Japanese Tea Types Hojicha

Hojicha

A mild, gentle roasted green tea

Hojicha is a roasted Japanese green, notable for its low amounts of caffeine. The major difference between this tea and others is that, instead of being steamed, it has been roasted. This process creates a unique tasting profile. It gives it a nutty, toasty flavor and aroma. Unlike most other Japanese teas, the color of the liquor is brown due to it being toasted. Hojicha is one of the classic Japanese green teas.

Hojicha is usually made from bancha but sometimes sencha.

This roasting process reduces the caffeine and tannin content, creating a mild, lower-caffeine alternative for children, the elderly and those who are sensitive to caffeine. For Hojicha, it is recommended that you use close to boiling water (95°C) and a short brewing time. Ready in 15 seconds, this tea has a nutty flavor and a pleasant aroma. This tea is usually the first tea that Japanese babies drink. This is a good, tasty tea that must be tasted.

We are often asked what hojicha tea tastes like and the best way to describe it is that it has a mild, sweet taste with a delicate smokey flavor.