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Matcha, especially Uji matcha, has dominated the conversation around Japanese tea for a few years now. And while we love matcha, we have to give a shoutout to an amazing variation of green tea that is not nearly as bitter, has a sweeter taste and is getting us through this matcha shortage. Today, we’re exploring hojicha!
Read on to learn all about this matcha alternative, including what it is, its health benefits, the different types of hojicha and some recommendations! (If you already know all about this tasty tea drink, you can scroll towards the end for product recommendations!)
What is Hojicha?
These are the leaves that go into making one of our favorite matcha alternatives. Image via Instagram (@banchaya_chabo)
Hojicha is a type of Japanese green tea that has been roasted over charcoal in a porcelain pot. Unlike other teas that are steamed, it is usually steamed then roasted at about 150 C (302 F) to prevent oxidation. This helps it to come out a beautiful light golden color. It also helps to keep both bitterness and caffeine low.
Teamakers can actually use three types of tea to create hojicha. Bancha, common tea from the last green tea harvest, is the traditional option. However, kukicha (tea made mostly from the twigs and stems) and sencha (made from the same tea type as matcha), are popular options as well.
The sencha-based option is really popular these days and is often found at matcha shops both in Uji and other areas.
But how does it taste? Well, hojicha has a great flavor profile that, once roasted and infused, becomes nutty, toasty and sweet with little to no bitterness. The sweetness and nuttiness make it popular as a post-meal tea option. Just know that some people don’t appreciate the smell but get around it by cutting it with milk to create lattes.
Hojicha Health Benefits
Part of the reason that matcha has blown up so much around the world is the health benefits attached to it, but hojicha also does plenty of great things for the body.
First of all, it’s known as a good way to get a bit of caffeine without getting the jitters, even for those sensitive to caffeine. A typical cup of hojicha only has 7.7 mg of caffeine, with the way it’s roasted causing the caffeine to fall off. Although, a stronger, more caffeinated cup can contain up to 20 mg.
It’s also great for relaxing both physically and mentally with L-Theanine. Image via Instagram (@foodorchestra)
It also contains plenty of vitamins, including Vitamin A, C and E, making it good for healthy skin, the immune system and for your heart health (in combination with Catechins). The catechins, antioxidants, polygenols and more can even help with: healthy metabolism & digestion, oral health, and alleviating or preventing swelling caused by arthritis.
Amazing, right?
History of Hojicha
Hojicha is a relatively recent discovery in the world of Japanese teas, being discovered by accident in 1920! The story goes that a Kyoto merchant had bancha that he couldn’t sell and roasted it, creating a new flavor that was hojicha! Apparently, it just took off from there
Types of Hojicha
Much like the world of tea in general, hojicha also has several varieties with their own unique tastes and differences. Image via Instagram (@kzk4321)
Again, the basic version of hojicha is usually made with bancha, but is often made with sencha and can be made with kukicha. But you can also find different versions of this tea, usually local varieties.
Kyobancha is an everyday hojicha that utilizes bancha from southern Kyoto, hence the name Kyobancha. Meanwhile, Ishikawa prefecture has made their own variety with a kukicha-base that is known as Kagabou-cha.
Nagoya hojicha has also made it onto the scene with an award-winning variation (literally). Containing a blend of various tea types roasted at a lower temperature than usual, it has an almost clear color and a much lighter taste while still being sweet. It also may be the most healthy version of hojicha out here at the moment.
Nagoya hojicha has really quickly gained a name for itself in the Japanese tea world! Image via Instagram (@myokoen.co.ltd)
You can also find Karigane-hojicha, another variety that uses the stems from Ichibancha. Hoji-sencha is another “variation.” While hojicha made from sencha is common these days, the term hoji-sencha usually refers to a higher quality version, usually coming from the first or second flush.
Ways to Enjoy Hojicha
Hojicha is similar to matcha in that you can enjoy in a variety of ways. A hot cup of straight hojicha is a great option for a nutty and sweet experience with a touch of smokiness to it. However, cold brew hojicha is perfect for summer, creating a more refreshing feel.
Another popular option is the hojicha latte. Thanks to the natural sweetness of this roasted tea, it creates a sweeter, toastier version of the matcha latte that can be enjoyed hot or iced. Actually, I personally prefer the hojicha latte to the matcha latte.
And again, with the natural nuttiness and sweetness, hojicha lends itself well to baking and sweets, even more so than matcha, which is often used to contrast sweetness. It’s great for all kinds of sweets, like hojicha white chocolate chip cookies, tiramisu, hard candies, cakes, brownies, ice cream and more!
