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    The Heirloom Pantry » Recipes » Drinks

    Hojicha Latte (Iced and Hot)

    Published: Aug 17, 2022 · Modified: Feb 15, 2024 by Kathleen Higashiyama · The following content may contain paid links. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.

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    Pinterest pin for Hojicha latte (iced or hot).

    Hojicha Latte (Iced or Hot) is a non-caffeinated Japanese roasted green tea with a robust chocolatey, nutty flavor. Serve it iced for a refreshing drink or hot for a cozy treat.

    Iced Hojicha latte in a glass with ice, styled with a bamboo whisk and ground Hojicha.

    A hojicha latte is a versatile drink that can be made iced or hot and tastes equally delicious. It's made with roasted Japanese green tea and has a natural sweetness and caramel flavor. It tastes very similar to a hot chocolate with notes of toffee.

    This recipe is similar to our Vanilla Matcha Latte, but is non-caffeinated and has a much toastier, nuttier taste. It's a great option for those who want something refreshing or cozy without the caffeine, and can be made with ground hojicha powder or loose leaf hojicha. Make this cafe-worthy drink in minutes at home!

    Jump to:
    • What is a hojicha latte?
    • What is hojicha?
    • What is the difference between hojicha and matcha?
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Instructions
    • What to Serve with Hojicha Latte
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • Related Recipes
    • Did You Like This Recipe?
    • 📖 Recipe

    What is a hojicha latte?

    A latte typically includes espresso and steamed milk. In a hojicha latte, we replace espresso with hojicha tea. The blend of hojicha and steamed milk is uniquely delicious, earthy, and light.

    What is hojicha?

    Hojicha is a Japanese roasted green tea. Unlike other green teas, it has a reddish-brown color. This is because hojicha leaves are roasted while other green tea leaves are steamed. Hojicha has a mildly sweet and smokey taste and is delicious in a variety of foods and drinks.

    What is the difference between hojicha and matcha?

    Both hojicha and matcha are Japanese green teas, but there are some distinct differences between them:

    • Color - While both matcha and hojicha are green teas, hojicha is brownish in color while matcha is bright green.
    • Taste - Hojicha is earthy and sweet while matcha has a stronger vegetal flavor.
    • Caffeine content - Hojicha contains much less caffeine than matcha. Typically, we enjoy matcha at the beginning of the day and hojicha in the afternoon when we don't need much of a caffeine boost or want to unwind.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients to make Hojicha latte, including water, ground Hojicha, milk of choice, sweetener, and ice.
    • Hojicha powder - Hojicha powder is a fine powder made of Hojicha green tea leaves. Hojicha green tea leaves have a light earthy sweet taste.
    • Milk - You can use dairy or non-dairy milk, but we prefer oat milk for its rich and silky flavor.
    • Sweetener - We use honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup because they are delicious natural sweeteners.
    • Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste - Vanilla extract adds complexity and sweetness to the latte. Use vanilla bean paste for a stronger vanilla flavor.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Substitutions

    • Matcha powder - Use matcha powder instead of hojicha powder to make a matcha latte.
    • Milk and milk alternatives - Use regular whole milk, cream, half and half. Or use a milk alternative like almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, or soy milk. All of these milks will taste delicious with hojicha.
    • Hojicha tea - Brew hojicha tea for the lattes instead of using ground hojicha powder. Use 1 teaspoons of hojicha tea leaves and brew with ½ cup of hot water. Allow the tea to steep then strain and follow the additional steps listed in the recipes.

    Variations

    • Extra sweet - Add extra simple syrup, maple syrup, or honey to make this latte extra sweet.
    • No sweetener - We sometimes enjoy our lattes with no sweetener for truer hojicha flavor.
    • Cinnamon - Add a sprinkle of cinnamon for a warm and lightly spicy flavor.
    • Frothed milk - Add additional milk to a frother then pour the milk foam over the latte.
    • No vanilla - Omit the vanilla bean paste or extract if you don't want the vanilla flavor.
    • Extra vanilla - Add vanilla syrup for extra vanilla flavor.
    • Hojicha ice cubes - Make hojicha ice cubes to make an iced hojicha latte to prevent the drink from diluting.

