Hojicha Latte Recipe (Toasty, Nutty & Naturally Low-Caffeine)

Meet the hojicha latte. It’s a cozy cup of roasted Japanese green tea, mixed with creamy milk and a gentle sweetness.

Unlike matcha or regular green tea, hojicha is roasted. That roast gives it a warm, nutty flavor—almost like toast and caramel had a quiet conversation. Smooth. Comforting. Never grassy.

This drink is for coffee lovers who want to slow down. For anyone cutting back on caffeine. And for evenings when coffee feels like a bad idea, but a cozy mug still sounds just right.

What Is Hojicha?

Hojicha is a Japanese green tea that takes a different path than most.

Instead of being steamed and left green, the tea leaves are roasted over high heat, a method that became popular in Japan in the 1920s as a way to use older leaves and stems without waste.

That roast changes everything. The bright, grassy notes you expect from green tea mellow out, replaced by warm flavors that lean nutty, toasty, and slightly caramel-like.

It also burns off much of the caffeine, which is why hojicha feels gentle and calm rather than buzzy.

Matcha, by contrast, is bold and grassy, finely ground, and higher in caffeine since you drink the whole leaf. Sencha sits in the middle. It’s fresh, vegetal, and brisk, with a clean green bite.

If matcha is espresso and sencha is drip coffee, hojicha is the evening decaf you reach for when the day winds down, and your shoulders finally drop.

Why You’ll Love a Hojicha Latte

Warm, Nutty, Caramel-Like Taste

A hojicha latte tastes like comfort in liquid form. The roasted tea brings out soft nutty notes, a hint of toast, and a gentle caramel warmth that feels familiar but not sweet-heavy. It’s smooth, not grassy.

Cozy, not sharp. If coffee ever feels too bold or matcha feels too green, hojicha lands right in the sweet spot.

Naturally Low Caffeine

Hojicha is roasted, and that roasting lowers the caffeine. That means you can enjoy a full mug without your heart doing jumping jacks.

It’s the kind of drink you reach for in the afternoon or after dinner when you want something warm but still plan on sleeping like a rock.

Gentle on the Stomach

This tea is easygoing. No harsh bitterness. No acidic bite.

Many people find hojicha much kinder on the stomach than coffee or strong green tea, especially on empty mornings or calm evenings.

Cozy Café Vibes at Home

A hojicha latte turns your kitchen into a quiet café corner. Steam rising. Mug warming your hands. Life slowing down for a minute.

You get all the comfort of a coffee shop drink without the line, the noise, or the price tag, and you don’t even have to change out of your pajamas!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Hojicha powder or hojicha tea leaves
  This is the heart of the drink. Powder gives a richer, café-style latte, while tea leaves create a lighter, more traditional flavor.
• Milk options (dairy + plant-based)
  Whole milk makes it creamy and smooth. Oat, almond, or soy milk works just as well and adds its own subtle twist.
• Sweeteners (honey, maple syrup, sugar, sugar-free options)
  A little sweetness brings out the roasted notes. Use what you love, and adjust to taste.
• Optional flavor add-ins (vanilla, cinnamon)
  These are small extras with big payoffs. Vanilla adds warmth, while cinnamon leans into the cozy, toasty vibe.

How to Make a Hojicha Latte (Step-by-Step)

1. Preparing the Hojicha (Powder vs Tea Leaves)

Start with your tea. If you’re using hojicha powder, whisk it with a small amount of hot water until smooth. No lumps allowed. Think silky, not sandy.

If you’re using hojicha tea leaves, steep them in hot water for a few minutes, then strain. Go a little strong here. Milk will mellow everything out later.

2. Heating and Frothing the Milk

Warm your milk on the stove or in the microwave until it’s hot but not boiling. Steaming, not screaming. Froth it if you can.

A milk frother works best, but a jar with a lid or a quick whisk gets the job done, too. Foam is optional, but it does make the drink feel café-fancy.

3. Sweetening and Assembling the Latte

Add your sweetener while the tea and milk are hot. This helps it dissolve smoothly. Pour the hojicha into your mug, then add the warm milk.

Stir gently. This isn’t a race. Let the flavors meet and get comfortable with each other.

4. Final Stir and Serving Tips

Give it one last stir and take a quick taste. Too mild? Add more tea. Not sweet enough? Fix it now. Serve it warm in your favorite mug and enjoy it slowly. A hojicha latte isn’t meant to be rushed.

Iced Hojicha Latte Variation

How to Prepare Hojicha for Iced Drinks

Start strong. Iced drinks need bold flavor, or they taste watered down fast. If you’re using hojicha powder, whisk it with a small amount of hot water until fully smooth, then let it cool.

