Rich and toasty hojicha latte with a deep roasted flavor and creamy texture. A cozy and comforting drink perfect for any time of day!
Table of contents
If you’ve never tried hojicha latte before, my friend, you’re missing out! Hojicha is like matcha’s cooler and more edgy cousin. It's a type of Japanese green tea that tastes roasted, rich and creamy, with hints of coffee flavor.
Unlike matcha powder, which has a grassy and vibrant taste, hojicha has a naturally sweet, earthy aroma with hints of caramel and cocoa. It’s the perfect balance of richness and warmth, making it a comforting drink for any time of day.
This smooth and creamy Hojicha Latte recipe is here to replace your daily coffee! Not only does it taste better, but it also has less caffeine (so you can have it in the evening too).
This homemade hojicha latte is super easy to make with just a few ingredients in the comfort of your home. Whether you love your lattes extra creamy, slightly sweet, or bold and robust, this recipe is completely customizable.
If you’re as obsessed with lattes as I am, try my Hojicha Milk Tea, Assam Milk Tea, Okinawa Milk Tea, Strawberry Matcha Latte, Ube Matcha Latte or Vanilla Matcha Latte.
Looking for more Hojicha recipes? Check out my delicious Japanese Hojicha Cookies or this decadent Hojicha Ice Cream.
What is Hojicha?
Hojicha or houjicha (ほうじ茶) is a type of roasted Japanese green tea, known for its toasty flavour and earthy aroma. Unlike traditional matcha, hojicha is made by roasting green tea leaves, which reduces bitterness and gives them their signature brown colour.
Hojicha tastes earthy and roasted, with subtle hints of cocoa and coffee. That’s why it’s a very popular drink for coffee lover who want less caffeine! Because it contains less caffeine than coffee, matcha or sencha, hojicha is a popular evening drink in Japanese cafes.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy to make at home – Skip the coffee shops (and price tag) and enjoy a delicious hojicha latte with simple ingredients.
- Rich & toasty flavor – Good quality hojicha powder has a lovely deep and roasted flavor, making this hojicha latte and absolute delight!
- Versatile & customizable – You can tweak this hojicha latte recipe to your taste! Prefer it extra creamy? Use whole milk or barista oat milk. Want it sweeter? Try brown sugar syrup, maple syrup, or kokuto (Okinawan brown sugar) for a deeper caramel-like flavour.
- Low caffeine – Since hojicha has less caffeine than matcha latte or coffee, it’s a perfect drink to enjoy in the evening without affecting sleep. It’s also a great option for those looking to reduce their caffeine intake while still enjoying a cosy latte.
Ingredient round-up
- Hojicha powder – The easiest way to make a latte, as it dissolves quickly. You can also grind hojicha tea leaves into a fine green tea powder.
- Hot water – Helps bloom the hojicha powder for a smooth mixture.
- Milk – I love using oat milk for a naturally sweet flavour, but you can your favorite milk of choice, like soy milk, almond milk, or whole milk.
- Sweetener – Any sweetener works, like honey, brown sugar syrup, maple syrup, organic cane sugar, or kokuto (Okinawan brown sugar) for a richer taste.
How to make Hojicha Latte at home
- Heat hot water to about 80°C (170°F). Pour a little in a small bowl, then sift in hojicha powder and whisk well using a bamboo whisk (chasen) or an electric frother. Pour more water and keep whisking until smooth and creamy.
- In a separate cup, mix oat milk with honey, then stir well. Optional: use a milk frother to get the milk super creamy.
- For an iced hojicha latte, fill a glass with ice cubes, pour in the milk (about ¾ of the way). For hot hojicha latte, heat the milk beforehand.
- Slowly pour the frothy hojicha on over the milk. Stir well before drinking.
Substitutes & Variations
- Hojicha Strawberry Latte – Add a layer of fresh strawberry puree or use Homemade Strawberry Syrup for a fruity twist.
- Bubble tea – Add tapioca pearls to make it a Hojicha Bubble Tea.
- Brown Sugar – Use brown sugar syrup for a deeper caramel flavor that goes well with the earthy flavors or hojicha.
- Vanilla Latte – Stir in vanilla bean paste for a subtly sweet and delicious Hojicha Vanilla Latte.
Success Tips & Tricks
- Use high-quality hojicha – I always recommend using organic hojicha powder from Japan. It has a lovely earthy flavor without being bitter. You can also use hojicha tea leaves, just make sure you grind them into a superfine powder beforehand.
- Hot water – Make sure not to use boiling or super high temperature water, as it can make hojicha taste slightly bitter. For the best taste, keep the water at 80°C (170°F) maximum.
- Whisk well – The best way to dissolve hojicha powder is by sifting it first, then whisking it in hot water (80°C/170°F). I prefer using a bamboo whisk (chasen) for an authentic texture, but an electric handheld frother also works great!
- Creamy milk – If you want the barista style Hojicha Tea Latte, I recommend using a professional milk frother. This aerates the milk and makes it extra creamy.
- Pour slowly – To achieve the best layered effect, pour the hojicha mixture slowly. This helps create that beautiful two-tone look before stirring! Also, don't add any sweetener in the hojicha, and use only water so it floats to the top.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but much less caffeine than matcha or coffee. Since hojicha is made from roasted green tea leaves, the roasting process reduces the caffeine content significantly. A cup of hojicha latte has around 7-8 mg of caffeine, compared to matcha (60-80 mg) or coffee (95 mg per cup), making it a great option for late afternoons or evenings.
Yes! If you don’t have hojicha powder, you can make a latte using hojicha tea leaves instead. Simply steep 1 tablespoon of loose-leaf hojicha in hot water (80°C/170°F) for 3-5 minutes, strain, and mix with milk and sweetener. For an even stronger hojicha flavour, try grinding the tea leaves into a fine powder using a spice grinder.
Yes! If you don’t have a bamboo whisk (chasen), you can use an electric handheld frother, a small whisk, or even a spoon. The key is to whisk the hojicha powder into the hot water well enough to dissolve any clumps before adding the milk.
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Recipe
The Perfect Hojicha Latte: Iced or Hot (ほうじ茶ラテ)
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 2 teaspoons honey runny*
- 2 teaspoons hojicha powder
- 4 tablespoons hot water
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Foam up the milk using an electric frother. Add in the honey and combine well.
- Separately, in a small cup, pour hot water at about 170°F (80°C). With a small sieve, sift hojicha powder into the water. Using an electric or bamboo whisk, mix well until creamy and frothy.
- Into a glass, add ice cubes, then pour the milk about ¾ of the way to the glass rim.
- Slowly pour the frothy hojicha on top. Pouring slowly helps retain distinct layers. Give it a quick stir before enjoying!
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