    Instructions

    Steps to make Hojicha latte, including whisking the ground Hojicha, pouring milk and sweetener over ice, and pouring Hojicha in the glass.

    Hot hojicha latte

    • Warm milk in a saucepan on the stovetop over low-medium heat. Stir in sweetener and vanilla if desired. Remove from heat and set aside. Alternatively, add milk, sweetener, and vanilla to a milk frother and turn on to mix the ingredients.
    • Add 1 gram of ground hojicha to 4 oz of hot water in a bowl. Whisk until foamy and frothy using a bamboo whisk, electric frother, or small metal whisk. Pour into a mug and top with the warm milk. Enjoy immediately.

    Iced Hojicha Latte

    • Add 1 gram of ground hojicha to 4 oz of room temperature or cold water in a chawan bowl (tea bowl). Whisk until foamy and frothy using a bamboo whisk, electric frother, or small metal whisk.
    • Fill a glass with ice, add your milk of choice, and stir in sweetener and vanilla if desired. Pour in hojicha and stir to chill. Enjoy immediately.

    Pro tip: Make sure the ground hojicha powder is sifted so it doesn't clump after you add it to the latte.

    What to Serve with Hojicha Latte

    Enjoy this homemade hojicha latte on its own or with a delicious brunch or lunch. We love to drink it with Blackberry Lemon Bread, Homemade Cheddar and Bacon Biscuits, Brioche French Toast, or Spam Musubi.

    Recipe FAQs

    Is hojicha latte good for you?

    Yes, hojicha is full of antioxidants. It also boosts metabolism and helps digestion.

    How is hojicha different from green tea?

    Hojicha is a type of Japanese green tea, but unlike other green teas, hojicha is brown. This is because unlike other green teas, hojicha tea leaves are roasted over charcoal to make the tea. Hojicha also has a uniquely sweet and smoky flavor.

    Is hojicha high in caffeine?

    No, hojicha has very little caffeine. One cup of hojicha contains only about 7.7 mg of caffeine. As a result, we usually enjoy it in the afternoon or evening.

    Can I drink hojicha every day?

    Yes, drinking hojicha can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure and reduce stress. It can also help sleep because it is low in caffeine.

    Where can I buy hojicha powder?

    You can buy hojicha powder from your local tea shop or online.

    Equipment

    This hojicha latte recipe requires a few common kitchen essentials. For both the hot and iced hojicha latte, you will need a whisk and mixing bowl or chawan (tea bowl). For the hot hojicha latte, you will need a small saucepan to warm up the milk. A milk frother is also a fantastic investment to add to your kitchen collection.

    Storage

    Hot hojicha lattes are best enjoyed fresh. Iced hojicha lattes can be refrigerated and enjoyed the following day. In order to do so, just make the iced hojicha latte then store it in an air-tight jar in the refrigerator overnight. When you are ready to enjoy the latte, top it with fresh foam.

    Top tip

    • For iced hojicha lattes, chill your glasses in the fridge to ensure your latte stays cold and fresh longer.

    Related Recipes

    • Vanilla matcha latte in a Duralex glass with ice and oat milk foam.
      Vanilla Matcha Latte
    • Iced pumpkin spice latte in a tall glass with coffee ice cubes, foam, spices, and a cinnamon stick for garnish and small white pumpkins, cinnamon sticks, and pumpkin spice as decor.
      Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte
    • Oat milk hot chocolate with vegan whipped cream, vegan marshmallows, cocoa powder, and a pirouette creme wafer cookie.
      Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
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      How to Make Caramel Iced Coffee

    Did You Like This Recipe?

    Love this hojicha latte? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below & consider leaving a comment below. Thanks in advance!