For tea leaves, steep them a little longer than usual, then chill the tea. Hot first, cold later. That’s the trick.

Best Milk Choices for Iced Hojicha

Cold hojicha loves creamy milk. Oat milk is a crowd favorite because it’s smooth and slightly sweet. Whole milk keeps things rich and balanced.

Almond milk works too, especially if you like a lighter finish. Use what you enjoy, not what the internet tells you to.

Sweetening Without Graininess

Cold drinks expose bad sweetening fast. Granulated sugar can sink and sulk at the bottom. Instead, use liquid sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or simple syrup.

Add them while the hojicha is still warm so everything blends cleanly. No grit. No sad last sip.

Tips for the Best Hojicha Latte

Choosing High-Quality Hojicha Powder

Good hojicha makes a big difference. Look for powder that smells warm and roasted, not stale or smoky. The color should be light brown, not dark like cocoa.

If it smells like toast or nuts, you’re on the right track. If it smells burnt, walk away.

Avoiding Bitterness

Hojicha is forgiving, but it has limits. Use hot water, not boiling. Roasted tea doesn’t like to be scorched twice.

Steep just long enough to pull flavor, then stop. Too much heat or time can turn cozy into bitter fast.

Getting a Smooth, Lump-Free Texture

Lumps are the enemy of a good latte. Always mix hojicha powder with a small amount of hot water first.

Whisk well until smooth before adding milk. Think paint, not sand. A quick whisk now saves regret later.

Adjusting Strength to Taste

Everyone’s “perfect” cup is different. Start mild and build up. Add more hojicha if you want a deeper flavor, or more milk if you want it softer. Taste as you go. Your mug, your rules.

Hojicha Latte Flavor Variations

Vanilla Hojicha Latte

Add a small splash of vanilla extract or syrup. It smooths out the roasted notes and makes the latte taste extra warm and round. Think bakery vibes without the sugar rush.

Honey Hojicha Latte

Swap regular sweetener for honey. It pairs beautifully with the nutty, toasted flavor of hojicha and adds a soft floral touch. Stir it in while the drink is hot so it melts in without a fight.

Oat Milk Hojicha Latte

Oat milk is a natural match. It’s creamy, slightly sweet, and lets the roasted tea shine. If you want a latte that feels rich without being heavy, this is the one to reach for.

Coconut Hojicha Latte

Use coconut milk for a subtle tropical twist. It adds richness and a hint of sweetness that plays well with hojicha’s toasty notes.

Health & Nutrition Notes

Caffeine Content

Hojicha is very low in caffeine compared to most teas and coffee. A typical cup of hojicha contains about 7–20 mg of caffeine, depending on how strong it’s brewed.

For comparison, a cup of coffee has around 90–100 mg, and matcha can range from 60–70 mg per serving. In other words, hojicha gives you warmth and flavor without the buzz.

Antioxidants

Even though it’s roasted, hojicha still contains antioxidants from green tea.

The levels are lower than matcha, but they’re still present and beneficial. It’s more about gentle, steady support than a big nutritional punch.

Is Hojicha Good for Evenings?

Yes, absolutely. Thanks to its low caffeine, hojicha is ideal for afternoons and evenings. You can sip it after dinner without worrying about staring at the ceiling later.

Is It Suitable for Sensitive Stomachs?

Many people find hojicha easier on the stomach than coffee or stronger green teas. It’s low in acidity and lacks harsh bitterness.

If your stomach tends to be dramatic, hojicha is usually the calm, well-mannered guest.

Final Words

A hojicha latte is proof that simple can still feel special. It’s warm, calm, and quietly comforting.

Make it your way. Stronger, creamier, sweeter, or plain. There’s no wrong turn here!

FAQs

Does a hojicha latte contain caffeine?

Yes, but very little. A typical hojicha latte has about 7–20 mg of caffeine, depending on how strong you make it. That’s far less than coffee or matcha, which is why it’s great for later in the day.

Can I make it without milk?

Absolutely. You can enjoy hojicha plain with hot water for a lighter, tea-style drink. It won’t be a latte in the classic sense, but it’s still warm, smooth, and comforting.

Can I use hojicha tea bags instead of powder?

Yes, you can. Tea bags work well and are easy to find. Just steep them a bit stronger since milk will soften the flavor. Powder gives a richer café-style result, but both are delicious.

Is a hojicha latte vegan?

It can be. Use plant-based milk like oat, almond, soy, or coconut, and choose a vegan sweetener such as maple syrup or sugar.

Can I make it sugar-free?

Yes. You can skip the sweetener entirely or use sugar-free options like stevia or monk fruit. Hojicha’s roasted flavor is naturally smooth, so it doesn’t need much help.