If matcha is the bright, grassy side of Japanese tea, hojicha is the warm side. It's green tea that has been roasted until it turns a reddish brown, and it tastes of caramel, toasted cocoa, and something close to freshly roasted nuts. It's gentle, naturally sweet, and lower in caffeine than matcha, which is why so many people drink it in the afternoon and evening.
This guide covers what hojicha is, how it compares to matcha, and how to make a hojicha latte, hot or iced, at home.
What Is Hojicha?
Hojicha (ほうじ茶) means "roasted tea." It starts as Japanese green tea, which is then roasted over high heat. The roasting turns the leaves and stems from green to brown, softens the bitterness, and brings out a toasty sweetness. Hojicha is said to have first been roasted in Kyoto in the 1920s, and it's been an everyday tea in Japan ever since.
Hojicha comes as loose leaf for steeping, or as a fine powder that you whisk like matcha. Powdered hojicha is what you'll find in café hojicha lattes, because you drink the whole tea rather than an infusion, so the flavor is fuller and stands up to milk.
Era Hojicha is a powdered hojicha from Uji, Kyoto, made from first-harvest tea stems and roasted in small batches.
What Does Hojicha Taste Like?
Warm, smooth, and naturally sweet. Expect caramel, cocoa, and toasted notes, with very little of the bitterness or grassiness some people find in green tea. It's often the tea that wins over people who don't think they like green tea at all.
With milk it becomes something close to a lightly roasted, toffee-like latte. It works especially well with oat milk, and a little honey or maple brings out its caramel side.
Hojicha vs Matcha
Both are Japanese green teas, and both can be ground into a powder and whisked. The difference is what happens before the grinding.
| Matcha | Hojicha | |
|---|---|---|
| How it's made | Shade-grown, steamed, stone-ground, never roasted | Roasted over high heat, then ground |
| Color | Bright green | Warm reddish brown |
| Flavor | Umami, sweet, vegetal | Toasty, caramel, cocoa |
| Caffeine | Higher | Generally lower |
| Best for | Mornings, a focused lift | Afternoons, evenings, a gentle cup |
Plenty of people keep both: matcha in the morning, hojicha later in the day. Our complete guide to matcha covers the green side in depth.
Does Hojicha Have Caffeine?
Yes, but generally less than matcha. Tea stems naturally carry less caffeine than leaves, and hojicha's gentle, roasted character makes it easy to drink later in the day. Caffeine varies from tea to tea, so if you're sensitive to it, start with a smaller serving in the evening and see how you feel.
Curious how matcha and coffee compare? Our matcha vs coffee guide breaks it down drink by drink.
How to Make a Hojicha Latte
You'll need hojicha powder, a sifter, a bowl or cup, a bamboo whisk or milk frother, and your milk of choice.
- Sift. Sift about 3 g of hojicha, roughly one heaped teaspoon, into a bowl. Sifting breaks up clumps so it whisks smooth.
- Add hot water. Pour in about 40 ml of hot water, around 80 to 90°C. Hojicha is more forgiving with heat than matcha, since roasting has already softened its bitterness.
- Whisk. Whisk briskly in a W or zigzag motion until smooth and slightly frothy, about 15 to 20 seconds.
- Add milk. Steam or warm 150 to 200 ml of milk and pour it over. Sweeten with a little honey or maple if you like.
The method is the same as a matcha latte, so if you've made one before, you already know how. Our matcha latte guide covers whisking technique in more detail, and there are more drinks in our house recipes.
How to Make an Iced Hojicha Latte
- Whisk 3 g of sifted hojicha with about 40 ml of hot water until smooth.
- Fill a glass with ice and pour in about 180 ml of cold milk.
- Pour the hojicha over the top and stir. Add a little sweetener first if you like it sweet, so it mixes in properly.
Iced hojicha with oat milk is a good one to try if you usually drink iced coffee and want something gentler in the afternoon.
How to Store Hojicha
Keep it sealed in its tin, away from light, heat, and humidity. Like any powdered tea, it loses its aroma faster once opened, so close the tin right after each use. In the UAE, the fridge is the safest place, especially through the summer. Let a cold tin come to room temperature before opening so moisture doesn't form inside.
A 50 g tin makes about 16 cups at 3 g each.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hojicha?
Hojicha is Japanese green tea that has been roasted over high heat. Roasting turns it reddish brown and gives it a toasty, caramel-like flavor with very little bitterness.
What's the difference between hojicha and matcha?
Both are Japanese green teas that can be whisked as a powder. Matcha is shade-grown and never roasted, so it's bright green and umami-rich. Hojicha is roasted, so it's warm brown, toasty, and generally lower in caffeine.
Does hojicha have caffeine?
Yes, but generally less than matcha. That's why many people drink hojicha in the afternoon or evening. Caffeine varies between teas, so if you're sensitive, start with a smaller serving.
Can I drink hojicha at night?
Many people do, because it's gentler and generally lower in caffeine than matcha. If caffeine affects your sleep, try a smaller serving earlier in the evening first.
How do I make a hojicha latte?
Sift about 3 g of hojicha powder, whisk it with 40 ml of hot water at around 80 to 90°C until smooth, then add 150 to 200 ml of steamed milk. For iced, pour the whisked hojicha over ice and cold milk.
What milk goes best with hojicha?
Hojicha works with any milk, but oat milk is especially good with its toasty, caramel notes. A little honey or maple brings out its sweetness.
How should I store hojicha?
Sealed in its tin, away from light, heat, and humidity. In the UAE, the fridge is the safest place. Let a cold tin come to room temperature before opening.
Do you deliver hojicha across the UAE?
Yes. We deliver across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain.
