Wellness Origin HubHojicha latte, the roasted green tea for autumn evenings
Hojicha is Japanese green tea roasted until it turns brown and toasty. As a latte it tastes of caramel and toasted nuts, with less caffeine than matcha.
Hojicha is green tea that has been roasted over high heat until the leaves turn reddish-brown. Roasting takes away the grassy, sharp notes of green tea and replaces them with flavours of toasted grain, caramel and a little smoke. It was first roasted in Kyoto in the 1920s, reportedly to make use of leftover leaves and stems, and it is now drunk all over Japan, often after dinner. Whisked with warm milk, it makes one of the most comforting lattes there is.
How to make it
- Sift the hojicha powder into a mug or small bowl so it does not clump.
- Add the hot water and whisk briskly with a bamboo whisk, a small whisk or a frother until smooth.
- Stir in the sweetener while the tea is hot.
- Warm the milk until it steams, then froth it with a milk frother or a whisk.
- Pour the milk over the tea and drink while hot.
No powder? Use leaves
Steep 2 heaped teaspoons of hojicha leaves in 80 ml of just-boiled water for 2 to 3 minutes, strain, and use that strong tea in place of the whisked powder. The latte will be lighter but just as fragrant.
How much caffeine is in hojicha?
Less than in most green teas and much less than in matcha. Hojicha is usually made from later-harvest leaves and stems, which contain less caffeine, and some is lost in roasting. Amounts vary by brand, but a cup is generally a gentle choice for the afternoon. If you are very sensitive, a rooibos latte or golden milk is fully caffeine-free.
| Drink | Flavour | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Hojicha latte | Toasty, caramel, nutty | Low |
| Iced matcha latte | Grassy, vegetal, sweet | Moderate to high |
| London fog | Bergamot, vanilla | Moderate |
Variations
- Iced: whisk the tea, pour over ice and top with cold milk.
- Spiced: add a pinch of cinnamon to the powder before whisking.
- Kinako: dust the foam with roasted soybean flour for an even nuttier cup.
- Dairy-free: oat milk suits the toasty flavour best; see plant milks compared.
Our guide to green tea types explains how hojicha fits in with sencha, gyokuro and the rest.
Questions people ask
Is hojicha the same as genmaicha?
No. Genmaicha is green tea mixed with toasted rice, so the leaves stay green. Hojicha is the tea leaves themselves, roasted.
How should I store hojicha?
In an airtight tin, away from light and heat. The roasted aroma fades over a few months once opened.
Photograph: AI-generated image