    Sign up for THP's newsletter and keep in touch on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and YouTube. If you make this recipe, tag #theheirloompantry so we can see your gluten free waffles!

    📖 Recipe

    Iced Hojicha latte in a glass with ice, styled with a bamboo whisk and ground Hojicha.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Hojicha Latte (Iced and Hot)

    Hojicha Latte (Iced or Hot) is a non-caffeinated Japanese roasted green tea with a robust chocolatey, nutty flavor. Serve it iced for a refreshing drink or hot for a cozy treat.
    Prep Time2 minutes mins
    Cook Time3 minutes mins
    Total Time5 minutes mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Japanese
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 58kcal
    Author: Kathleen Higashiyama

    Equipment

    • 1 whisk
    • 1 mixing bowl
    • 1 saucepan
    • 1 Milk frother

    Ingredients 

    • 1 teaspoon ground hojicha
    • 4 oz water (½ cup)
    • ½ cup milk or non-dairy milk
    • 1 teaspoon sweetener, honey, maple syrup, agave syrup optional
    • 1½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract optional
    • ice
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Hot hojicha latte

    • Warm milk in a saucepan on the stovetop over low-medium heat. Stir in sweetener and vanilla if desired. Remove from heat and set aside. Alternatively, add milk, sweetener, and vanilla to a milk frother and turn on to mix the ingredients.
      ½ cup milk or non-dairy milk, 1 teaspoon sweetener, honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, 1½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
    • Add 1 gram of ground hojicha (about 1 teaspoon) to 4 oz (½ cup) of hot water in a bowl. Whisk until foamy and frothy using a bamboo whisk, electric frother, or small metal whisk. Alternatively, make with loose leaf hojicha (see notes below for details).
      Pour into a mug and top with the warm milk. Enjoy immediately.
      1 teaspoon ground hojicha, 4 oz water

    Iced Hojicha Latte

    • Add 1 gram of ground hojicha (about 1 teaspoon) to 4 oz (½ cup) of room temperature or cold water in a chawan bowl. Whisk until foamy and frothy using a bamboo whisk, electric frother, or small metal whisk. Alternatively, make with loose leaf hojicha (see notes below for details).
      1 teaspoon ground hojicha, 4 oz water
    • Fill a glass with ice, add your milk of choice, and stir in sweetener and vanilla if desired. Pour in hojicha and stir to chill. Enjoy immediately.
      ½ cup milk or non-dairy milk, 1 teaspoon sweetener, honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, 1 teaspoon ground hojicha

    Notes

    Storage
    Hot hojicha lattes are best enjoyed immediately. Iced hojicha lattes can be refrigerated and enjoyed the following day. In order to do so, just make the iced hojicha latte then store it in an air-tight jar in the refrigerator overnight. When you are ready to enjoy the latte, top it with fresh foam.
    Top tips
    • Sift the ground hojicha powder before you add it to the latte to ensure it doesn't clump.
    • For iced hojicha lattes, chill your glasses in the fridge to ensure your lattes stay cold and fresh longer.
    • You can make this recipe with loose leaf tea instead of powdered hojicha. Use 1 teaspoons of hojicha tea leaves and brew with ½ cup of hot water. Allow the tea to steep then strain and follow the additional steps listed in the recipes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 58kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 123IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theheirloompantry or tag #theheirloompantry!

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    About the Author

    Kat Higashiyama and Alec Totto are recipe developers, food photographers, and the authors behind The Heirloom Pantry. Since 2017, they have shared recipes inspired by their Japanese and Italian heritage and California and Hawaii roots. They reside in San Jose with their two dogs, Peeps and Paisley. Read More…

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    Alec and Kat with Paisley and Peeps on the beach

    We're Kat and Alec, the culinary duo behind The Heirloom Pantry, where family recipes from our Italian and Japanese heritage meet fresh California ingredients and Hawaiian sunshine. Our chef-tested dishes help you conquer weeknights and wow guests with effortless entertaining. Join us on this delicious journey – let's cook up confidence, together!

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