HOJICHA – THE ROASTED TEA!

Hojicha is a Japanese green tea that is distinguished from other green teas by being roasted instead of steamed. This roasting process, which takes place at a high temperature, gives hojicha its characteristic brown color and a roasted, nutty flavor with a mild sweetness. During the roasting process, some of the caffeine is broken down, resulting in a tea with a low caffeine content.

Whole Leaf vs Powder

The most common form of hojicha is loose tea, where the roasted tea leaves are brewed in hot water to create a mild and aromatic drink that is great to drink both hot and cold. It is best brewed using a teapot with a built-in herringbone where the leaves are allowed to lie freely and bloom, you can then use the same leaves for a second brew.

Hojicha is also available as a fine powder. similar to matcha, where the roasted tea leaves are ground traditional granite mills. Just like matcha, the powder is whisked into water using a bamboo whisk. Hojicha is particularly suitable for lattes but is also often used in baked goods, ice cream and smoothies, as its deep flavor profile pairs well with sweet flavors.