Creamy and soothing Hojicha Milk Tea with a unique, roasted flavor. This Japanese bubble tea tastes earthy, rich and creamy, with delicious chewy tapioca pearls.
Originating from the heart of Japan, Hojicha Milk Tea is a beloved drink that has won over bubble tea enthusiasts everywhere. It has a unique and robust flavor profile, which comes from hojicha - a roasted Japanese green tea. The hojicha powder lends an earthy aroma and natural sweetness to the milk tea, creating a strong and roasted aroma.
This Hojicha Bubble Tea recipe is a combination of creamy hojicha latte and bubble tea. Made using authentic Japanese methods and ingredients, this recipe makes a truly delightful milk tea.
If you're looking for more bubble tea recipes, you might want to check out these authentic Japanese Okinawa Milk Tea and Hokkaido Milk Tea, or crowd favorite Oolong Milk Tea and Jasmine Milk Tea.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Unique Flavor: This Hojicha Bubble Tea is made with hojicha leaves, a favorite Japanese tea. The loose leaf hojicha gives it a unique roasted flavor that sets it apart from other popular flavors.
- Authentic Taste: This boba recipe captures the authentic taste of a traditional Hojicha Tea Latte as enjoyed in Japan. It's a delightful way to experience one of Japan's favorite teas right at home.
- Easy to make: This easy recipe is not just delicious, but also simple to make! It only takes 10 minutes and a handful of ingredients to prepare a delicious Hojicha Latte at home.
What is hojicha milk tea?
Hojicha Milk Tea is a sweet drink that originates from Japan. It's made with hojicha, a type of Japanese roasted green tea and tapioca pearls known as boba. Its sweetness comes from brown sugar syrup, which is used to flavor the boba pearls.
Hojicha Bubble Tea has a unique flavor profile and a subtle nutty flavor. The mild taste of roasted tea is made smoother with creamy milk and sweetened with caramelised syrup. Brown sugar tapioca pearls add some extra chewiness and texture.
Ingredient round-up
- Hojicha – you can use either loose leaf tea or hojicha powder. Both will give your tea that distinct roasted flavor.
- Tapioca Pearls – I recommend using quick cook tapioca pearls.
- Brown Sugar Syrup - You can make your own using this Brown Sugar Syrup Recipe, or substitute with maple syrup or simple syrup.
- Milk - You can use whole milk for a creamy texture, but any type of dairy milk or plant-based milk will work. Choose according to your preference.
Substitutions & Variations
This Hojicha Boba Tea recipe is highly customizable, so you can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste. Here are some ideas:
- Vanilla Extract – ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract can add a hint of sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor of the hojicha boba.
- Cinnamon - sprinkle a bit of cinnamon into your tea for a warm, spicy twist.
- Honey - great alternative to brown sugar syrup. It adds a floral sweetness that complements the earthy hojicha.
- Whipped Cream - top your hojicha boba with a dollop of whipped cream
How to make Hojicha Milk Tea
1. Cook the tapioca pearls, then add them to brown sugar syrup or honey to sweeten.
2. Separately, combine hojicha tea powder with hot water and whisk well until frothy. Sweeten with honey if desired.
3. In a serving glass, add boba pearls and ice. Pour cold milk about ¾ of the way to the top.
4. Top with hojicha tea. Pour it very slowly to have distinct layers.
Success Tips & Tricks
- Quality Tea: To achieve the best flavor, use high-quality hojicha tea leaves or powder. The quality of the tea can significantly impact the overall taste of your Hojicha Milk Tea.
- Pour Slowly: To create distinct layers, pour the hojicha tea very slowly. This way it floats on top and creates that beautiful gradient.
- Serve Immediately: For the best texture and taste, serve your Hojicha Boba Tea immediately after preparation. This ensures that the flavors are fresh and the tapioca pearls are the perfect texture.
- Stir Well: Before enjoying your tea, give it a good stir. This helps to evenly distribute the brown sugar syrup and blend the flavors together. Use Glass Boba Straws for an authentic bubble tea experience.
Serving & Storing
Hojicha Boba Tea is best enjoyed fresh, ideally within 1-2 hours of preparation. If left for too long, the tapioca pearls may lose their pleasant chewy texture and become overly soft.
Frequently asked questions
Hojicha Bubble Tea has a unique flavor profile, characterized by its roasted, earthy taste, natural sweetness, and creamy texture from the added milk.
Matcha is green tea powder with a bright, grassy flavor, while Hojicha is roasted green tea, with a toasty, slightly caramel-like flavour.
Yes, Hojicha does contain caffeine, but it's typically lower in caffeine content compared to other green teas due to the roasting process it undergoes.
Yes, hojicha bubble tea can be served both hot and cold.
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Recipe
Hojicha Milk Tea (Hojicha Bubble Tea)
Ingredients
Boba Pearls
- ¾ cup quick cook tapioca pearls (100 grams)
- 3 cups water (700 grams)
- ¼ cup brown sugar syrup
Milk Tea Base
- 2 teaspoons hojicha powder
- 4 tablespoons hot water
- 2 teaspoons honey or syrup
- 2 cups whole milk
Instructions
- Prepare the tapioca pearls according to the instructions on the package. Once they are soft and chewy, add them to a saucepan with brown sugar syrup and cook over low heat until they are fully coated.
- In a separate bowl, combine hojicha tea powder with 4 tablespoons of hot water. Using a bamboo whisk, stir the mixture until it becomes frothy. If you prefer a sweeter tea, feel free to add a bit of honey at this stage.
- Take a serving glass and add the sweetened boba pearls. For a refreshing cold drink, add a handful of ice cubes on top of the pearls.
- Pour cold milk into the glass, filling it about ¾ of the way to the top.
- Slowly pour the hojicha tea over the milk. Adding the milk very slowly helps create distinct layers.
- Give it a quick stir and enjoy!
Notes
- Nutritional value is estimative and is calculated per serving, without any optional ingredients. This recipe makes 2 large servings.
- Consume immediately after assembling. Consume tapioca pearls within maximum 1-2 hours of cooking them.
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