If you’ve been paying attention to menus at coffee shops lately, you might have noticed a new drink quietly showing up next to matcha lattes and cold brew called hojicha. It’s not bright green like matcha or as hyped as your favorite seasonal latte, but this roasted tea is popping up in cafes everywhere. Nutty, smooth, and naturally low in caffeine, hojicha is the new contender that works hot, iced, or even in desserts.
From Kyoto to Your Cup
Originating in Kyoto, Japan, in the early 20th century, it was a way to use leftover tea leaves, stems, and twigs that were not suitable for premium teas. The name comes from the Japanese words hoji, which means roast, and cha, which means tea. The drink started as an affordable everyday beverage and quickly became a household favorite for its calm taste.
Today, it is made with just regular green tea leaves that are steamed and then roasted at high temperatures, at around 320° to 390°F. This roasting turns the leaves a warm light brown and gives the tea a nutty, slightly sweet, and smooth flavor. Unlike matcha, which can be grassy and intense, hojicha is mellow and comforting with subtle smoky notes. Roasting also reduces the caffeine content, making it perfect for people of all ages to enjoy. After roasting, it can be enjoyed as loose leaves for traditional brewing or ground into a fine powder for lattes or desserts like banana bread or tiramisu. As more people seek lower caffeine alternatives to coffee or matcha, hojicha is slowly making its way to become a global favorite as it is starting to appear in coffee shops all over the world.
Best Brands and Where to Buy
If you’re ready to try hojicha at home, there are plenty of quality brands worth checking out. Specialized importers like Hojicha Co., Kettl, and Ippodo are known for authentic and high-quality products, while premium Japanese producers such as Marukyu Koyamaen offer traditional options straight from Kyoto. For creamy latte ready powder, Midori Springs brings rich, caramel-like flavor, and Ocha & Co. is a favorite for its smooth, versatile powdered tea that is great in drinks and desserts.
You can find these brands through their personal websites, while others can also be found through retailers like Amazon that ship the item directly to your door. If you prefer to shop in person, local Asian markets and specialty tea shops carry hojicha in both loose leaf and powdered forms. Some coffee shops might sell their own blends, making it easy to purchase.
Whether you’re a tea enthusiast, a casual cafe goer, or someone looking for a new comfort drink, hojicha is worth exploring. Its nutty, lightly roasted flavor offers a soothing alternative to coffee and standard teas. Trying this can open the door to discovering other traditional Japanese teas and the rich culture behind them.