The rich, sweet aroma of hojicha and its dark color stands out from common green teas. The leaves are roasted after being steamed, giving the tea a uniquely smoky, earthy aroma. Along with removing any bitterness, the roasting process creates a darker color and unique flavor that is different from traditional green teas.
A lot of tea connoisseurs prefer hojicha tea to other green teas because there is no bitterness. To further refine the flavor, hojicha is roasted overnight and turned into a smooth, rich liquid that is far less bitter and has no astringency. Unfortunately, this Japanese green tea has a very distinct smoky flavor from the roasting process. Only a tiny percentage of the highest quality leaves are used for this method - just the ones that produce a deep red color when brewed.
Hojicha Tea Benefits
Less Caffeine ContentHojicha is roasted green tea leaves that have been shaded from sunlight for a month before roasting. The process degrades the caffeine stored in the tea leaves, making it a perfect morning or afternoon beverage with less than half the caffeine as regular brewed green tea. We recommend using a 16:1 ratio to brew Hojicha or one teaspoon of tea per ounce of water. This is an easy replacement for coffee or your morning tea routine.
A Deep Relax
Hojicha delivers a deep, rich flavor with a woodsy aroma and is a tasty option for those interested in adding more relaxation into their routine. Made from roasted leaves traditionally grown in Kagoshima, Japan, Hojicha contains high levels of caffeine and L-Theanine natural components that contribute to its relaxing properties.
Serving hojicha after dinner can help you digest your food. The smoky aroma is said to aid digestion and cleansing to make way for the meal ahead.
Get that Glow!
The presence of Vitamin C in hojicha tea is responsible for making the skin glow. Its proportion makes up to 5 times more than the amount present in orange juice. Vitamin C, an effective ingredient for treating dark spots on the skin, is contained in these leaves, roasted at 300 degrees.
A Joyful Heart
Unlike most other teas, Hojicha contains natural antioxidants called polyphenols that help fight off free radicals, the damaging substances in tobacco and pollution that cause heart disease. Hojicha matches the polyphenol count of green tea but does not contain any caffeine.
Happy Teeth
Hojicha contains much more polyphenols and catechins than green tea. Polyphenols and catechins in Hojicha have been proved to prevent cavities in the teeth. This means that hojicha helps to recover from dental diseases like tooth decay, periodontal disease. Catechins and polyphenols in hojicha help to prevent a new episode of gingivitis. It also relieves you from the problem of tooth sensitivity that occurs due to too hot or cold food and drinks.
Few Popular Hojicha Tea Recipes
Simple Hot Hojicha Tea
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Hojicha tea leaves
- 2-3 cups of Water
- Sweetener
Procedure
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Boil the water till it’s very hot. This is the key to making an amazing cup of Hojicha tea.
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Then add it to a teapot where Hojicha tea leaves are already present and wait for 30 secs.
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Now, pour the tea into the cup. Do not fill the whole cup at a time, rather pour a little and take a break, then pour again.
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Make sure no water is left in the teapot.
Hojicha Milk Tea
Hojicha Powder is made from finely ground roasted green tea. The Hojicha tea powder from TeaSwan is one of the most popular options for making hojicha milk tea. The procedure is extremely simple and won’t even take you two minutes.
Ingredients
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Water (cold filtered)
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Hojicha tea powder
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Milk (of your choice)
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Sweetener (optional)
Procedure
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First, whisk the Hojicha tea powder with a minimal amount of cold filtered water. Use a bamboo whisk or frother.
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Then combine the hojicha mixture with milk, and you're done! (You can add your desired sweetener for taste)
You can easily prepare hot hojicha milk tea by combining the tea powder with milk and water, then heating it to your desired temperature in a saucepan or adding it to bottled green tea.
Hojicha Green Tea (Iced)
Ingredients
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Water
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10 grams roasted Hojicha Green tea leaves
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Sweetener
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Ice cubes
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Fresh Mint leaves (optional)
Procedure
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Add 10 grams of roasted green tea leaves into a teapot or a tea infuser.
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Heat 250 ml of water to 80°C (175°F) and pour over the tea leaves in a circular motion.
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Steep for 1 minute and strain into a pitcher.
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Add two teaspoons of sugar and stir to dissolve.
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Serve chilled over ice cubes and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
Every little detail of making the Iced Hojicha Green tea has been carefully thought out to ensure an enjoyable drinking experience.
Making Hojicha Roasted Green Tea Powder at Home
Some of you might be surprised reading this subheading, but let me assure you, it's true! Making Hojicha green tea powder at home is pretty easy and here are the steps to it.
- Get some Japanese green tea powder, which you can easily find on our Teaswan website.
- Drop it into a frypan and allow it to fry for 5-10 minutes.
- Need some more smokey solid flavor? Roast it for another 3 -5 minutes.
- The Roasted hojicha tea powder is ready.
This home-made roasted Hojicha Green tea powder can be used in hot or cold drinks. In hot, it provides a creamy and fragrant infusion. When used for cold brews, it complements the natural sweetness of the beverage and dissipates quickly, ensuring a clean finish.
Final words
Hojicha's earthy, wood-like aroma and unique red color can be attributed to having undergone the roasting process – when the leaves are steamed, then roasted. Whole roasted Hojicha leaves are lighter in color and give off a distinct coffee aroma balanced by an intense roasted aftertaste. As a result, Hojicha is an excellent tea for the winter months.
A rich, bold tea, hojicha produces a deep brownish-red color with notes of honey and roasted nuts. Often described as smelling and tasting like a "campfire,” hojicha has a unique flavor that many people love. It is usually recommended to drink hojicha in the cold weather to keep yourself warm on those chilly days.