulfilling."