What is Hojicha?

Summary:

• Hojicha is a roasted Japanese green tea with warm nutty notes

• Unlike traditional green tea, hojicha has very little bitterness

• The roasting process naturally lowers caffeine levels

• Popular in Kyoto for its comforting and smooth taste

• Works beautifully both as loose leaf tea and powder for lattes

What is Hojicha? (焙じ茶)

Hojicha (焙じ茶), meaning “roasted tea,” is one of Japan’s most comforting teas. While technically a green tea, hojicha is very different from the grassy flavour most people associate with Japanese tea.

Instead of bright vegetal notes, hojicha develops warm roasted flavours closer to toasted nuts, caramel, cocoa, and light coffee.

The tea is usually made from Bancha or Kukicha leaves sourced from regions such as Kyoto. After steaming and drying, the leaves are roasted at high temperatures to create their signature aroma and deep amber-brown colour.

The roasting process also removes much of the tea’s caffeine, making hojicha a favourite for evenings and slow mornings alike.

Hojicha loose leaf — dark roast vs basic roast

Although both styles come from the same roasting tradition, the flavour experience changes subtly depending on the roast level.

Basic roast hojicha

A more classic everyday roast with:

• warm nutty flavour

• soft sweetness

• gentle smoky finish

• smooth medium body

Basic roast hojicha retains slightly more of the original tea character while still remaining mellow and low in bitterness.

It pairs especially well with:

• oat milk

• pastries

• calm evening routines

• people who find English Breakfast too strong

Dark roast hojicha

Dark roast hojicha takes the roasting process further, producing:

• deeper smoky notes

• subtle vanilla sweetness

• richer toasted aroma

• almost no caffeine

The darker roast profile creates a flavour many people compare to light coffee, roasted cocoa, or charcoal warmth.

It is especially popular for:

• winter drinks

• latte recipes

• café-style brewing

• coffee drinkers exploring tea

As one Haki customer described it:

“The flavour profile resembles more coffee and cocoa compared to other hojicha I have tried.”

What is hojicha powder?

Hojicha powder is made by finely grinding roasted hojicha leaves into a smooth powder.

Unlike loose leaf tea, the powder dissolves directly into water or milk, creating a fuller-bodied drink with a deeper roasted flavour.

Because the entire tea leaf is consumed, hojicha powder develops:

• stronger aroma

• creamier texture

• richer roasted character

It is especially loved in:

• hojicha lattes

• ice cream

• desserts

• baking

• iced drinks

Compared with matcha, hojicha powder is:

• less grassy

• lower in caffeine

• softer on the palate

• naturally sweeter and nuttier

What does hojicha taste like?

The easiest way to describe hojicha is comforting.

Expect flavours similar to:

• roasted hazelnuts

• toasted rice

• caramel

• cocoa

• warm wood

• subtle smoke

Unlike many green teas, hojicha has almost no sharp bitterness or aggressive aftertaste.

Its mellow profile is one of the reasons it has become increasingly popular in modern cafés and specialty tea shops.

Why people love hojicha

Modern tea drinkers are increasingly drawn to hojicha because it feels approachable, calming, and easy to enjoy daily.

It offers:

• low caffeine

• comforting flavour

• café versatility

• smooth finish

• minimal bitterness

For many people, hojicha sits perfectly between coffee and tea.

Warm, soft, roasted, and easy to return to every day.