Last Updated on May 2, 2022 by Share My Kitchen
This creamy hojicha latte is a light but rich drink that’s great for anyone who likes a warm beverage with no caffeine. It is made from Japanese roasted green tea leaves that give hints of sweetness, tones of caramel and smoky nuttiness.
Benefits Of Hojicha Latte
Are you looking to cut down on your coffee intake? Well, Hojicha lattes can be a great alternative to coffee.
This low-caffeine milk tea can be enjoyed as a refreshing drink during the day, or as a relaxing beverage after dinner.
What is Hojicha Latte?
Hojicha (written as 焙じ茶 or ほうじ茶) is a Japanese verb that roughly translates to ‘to roast’.
This is a Japanese style of green tea from Kyoto, which is made mostly from kukicha twigs, sencha tea leaves, or bancha tea leaves.
Unlike Japanese teas that are steamed before drying, hojicha is roasted to give it its distinctive reddish-brown color, and toasty, nutty flavor.
This latte is hojicha tea fused with milk. Also, you can either drink it hot or cold. These are two popular ways to make it:
- Frothed milk – tea is made separately and the milk is steamed and frothed. This is similar to a cappuccino.
- Simmered with milk – the hojicha tea powder or leaves are simmered in milk, making it similar to a homemade chai latte.
What You’ll Need
- Hojicha – use loose leaf hojicha tea leaves, but you can also use hojicha tea bags or hojicha powder. But remember, premium teas will have a stronger flavor and more depth. You can substitute matcha powder for regular tea if desired, but it will have a higher caffeine content.
- Milk – you can use your favorite milk. It is preferred to use dairy milk at home, but you can try it with almond milk, oak milk, or soy milk. Each one will have a different flavor profile for your homemade hojicha coffee latte. Try different flavors to find what’s best for you!
Tips For Making Hojicha Latte
- Filtered water: use filtered water to get the best taste
- Add spice: cinnamon goes well with the hojicha’s smoky flavor.
FAQ On Making Hojicha Latte
What’s the difference between hojicha leaves and hojicha powder?
Hojicha powder is made of loose leaf hojicha and is then ground into a fine powder. You can use it as an instant-tea powder or in cooking because it infuses quickly without needing to steep to get its flavors.
Does hojicha have caffeine?
Hojicha has a lower caffeine content naturally than other types of green tea, around 7.7 mg. So this makes it a great choice for people who are sensitive to caffeine and those who just want to have a warm drink in the evenings.
What temperature should I steep hojicha?
Hojicha should be brewed at 80°C/ 175°F while black tea can be brewed at 100°C/ 212°F. This allows the rich flavor to develop and avoid becoming bitter.
What sweetener should I use?
Because they dissolve quickly, liquid sweeteners make great lattes. Honey and maple syrup complement hojicha’s roasted earthy flavors well. However if you prefer, condensed milk can be used or regular sugar.
Variations Of Japanese Hojicha Latte
- Make it vegan: use soy, almond, or oat milk in place of dairy.
- Cold Brew: add 1 tbsp of hojicha per 1 cup water, and to fully develop the flavor, let it sit for 6-8 hours in the refrigerator or overnight.
- Iced Hojicha Latte: pour over ice to enjoy a refreshing summer beverage.
- You can make it fancy. Top it with whipped cream or whip up the hojicha by itself to create a dalgona style latte.
Equipment
- Tea strainer
- Milk frother
Ingredients
- 2 tsp hojicha loose leaf tea (or 1 tsp hojicha powder)
- ¼ cup boiling water (60 ml/ 2fl oz)
- ¾ cup milk warmed
Optional Sweetener
- Sugar (or condensed milk, maple syrup or honey) add according to you preference
Instructions
- Put the hojicha leaves in a tea strainer and place it into a coffee cup. Then pour in the boiling water and allow the tea to steep for 3 minutes, until it’s nice and dark. (2 tsp hojicha tea leaves, 1/4 cup boiling water)
- After the tea has brewed, heat your milk in a microwave for 45 seconds. (3/4 cup milk)
- Optional: Froth milk is available if you prefer a light, airy latte.
- Take the tea strainer out of your cup and add your warm milk.
- Optional: You can add your sweetener here, if desired! (Sugar, condensed milk, honey, or maple syrup)
- Serve this drink hot and enjoy!