If you want to try this roasted tea in all its forms, shops like HOHO Hojicha are great and offer a wide range of items made with this tea! Image via Instagram (@hohohojicha)
Hojicha Recommendations
We love Hojicha, but it’s hard to know where to start since there are so many options, especially since it’s a byproduct of the Japanese tea industry. So, we put together a few recommendations for each subcategory of hojicha: straight hojicha, hojicha lattes, and hojicha treats!
Hojicha
Luckily, HOHO Hojicha also makes tea for you to enjoy at home! Image via Instagram (@ymm43)
HOHO HOJICHA Yorokobi no Hojicha Tea (Teabag)
HOHO Hojicha is a popular shop in Kyoto, with their main shop being in Uji. They make tons of hojicha, in both drink and treat form. They’re also great because they have versions of their famous drinks and treats available for sale, including their Yorokobi no Hojicha (or happy hojicha). They come in convenient tea bags that perfectly capture this shop’s amazing in-shop experience!
THE NODOKA Hojicha Tea
New Yorkers might recognize this brand as The Nodoka originates right in Brooklyn. However, the tea this brand uses comes all the way from Shizuoka and is made with that Japanese touch.
ITO EN Orange Hojicha Cold Brew Tea
This is the only specified cold brew on our list, and it’s an interesting one. Not only do you get the delicious taste of a hojicha cold brew but also has a hint of orange, making it even more light and refreshing! ITO EN also creates a regular instant hojicha that's pretty good!
Hojicha Latte
A good hojicha latte blends the sweet, toasty notes tea with creamy milk (or milk alternative) for a cup of joy! Image via Instagram (@akikospecial)
Hoho Hojicha Latte
We couldn’t resist putting HOHO Hojicha on our list again with their amazing latte. It has a wonderful aroma and flavor with great creaminess, even if you just mix it with water (but you can use milk or milk alternative for added creaminess)!
Yamashiro Uji Hojicha Latte
Yamashiro also makes a mean cup of Uji hojicha and their latte version is gaining more and more popularity and positive reviews every day. Just combine with milk and you’ll get a creamy, fragrant and sweet cup or glass of tea!
Tsuboichi Instant Hojicha Latte Mix
This latte mix is truly customizable to your latte preferences. Image via Instagram (@norico35)
Tsuboichi also has a great tea legacy, with hojicha just being one of the their offerings. This mix is well-loved for its amazing taste and flavor. This “latte mix” actually lets you decide how milky you want your latte since the mix doesn’t contain any milk powder.
Ajinomoto AGF Blendy Stick Houjicha au Lait
Blendy makes tons of amazing instant drink mixes and this hojicha au lait mix is a creamy and sweet addition to their lineup! It’s super convenient to use. Just take a stick, pour into hot water (add ice if you want an iced version), stir and enjoy!
We love a quick shorcut in this office, and Blendy Sticks are a lifesaver in the office. (I love to mix it with vanilla protein). Image via Instagram (@ho_jichaaa_)
Honorable Mention: Tsujiri Hojicha Milk
Tsujiri is well-known worldwide for its matcha products, but they also sell delicious hojicha. Unfortunately for you, reader, it was so popular on our site that we are sold out at the time of writing. (We’re working to restock it, but it’s taking a while.
Hojicha Treats
Hojicha snacks and sweets come in all shapes and sizes, from roll cakes and cookies to Kit Kats and cream puffs! Image via Instagram (@ondolbakes)
Seijo Ishii Desica Organic Hojicha Polvoron Cookies
From the popular (and kinda fancy) Seijo Ishii supermarket comes a delicious pack of polvoron cookies made with real hojicha and French wheat flour! Yum!
Nestlé Itohkyuemon Mini Kit Kats Hojicha
As you already know, we love Japanese Kit Kats, and these are some of our favorites! This flavor features some sweet hojicha goodness from the amazing shop Itohkyuemoen!
You all know we love all of the Japanese Kit Kat flavors, but the Kyoto Uji hojicha flavor is up there on our list of favorites! Image via Instagram (@c_h_ih_o)
Now that you know all about hojicha, all that’s left is to get out there and try it. Have you already tried it? What did you think? Do you prefer it over matcha? Let us know in the comments!
And remember that you can enjoy some delicious hojicha and other Japanese tea products with MiauMall!
