Hojicha

Hojicha is the warm alternative to matcha — a roasted Japanese green tea with a toasty, comforting character that's completely different from any other tea in our lineup. Where matcha is vibrant and grassy, hojicha is mellow and warm. Where green tea is bright and fresh, hojicha is roasted and cozy. The tea for people who want something different — and the one that surprises people most when they try it for the first time.

Why We Carry This

Hojicha is a Japanese green tea roasted over charcoal at high temperatures. The roasting transforms the leaves and stems — turning them from green to reddish-brown and dramatically changing the flavor profile. The roasting caramelizes the sugars in the leaf, producing a toasty, warm sweetness that has nothing in common with the grassy, fresh character of unroasted green tea. Our hojicha is stone-milled into a fine powder — the same format as matcha — so it dissolves effortlessly into water or milk without clumping, producing a velvety, smooth texture in every cup.

Flavor Profile

• Toasted cereal — warm, roasted, and immediately comforting
• Subtle sweetness — caramelized sugars from roasting produce a natural warmth
• Gentle umami — a savory depth that lingers pleasantly
• Mellow, smooth character — less grassy than green tea, more comforting than matcha
• Warm, toasty finish — the roasted character stays with you

Ingredients

Stone-milled roasted Japanese green tea (hojicha powder). No additives. No artificial flavoring. No added sugar.

Yield: ~50–100 cups per 12oz. Tea is more concentrated — a little goes a long way.

How to Prepare

Hojicha Latte (Recommended)

1. Whisk 1–2 teaspoons of hojicha with 2oz of hot water (185°F) until smooth
2. Add 6–8oz of steamed oat or dairy milk
3. The toasty, warm character pairs beautifully with oat milk

Traditional Whisked Hojicha

1. Sift 1–2 teaspoons of hojicha powder into a bowl or cup
2. Add 2oz of hot water at 185°F
3. Whisk vigorously until smooth and frothy
4. Drink immediately

Iced Hojicha Latte

1. Whisk hojicha with 2oz of hot water until smooth
2. Pour over ice
3. Add cold milk and stir

Smoothies and baking — Hojicha adds warm, toasty depth to smoothies, overnight oats, and baked goods. Use 1 teaspoon per serving.

Best For

• Cozy mornings — warm, toasty character makes every morning feel like autumn
• Evening drinks — very low caffeine (7–10mg per serving) means you can enjoy it before bed
• Hojicha lattes — one of the most comforting latte options available anywhere
• Matcha skeptics — hojicha is the warm, mellow alternative for people who find matcha too grassy

Frequently Asked Questions

How does hojicha compare to matcha?
Matcha is vibrant, grassy, and energizing — high in caffeine and L-theanine. Hojicha is warm, toasty, and mellow — very low in caffeine and comforting rather than stimulating. Completely different experiences from the same plant.

Can I drink it before bed?
Yes — the very low caffeine content (7–10mg per serving) makes hojicha one of the best warm drinks for evening. Comforting without being stimulating.

What temperature should I use?
185°F — slightly hotter than matcha. The roasted character of hojicha is more forgiving of temperature than delicate green teas.

Does it taste like green tea?
No — that's the point. The roasting process completely transforms the flavor. If you don't like green tea, you may love hojicha. It's warm, toasty, and sweet rather than grassy and fresh.

Explore our full tea lineup — or browse everything we carry.