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Hojicha Latte Recipe: Tasty & Authentic Japanese Tea

hojicha latte

Hojicha is a tasty green tea that’s perfect for any occasion. The tea leaves and this specific variety have a slightly nutty and lightly sweetened flavor profile. While this tea may not be as popular as other varieties, it’s definitely a favorite among many tea lovers.

It’s also on the more expensive side when it comes to green tea, often outperforming the popular Matcha tea when it comes to pricing. Hojicha has roasted tea leaves that give off subtle caramelized flavors, making it the perfect tea for steamed milk and lattes.

And the good thing is that it’s pretty easy to prepare and requires no special ingredients. You can make Hojicha lattes right in your kitchen in a matter of minutes. So, if you’re looking for a light, decadent drink to pair with your morning croissant or afternoon biscuits, try this Hojicha latte recipe.

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What Does Hojicha Latte Taste Like?

Hojicha is also a versatile green tea variety. The tea leaves are grown and roasted in Kyoto, Japan, and are naturally sweet. This latte recipe has a bit of a nutty undertone with hints of vanilla and caramel. The flavor profile is fairly mild overall and being that it’s a green tea, it doesn’t have the strong maltiness that is often noticeable in black teas.

Some consumers even say they are small notes of cocoa in this latte, which makes sense given its earthy undertone. The addition of milk gives this tea more body, making it perfect for a morning drink. It also goes great with desserts including pies, cookies, brownies, and fudge.

If you’re looking for a way to cut your caffeine and coffee consumption, this latte can be the perfect go-to drink. It can work as a refreshing “morning pick-up” beverage or a calming drink to enjoy in the evening after dinner. Naturally lower in caffeine than other similar varieties, Hojicha only contains about 7 to 8 milligrams of caffeine per 8 oz serving.

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What You’ll Need

Ingredients:
  • 1 ounce of Hojicha powder or 2 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon sweetener (sugar, honey, Stevia)
  • Cinnamon or Nutmeg (optional)
Equipment:
  • Tea Kettle
  • Milk Frother and Pitcher (or whisk)
  • Teacups (or coffee cups)
  • Saucepan (or soup pot)
  • Spoon

1. Prepare the Tea

Place the hot water in a tea kettle or boil it on the stove for about 3 to 5 minutes. Place the Hojicha powder inside a small bowl or chawan, if you have one. Once the water starts boiling remove it from the stove and pour 3 tablespoons of hot water in the bowl. In the bowl, mix the powder using your whisk until there are no clumps remaining. You should also notice frothiness developing, which is a sign that you can add the milk to the mixture.


2. Add the Milk

Heat the milk on the stove (or in the microwave) until it’s about 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure that the milk is hot and steamy. Then use your frother to create frothier milk, until a foamy layer develops on top (or you can use a whisk). Next, pour the foamy milk into the tea until it’s about half an inch from the rim. Add sweetener to the tea as needed. Next, lightly dust your Hojicha tea with cinnamon or nutmeg, per your preference.

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What’s the Difference Between Hojicha Leaves & Hojicha Powder?

The only difference between the tea leaves and the powder is the separation requirement for the powder serves as more of an instant tea way to make the tea or latte, while the loose leaves will need to be steamed and steeped beforehand. It’s more about convenience, though you’ll find that the powder typically costs about 10 to 15% more than the loose tea leaves.

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What Sweetener Works Best With Hojicha Lattes?

It really depends on your personal preference. Many people use honey or maple syrup to sweeten this tea. However, you can use traditional tea sweeteners such as sugar, Sweet and Low, or Stevia. You may also want to consider liquid sweeteners as they can dissolve quickly in this drink.


hojicha latte

Simple Hojicha Latte Recipe

Time to whip up a light, sweet hojicha latte! This delicious drink is made with good quality Japanese green tea and only takes a few minutes to craft. Let's get started!
5 star average
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 1 drink
Calories 56 kcal

Equipment

  • Tea Kettle
  • Milk Frother and Pitcher (or whisk)
  • Teacups (or coffee cups)
  • Saucepan (or soup pot)
  • Spoon

Ingredients
 

  • 1 ounce of Hojicha powder or 2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon sweetener (sugar, honey, Stevia)
  • Cinnamon or Nutmeg optional

Instructions
 

  • Boil water on the stove for about 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Place the Hojicha powder inside a small bowl or chawan.
  • Add 3 tablespoons of boiling water to the bowl and mix with the tea powder until frothy.
  • Heat the milk on the stove until it's about 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Use your frother to make the milk frothy--you should notice a foamy layer developing on top.
  • Pour the foamy milk into the tea until it's about half an inch from the rim.
  • Add sweetener to the tea as needed.
  • Lightly dust your Hojicha tea with cinnamon or nutmeg, per your preference.

Nutrition

Calories: 56kcal
Keyword simple hojicha latte recipe

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Conclusion

Hojicha latte is a light, sweet drink that you can enjoy at any time of the day. It goes well with dessert and is perfect as a stand-alone tea beverage. If you prefer mild tea with hints of caramel or nuttiness, this tea is perfect for you.


Featured Image Credit: onsuda, Shutterstock

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Kate MacDonnell

Kate is a lifelong coffee enthusiast and homebrewer who enjoys writing for coffee websites and sampling every kind of coffee known to man. She’s tried unusual coffees from all over the world and owns an unhealthy amount of coffee gear.

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