Collection: Hojicha roasted green tea

Hojicha tea is a type of Japanese green tea distinguished by its unique preparation method. Unlike traditional green teas, Hojicha leaves are roasted rather than steamed, giving them a brownish color and a mild, nutty, slightly smoky flavor. This roasting also reduces the amount of caffeine, making Hojicha an ideal option for those looking for a milder drink, especially in the evening.

Hojicha is often made from bancha (tea with large, ripe leaves) or sencha green teas, which are roasted at high temperatures. This roasting process gives it a rich, comforting taste, perfect for accompanying meals or as a soothing beverage.

This tea is very popular in Japan, where it is drunk both hot and cold, and is often served after meals to aid digestion.

• Select a quality Hojicha. You can find different varieties, from whole leaf Hojicha to powdered Hojicha (often used for preparations such as desserts).

• Heat the water to around 80-90°C. As Hojicha is roasted, it doesn't need water as hot as other green teas such as Sencha.

• Use about 250 ml of water for 1 teaspoon of Hojicha tea (about 2-3 g of leaves).

• Leave the Hojicha to infuse for 1 to 2 minutes. Due to the roasting process, it releases its aromas quickly, and brewing too long could make the tea too strong. If you prefer a more intense taste, you can increase the infusion time slightly, but be careful not to prolong it too much to avoid bitterness.

• Remove the tea leaves using a sieve or tea strainer. Serve immediately in a mug.

• Hojicha can be re-infused once or twice. For each new infusion, reduce the infusion time slightly (30 seconds to 1 minute less for each subsequent infusion).

Additional tips :

• Hojicha can also be served cold in summer for a refreshing drink.
• You can adjust the amount of tea and brewing time to suit your personal preferences for strength and taste.

Hojicha tea offers many health benefits thanks to its unique properties, resulting from its roasting and low caffeine content. Here are some of its key benefits:

1. Improved digestion: The heat generated during roasting helps to calm and soothe the stomach, making Hojicha an excellent after-meal choice to aid digestion.
2. Stress reduction: Being low in caffeine, Hojicha is milder than other green teas, making it an ideal soothing drink for people sensitive to caffeine, especially in the evening.
3. Antioxidants: Although roasting reduces some of the antioxidants found in green teas, Hojicha still contains polyphenols and flavonoids, which help fight free radicals and protect the body against disease.
4. Metabolic support: Like many green teas, Hojicha can boost metabolism and support weight loss by aiding digestion and promoting good blood circulation.
5. Relaxing properties: L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea, promotes a relaxing effect and helps reduce stress and anxiety, contributing to a feeling of calm and serenity.

Hojicha tea is distinguished from other roasted teas mainly by its manufacturing process and its taste characteristics:

Method of preparation:

Hojicha is made from green tea (often bancha or sencha), which is roasted at high temperatures after harvesting. Other roasted teas, such as Genmaicha or Kamairi-cha, can also be roasted, but Hojicha is characterized by a longer roasting time, giving it smokier, nuttier aromas.

Taste:

Hojicha has sweet, roasted and caramelized flavors, with hints of smoke. Compared with other roasted teas such as Genmaicha (a blend of green tea and puffed rice), Hojicha has a more subtle taste, without the toasted rice notes. It is often sweeter and less herbaceous than other green teas.

Caffeine:

Due to the roasting process, Hojicha contains less caffeine than other roasted or unroasted green teas, making it an ideal beverage for those seeking to limit their caffeine intake, especially in the evening.

Type of tea used:

Hojicha is often made with bancha, a tea made from more mature leaves, while other roasted teas like Genmaicha use younger leaves, often sencha.

Hojicha is the perfect tea to enjoy at any time of day. With its low caffeine content, it is particularly recommended in the evening to relax or before bedtime. This roasted tea is also ideal after meals, thanks to its digestive properties and mild, comforting taste. Whether for an afternoon break or a moment of calm, Hojicha offers a soothing, flavorful experience.