Collaboration with Sunday Natural
Hojicha could be considered matcha’s relaxed sister. While matcha latte is my go to morning drink, hojicha latte is usually enjoyed in the afternoon and evening. It hardly contains caffeine and is easy on the stomach. I first tried hojicha ten years ago in Japan and bought a big pack at the supermarket on my way back to the hotel.
Since then, I’ve always had some at home. I also always carry a few tea bags with me when traveling, because if I run out of plant milk when traveling, because unlike coffee or decaf, I also like hojicha when simply prepared with hot water. Let it steep for two minutes, done. I’m a little surprised that hojicha isn’t as popular here yet as matcha, but I’m sure it will catch on soon.
What is hojicha?
In the 1920s, a tea merchant in Uji had the idea of not throwing away the leftovers from sencha or bancha production but instead roasting them, thus inventing hōjicha, also spelled houjicha), which means “roasted tea” in Japanese. Through roasting, the tea gets its brownish color and its distinctive, delicious warm, nutty, caramel-like aroma, while losing much of its caffeine and bitterness. That’s why hojicha tastes completely different from sencha or matcha, much milder, warmer, and more calming. You can buy it as loose-leaf tea, in tea bags, or ground into powder.
How is a hojicha latte prepared?
There are different ways to prepare this low caffeine latte alternative. Most often, it’s mixed with hot water and poured into frothed milk. Some people also add cinnamon or even pumpkin spice, which I personally find a bit wild. I’m okay with vanilla or salted caramel though, that can be quite nice as long as it doesn’t end up overpowering the latte with sweetness. In coffee shops in Japan, you often get a mix of hot water and milk with a tea bag, a bit like a London Fog, I thought when I first bought it, maybe it should be called Tokyo Fog. Unfortunately I later found out that that name is already taken and describes a matcha vanilla latte. Is Kyoto Fog maybe still available?
Personally, I whisk hojicha powder with a little hot oat milk and then pour it into more hot oat milk. You can of course use other milk alternatives. That’s exactly how I make my matcha latte too, except that I prefer rice milk for that and I sweeten the hojicha a bit with coconut sugar or maple syrup. Of course you can also make it without sugar. You can find the full recipe and video below.
Why is hojicha so healthy?
It contains various catechins, antioxidants, and polyphenols, which can be very beneficial for your health. The tea is also said to support digestion, mental health, and the immune system. You can find more detailed information about the health benefits of hojicha in this blog post.
Where can you buy hojicha powder?
I was provided with hojicha in powdered form by Sunday Natural for this video, as well as the coconut sugar. It has a light caramel note that pairs beautifully with hojicha, which is why I like to add a pinch to my hojicha latte. Nowadays you can get hojicha powder from Sunday Natural’s sister company Yoshien, which specializes in tea. Otherwise, you can also find it in many Asian grocery stores and tea shops.
What do you need to make hojicha latte?
You can either use a matcha whisk or a simple milk frother if you have no whisk. So it’s perfect for beginners.
DELICIOUS HOJICHA LATTE
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 300 ml plant milk
- 1-2 teaspoons hojicha powder
- 1/4 teaspoon coconut sugar optional
Instructions
- Heat some plant milk. It should be hot and steaming, but not boil.
- Mix the hojicha powder with about 2 tablespoons of the hot milk. You can use a matcha set or a milk frother. The hojicha should be foaming a bit.
- Now combine with the remaining milk, which can be frothed too if you like, into a big mug or latte glass, add coconut sugar to taste if you want and enjoy!
- To make an iced hojicha latte, only heat 2–3 tablespoons of water and whisk the powder with it until frothy. Then pour it over ice cubes into a large glass and top up with cold plant milk. Sweeten to taste.
Nutrition
Can I also make hojicha latte with teabags or tea leaves?
Yes, that works just as well. To make that I add 1-2 tablespoons hojicha tea leaves or a tea bag to hot milk and let the mixture steep for a few minutes. The tea shouldn’t boil. Then I pour it through a sieve and sweeten the drink a little bit if you like.
How do I make an iced hojicha latte?
To make an iced hojicha latte, heat 2–3 tablespoons of water and whisk the powder with it until frothy. Then pour it over ice cubes into a large glass and top up with cold plant milk. Sweeten to taste.
What else can I make with hojicha powder?
Just like matcha, this aromatic powder is often used for desserts. For example, I use it to make my hojicha ice cream mini cheesecakes.
If you like my hojicha latte, you might also enjoy my other recipes in collaboration with Sunday Natural:
- Chagaccino
- lion’s mane matcha latte
- Hemp bagels
- Fermented cashew blueberry cheese
- Earl Grey loaf cake
- Superfood burgers
- Chocolate and sea salt granola bars
- Lion’s mane matcha latte
- Superfood pralines
- Chocolate pudding
- Chia jam
- Protein snickers ice cream
- Matcha Pralines
- DIY spice rack
- Almond buckwheat granola clusters
- Matcha popsicles
- DIY yoga mat spray
