What Is Hojicha Tea: Your Complete Guide
There are dozens of different varieties of tea available, but have you heard about hojicha?
If you’ve never tasted hojicha tea, you likely miss out on a unique and flavorful experience. It’s safe to say that no other tea is quite like this Japanese tea.
So, what is hojicha?
Hojicha tea is a popular Japanese tea that is derived from green tea. What makes hojicha so special is the roasting process. Roasting green tea at high temperatures gives you a distinct nutty, earthy, and mellow sweet flavor. It also has a beautifully roasted reddish-brown color. All of these are the characteristics of a well-made hojicha tea.
If you want to learn more about hojicha tea, keep reading. I’ll explain what hojicha is, its taste profile, its health benefits, and its brewing method. By the end of this article, you’ll be closer to being a tea connoisseur.
What Is Hojicha?
Hojicha is a unique variety of green tea historically grown in Kyoto, Japan. In Japanese, Houji means “roast” and cha means “tea” so when both words are combined, you get hojicha. It has been consumed for hundreds of years across Japan and is also growing in popularity worldwide.
Hojicha is a unique tea due to its roasting process. The tea leaves are roasted in a drum roaster over high heat. This process gives it a distinct roasted aroma and flavor, making it one of Japan’s most popular green teas.
It has a deep reddish-brown color and a pleasant roasted flavor with light umami notes. Unlike regular green teas, Hojicha has much lower caffeine. It also has a mellow sweet taste.
If you can’t find hojicha in your local tea shop, you can make it yourself by roasting sencha tea leaves at home. You’ll know that green tea has transformed into hojicha when the color and smell change.
How Is Hojicha Made?
The essence of hojicha lies within the roasting process. The roasting gives it a unique flavor, aroma, and reddish-brown color. It also has low caffeine content compared to other types of green tea. This is because the roasting temperature exceeds caffeine’s natural boiling point, reducing the amount.
To make hojicha, good quality bancha leaves are chosen. Then, they are sorted and de-chaffed before roasting over high heat for 25 minutes. After roasting, the tea leaves are dried in ovens and packed for storage or sale. Temperature control is important in this process to avoid dryness or burning.
What Does Hojicha Taste Like?
The flavor of hojicha tea is toasty and nutty, with a mellow sweetness. The leaves turn amber from roasting give, giving the tea a golden brown color.
Its aroma is unlike other teas due to the roasting process. Some people can even smell hints of earthy, woody, and smoky aromas. It has less caffeine, making it great for anyone who wants to drink tea at night. Hojicha also pairs well with food because it doesn’t interfere with the flavors.
The taste can range from sweet and earthy to full-bodied with roasted nutty notes. The color varies from light chestnut to mahogany brown, depending on how long it was roasted and the type of leaves used. Despite the color and tone, hojicha usually has a pleasant and unique taste, plus a subtle sweetness at the end of each sip.
6 Hojicha Health Benefits
Not only does it taste great, but it also offers health benefits.
Hojicha has less caffeine than regular green tea, so it’s great for those wanting to reduce their caffeine intake while still getting a natural boost. Its lower caffeine content helps avoid jitters or headaches due to dehydration.
Plus, it contains twice as many catechins as regular green tea. Catechins are healthy antioxidants that reduce inflammation, fight free radicals, and improve immune function. They may also help you maintain a healthy weight by improving your metabolism.
1. Relieves daily stress
Since hojicha is derived from green tea, it also contains L-theanine. L-theanine is a powerful amino acid that reduces stress and anxiety.
Hojicha also has significantly less caffeine than other teas, such as matcha, green tea, and Sencha. Combining L-theanine and lower caffeine content can help relieve stress and improve relaxation.
3. Keeps the immune system strong
In addition to the calming effects of L-theanine, it’s also known to support the immune system. L-theanine has an anti-inflammatory effect, which can help the body fight infections and sicknesses such as the cold, flu, or other viruses.
Additionally, hojicha contains polyphenols that have antiviral properties. It also contains vitamins A, C, and E, which have been proven to fight against the common cold and improve the immune system,
2. Reduces inflammation in the body
Hojicha tea contains more antioxidants than traditional teas such as green or black tea. Antioxidants are known to fight against free radicals that can cause damage to the body. These free radicals can lead to cancer risk if they go unchecked.
The catechins in this tea can help reduce inflammation, regulate cholesterol, and fight against cardiovascular diseases.
4. Protects oral health and bad breath
Hojicha tea can be a good remedy for bad breath and cavities. It contains EGCG, an antioxidant in green tea that can support oral health. The polyphenols found in hojicha tea can also prevent gingivitis and gum disease.
