Hojicha
Hōjicha
Roasted. Warm. Low caffeine
Hōjicha is green tea roasted over charcoal at high heat — a process that transforms the fresh, vegetal character of green tea into something warm, nutty, and earthy. The roasting also converts most of the caffeine (~7mg per serving vs ~68mg for matcha), making it ideal in the evening or for those sensitive to caffeine. This is the same tea material as green tea, treated completely differently: where matcha is shade-grown and stone-ground to preserve freshness, hōjicha is fired to develop depth.
Roasted and earthyNutty, caramel notesWarming finishNo bitterness
- Origin
- Uji, Kyoto
- Size
- 30g
- Caffeine
- ~7 mg per serving
- Price
- €28.00
Best For
- Evening drinks
- Low-caffeine lattes
- Desserts and baking
- After meals
Brewing
- Weight
- 2 g (approx. 1 tsp)
- Water
- 80 ml
- Temperature
- 80–90 °C
- Technique
- Hōjicha tolerates higher temperatures. Whisk briskly or use a frother — no chasen required.
FAQ
- Is hōjicha a type of matcha?
- Not technically. Both are made from Camellia sinensis, but matcha is made from shade-grown, stone-ground tencha. Hōjicha is roasted green tea — usually bancha or sencha leaves — ground into a fine powder after roasting. The roasting step fundamentally changes the flavour and caffeine content.
- Why is the caffeine so much lower than matcha?
- High-temperature roasting breaks down much of the caffeine in the tea leaves. Hōjicha typically contains 7–10mg of caffeine per serving compared to 60–70mg for ceremonial matcha. This makes it a comfortable choice in the afternoon or evening.
- What temperature should I brew hōjicha at?
- Unlike matcha, hōjicha is not sensitive to high temperatures — you can use water up to 90°C without bitterness. The roasting process has already neutralised the catechins that cause bitterness in green tea.
- Can I make a hōjicha latte?
- Hōjicha lattes are excellent — the roasted, caramel notes pair particularly well with oat milk. Whisk 2g with 40ml of hot water to a smooth paste, then add 150ml of steamed oat or dairy milk. Add a little honey if you prefer it lightly sweetened.
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