What is hojicha?
Hojicha is a Japanese green tea... roasted. It is precisely this roasting that changes everything: unlike classic green teas, it loses its vegetal flavor and develops completely different aromas once its leaves have been heated at high temperature.
Result: a drink with a toasted, almost smoky taste, an amber color and much softer on the palate than traditional green tea.
Another advantage of this method: it reduces the caffeine content. A point that matters if you are looking for a lighter alternative to classic tea or coffee.
How to make a homemade hojicha latte
Nothing could be simpler: just a few ingredients are enough.
Ingredients
You will need:
- 1 teaspoon of hojicha powder (or 2 g of hojicha leaves)
- 200 ml of milk (whole, semi-skimmed or vegetable)
- 50 ml of hot water (around 80°C)
- 1 teaspoon of sugar, honey or syrup (optional)
Oat or almond milk works particularly well, as it highlights the toasted notes of the hojicha.
Preparing hojicha latte
1. Prepare the hojicha base
With powder, start by sifting it to avoid lumps. Then pour in the hot water and mix vigorously with a small whisk.
With leaves, let them infuse for 1 to 2 minutes, then filter.
In both cases, you must arrive at a very homogeneous aromatic base.
2. Heat the milk
Heat the milk without bringing it to a boil. Around 60-65°C is ideal: the flavors remain intact and the texture remains pleasant.
If you have a frother on hand, now is the time to use it. It brings a more gourmet side to the drink.
3. Assemble the hojicha latte
Slowly pour the hot milk onto the hojicha base, then mix lightly to combine everything well.
Sweeten if you want as hojicha is naturally sweet, this step really remains optional.
You obtain a creamy drink, perfect for a cocooning break.
Our tips for your hojicha latte
A few details make the difference between a decent hojicha latte and one worthy of a coffee shop.
On the milk side, oat milk goes particularly well with the toasted notes of hojicha, a good reflex if you're hesitant.
A milk frother also changes a lot of things: the texture becomes more airy, more pleasant in the mouth.
And feel free to adjust the dosage according to your preferences. Some people like a strong hojicha latte, others prefer it very smooth.
When to drink your hojicha latte?
It’s a drink that fits just about any time of the day.
In the morning, as a gentle alternative to coffee. In the afternoon, for a gourmet break. In the evening, because it will not disturb your sleep. In short, it follows your pace, not the other way around.
Hojicha latte vs matcha latte: what are the differences?
Are you hesitating between the two? Here's something to decide quickly.
| Criterion | Hojicha latte | Matcha slat |
|---|---|---|
| Taste | Toasted, sweet, nutty | Vegetal, intense, herbaceous |
| Color | Light brown | Bright green |
| Caffeine | Low | High |
| Digestion | Easy | Sometimes more stimulating |
| Perfect time | Evening / after meal | Morning / boost energy |
For a relaxing drink, the hojicha latte wins. For a shot of boost morning, the matcha latteremains the most suitable.