5. Helps improve metabolism
The catechins in hojicha tea stimulate metabolism, which can help with weight loss and burning additional calories. Drinking tea daily is a great addition if you’re on a diet. It also contains no calories, meaning drinking this tea won’t break your fast.
Hojicha is a clean and healthy tea packed with numerous health benefits. This tea could be perfect if you’re looking for an alternative to coffee or other caffeinated drinks.
6. Reduce bloating and help digestion
Hojicha can help support a healthy gut. Catechins in this tea can help reduce gut lining inflammation, bloating, and gas. It’s also proven to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive issues.
How Much Caffeine Is In Hojicha Tea?
The roasting process reduces a lot of the caffeine content in hojicha tea. Hojicha tea has less caffeine content compared to other popular teas. This makes it easy to drink and refreshing, even late at night.
An 8-ounce serving of hojicha tea contains 7-10 milligrams of caffeine. This is a third of caffeine compared to traditional green tea, which has 30-50 milligrams.
What’s The Difference: Hojicha vs Matcha
Hojicha and matcha are both types of Japanese tea that many people enjoy for their great flavor and potential health benefits. But, they are processed differently, resulting in differences in caffeine levels.
Matcha and hojicha are made from the same plant species, Camellia sinensis. Matcha is made from tea leaves grown in the shade for weeks before harvesting. This gives the leaves a higher concentration of nutrients, including polyphenols and caffeine. The leaves are then grounded into a powder and stirred into hot water to make matcha.
Hojicha is made from standard sencha tea leaves that are roasted until they become light brown. The roasting reduces the caffeine content, making it a great option for those who want to reduce or avoid caffeine intake. It also contain smaller amounts of antioxidants known as catechins and L-theanine, which may provide calming effects on the body’s nervous system.
How to Brew Hojicha Tea
Here is how to make a perfect cup!
- Heat filtered water until it’s boiling at 175°F.
- Add 2-3 teaspoons of hojicha for every 8 ounces.
- Steep the hojicha leaves for 30 seconds.
- Strain into a cup and enjoy.
- Steep again for 30 seconds for a second or third cup.
FAQ About Hojicha Tea
Does hojicha taste like green tea?
Hojicha is a variety of green tea, but it has a different taste due to its roasting process. It has a smoky aroma and a toasty flavor with hints of nuttiness. It’s unique, with less caffeine and lower tannins than other green teas. Some say it tastes like regular green tea without bitterness or astringency, while others describe it as similar to roasted nuts or grains.
Is hojicha good for health?
Hojicha is a tea packed with antioxidants that have many health benefits. It contains catechins, saponins, and antioxidants known to benefit human health. Studies demonstrate that consuming hojicha can help avoid cardiovascular disease, obesity, type two diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. Plus, its antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties. It also supports digestion, immunity, and cancer prevention.
Is hojicha high in caffeine?
Hojicha goes through a roasting process at high temperatures. This reduces the caffeine content greatly compared to other types of green tea. Hojicha contains approximately 7 to 10 milligrams of caffeine, much lower than matcha or gyokuro.
High-quality tea leaves result in higher caffeine content. Longer steeping times increase caffeine extraction from tea leaves.
Which is healthier matcha or hojicha?
Matcha and hojicha are both great healthy options. Both contain catechins, which reduce inflammation and improve heart health. But it has fewer catechins due to the roasting process. It also has less caffeine than matcha so you won’t get jittery.
As brewed teas, they are a low-calorie choice with lots of flavors. In the end, it comes down to personal preference. See what your body needs to decide which one is right for you.
Does hojicha keep you awake?
Most green teas contain natural stimulants like caffeine, but hojicha has less. Caffeine can give you energy and help you focus. But if you drink it too close to bedtime, it can keep us up. However, drinking hojicha before bed can have the opposite effect. One study found that people who drank it felt more alert during the day and had better quality sleep.
Hojicha is perfect for late afternoon or evening because it has low caffeine. Its balanced flavor and low caffeine make it a great substitute for coffee for those wanting to cut down on their caffeine intake.
Final Thoughts
Hojicha tea is unique and sets itself apart because of its color and flavor. Roasting green tea leaves at high temperatures gives them a distinct nutty aroma and reddish-brown color. The high heat also reduces a lot of caffeine content.
If you’re curious about hojicha tea or its taste, it’s definitely worth a try. You’ll be pleasantly delighted by the subtly sweet and roasted aroma.
