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Green Tea | March 08, 2023 | A. Broadway

Hojicha Latte Recipe

A hojicha latte combines the warm, roasted flavor of Japanese hojicha tea with creamy steamed milk for a comforting, low-caffeine alternative to coffee and matcha lattes. This recipe from Senbird Tea uses hojicha powder to create a rich, caramel-colored latte in just 5 minutes — no espresso machine required. With approximately 7-15mg of caffeine per cup compared to 95mg in coffee, the hojicha latte is the ideal afternoon pick-me-up that will not disrupt your sleep.

WHAT IS HOJICHA?

Hojicha is a Japanese green tea that has been roasted at high temperatures to produce a distinctive toasty, nutty flavor with notes of caramel and roasted grain. The roasting process transforms the tea from bright green to reddish-brown and dramatically reduces its caffeine content — making hojicha from Senbird Tea one of the lowest-caffeine options in the Japanese tea family. Hojicha powder, which is finely ground roasted tea, dissolves smoothly into hot liquids and creates the creamy, velvety texture that makes hojicha lattes so appealing. The natural sweetness of roasted hojicha means you need little to no added sweetener.

HOJICHA LATTE RECIPE

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Yield: 1 serving | Difficulty: Very Easy

Ingredients

1-2 teaspoons Senbird Tea hojicha powder
2 tablespoons hot water (not boiling — around 175°F / 80°C)
8 oz milk of choice (oat milk recommended for creamiest result)
1-2 teaspoons honey, maple syrup, or sweetener of choice (optional)
Pinch of cinnamon (optional garnish)

Instructions

Make the hojicha paste: Sift the hojicha powder into a cup or small bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of hot water and whisk vigorously until smooth with no lumps. A bamboo chasen or small regular whisk works well for this step.
Heat and froth the milk: Warm your milk to approximately 150-160°F (65-70°C) using a saucepan, microwave, or steam wand. Froth the milk using a handheld frother, French press, or by shaking vigorously in a sealed jar.
Combine: Pour the frothed milk over the hojicha paste. The hot milk will blend seamlessly with the paste, creating a uniform caramel-colored latte.
Sweeten and serve: Add honey or maple syrup if desired and stir gently. Dust the top with a pinch of hojicha powder or cinnamon for a café-quality presentation.

Iced Hojicha Latte Variation

For an iced version, prepare the hojicha paste with hot water as directed, then pour over a glass filled with ice. Add cold milk and sweetener, stir well, and enjoy. The iced hojicha latte from Senbird Tea is refreshing in summer while maintaining the full roasted flavor profile of the hot version.

TIPS FOR THE PERFECT HOJICHA LATTE

Choose the right milk: Oat milk produces the creamiest, most café-quality hojicha latte because its natural sweetness and thick texture complement the roasted tea perfectly. Whole dairy milk is the traditional choice and creates excellent foam. Almond milk works but produces a thinner result. Coconut milk adds tropical richness but can overpower the subtle hojicha flavor. Senbird Tea recommends oat milk as the top pairing for most drinkers.

Dissolve the powder completely: The most common mistake when making a hojicha latte is not creating a smooth paste before adding milk. Hojicha powder can clump if you pour milk directly onto it. Always dissolve the powder in a small amount of hot water first, whisking until completely smooth, before adding your milk. This step takes just 15 seconds but makes the difference between a smooth latte and a gritty one.

Adjust sweetness thoughtfully: High-quality Senbird Tea hojicha powder has a natural sweetness from the Maillard reaction compounds created during roasting. Taste your latte before adding sweetener — many people find they need less sugar than expected, or none at all. If you do sweeten, honey and maple syrup complement hojicha better than white sugar because their caramel notes harmonize with the roasted tea flavor.

Temperature matters: Avoid using boiling water for the hojicha paste. While hojicha is more heat-tolerant than matcha, water above 200°F can extract slightly bitter compounds from the powder. Water around 175°F (80°C) produces the smoothest, sweetest flavor. For the milk, aim for 150-160°F — hot enough to create good foam but not so hot that it develops a scalded taste.

HOJICHA LATTE VS OTHER TEA AND COFFEE LATTES

Feature	Hojicha Latte	Matcha Latte	Chai Latte	Coffee Latte
Caffeine	7-15mg	35-70mg	25-50mg	95-150mg
Flavor	Toasty, caramel, nutty	Earthy, umami, vegetal	Spicy, sweet, warming	Bitter, roasted, bold
Color	Caramel brown	Vivid green	Golden tan	Dark brown
Sweetener Needed	Minimal to none	Usually yes	Usually included	Varies
Prep Time	5 minutes	5 minutes	10 minutes	5 minutes (espresso machine)
L-Theanine	Moderate	High	Low	None
Best Time	Afternoon, evening	Morning	Afternoon	Morning
Calorie Range	60-120 (with milk)	70-130	120-200	100-180

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOJICHA LATTES

Can I Make a Hojicha Latte with Loose-Leaf Hojicha Instead of Powder?

Yes, though the method differs. Brew a strong cup of Senbird Tea loose-leaf hojicha using double the normal amount of leaves (10 grams per 100ml water) steeped for 60-90 seconds. Strain the concentrated brew and use it as the base for your latte, adding steamed milk on top. The result will be slightly lighter in color and body compared to powder-based lattes because the loose-leaf tea produces a clear liquid rather than a suspension. For the richest, most café-quality result, hojicha powder is the preferred method.

Is a Hojicha Latte Good for You?

Hojicha lattes offer several wellness benefits. The very low caffeine content (7-15mg) means you can enjoy one in the evening without disrupting sleep — something neither coffee nor matcha lattes can claim. The L-theanine present in Senbird Tea hojicha promotes calm, focused relaxation without drowsiness. The roasted tea also contains melanoidin antioxidants that provide free radical scavenging activity. By choosing a low-sugar preparation with oat or dairy milk, your hojicha latte becomes a genuinely health-supportive beverage rather than just an indulgence.

What Does a Hojicha Latte Taste Like?

A hojicha latte tastes warm, toasty, and naturally sweet — like a cross between a caramel latte and a roasted nut milk. The dominant flavors are roasted grain, light caramel, and a subtle smokiness that sets it apart from any coffee-based drink. There is zero bitterness, which surprises many first-time drinkers who expect the tea to taste similar to coffee. The milk softens and rounds out the roasted notes, creating a comforting, dessert-like experience. Many coffee lovers who try Senbird Tea hojicha lattes find them just as satisfying but significantly gentler on the stomach and nervous system.

Can I Use a Hojicha Latte as a Coffee Replacement?

Many people successfully transition from coffee to hojicha lattes, particularly for afternoon and evening caffeine habits. While hojicha does not replicate coffee's bold bitterness or high caffeine kick, the warm, roasted flavor profile satisfies a similar craving for something rich and comforting. The L-theanine in Senbird Tea hojicha provides gentle mental clarity without the jitteriness or crash associated with coffee. For a complete coffee replacement, try starting with a matcha latte in the morning (for higher caffeine) and switching to hojicha lattes after noon.

How Many Calories Are in a Hojicha Latte?

A hojicha latte made with 8 oz of oat milk and no sweetener contains approximately 90-120 calories. With whole dairy milk, expect 100-130 calories. Adding 1 tablespoon of honey adds approximately 64 calories. The hojicha powder itself is virtually calorie-free (about 3 calories per teaspoon). Compared to many coffee shop specialty drinks that range from 200-500 calories, a homemade Senbird Tea hojicha latte is a significantly lighter option that does not sacrifice flavor or satisfaction.