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Hojicha

ほうじ茶, Hōjicha

8.2/10 editor's score

Japanese green tea roasted until it turns reddish-brown. Toasty and nutty, with little bitterness, and a favourite in the evening and with milk.

RoastedGentleEvening
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Hojicha, top-down

What you need

3 g leafHojicha
250 ml water90 to 100°C
Steep 0:453 steeps
LiquorClear red-brown
Served inKyūsu and yunomi

At a glance

Japanese green tea roasted until it turns reddish-brown.

CaffeineLow~10 to 25 mg, our estimate
MilkGood as a latte with steamed milk.
Beginner fit9.5 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestMade from later-season leafBancha from summer and autumn is roasted.
Pairs withGrilled fish, Rice dishes, Sweet potato, Dark chocolateLess good with delicate citrus desserts
Grown atLeaf from many Japanese regionsUji, Kyoto
Served inKyūsu and yunomiJapanese teapot, tall cup

About Hojicha

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe hojicha as nutty, toasty and sweet with little or no bitterness, a little smoky with boiling water 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

UjiKyotoJAPAN
Origin
Created by a Kyoto merchant in 1920 1
Base
Usually bancha, the later harvests 1
Roast
Roasted at about 150°C 1
Cup
Clear red-brown, nutty 1

More from Uji and Japan.

History and culture

Hojicha was discovered in 1920 when a Kyoto merchant roasted unsold bancha 1.

Editor's score

8.2/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 7.5Origin & heritage: 7.5Availability: 8.5Value: 8.5Beginner-friendliness: 9.5Versatility: 9.0Flavour 7.5Heritage 7.5Availability 8.5Value 8.5Beginners 9.5Versatility 9.0
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg
Hojicha~10 to 25 mg

Our estimate. Roasting and the older leaf make it a gentle cup. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Hojicha is usually made from later-season bancha 1. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Camellia sinensis, from bancha, sencha or kukicha leaf 1.

How it is made
01Base tea

Bancha, sencha or twig tea 1.

02Roasting

Roasted at high heat, about 150°C 1.

03Cooling

Cooled and packed.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafBrown, flat leaf and twigs.
LiquorClear red-brown.
After steeping
Wet leafBrown, soft leaf.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Grilled fish
  • Rice dishes
  • Sweet potato
  • Dark chocolate

Best avoided

  • Delicate citrus desserts

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque container, away from light, heat and smells.
  • Green tea fades fastest: aim to finish it within 3 to 6 months of opening.
  • Unopened sealed packs can go in the fridge. Let them reach room temperature before opening.
Grades and fakes

Leaf hojicha, twig hojicha (kuki) and powder are common styles 1.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Smell it: it should be toasty, not burnt or stale.
  2. Powdered hojicha is for lattes and baking.
FAQ
Is it low in caffeine?

It is usually gentle, as it is made from older leaf and roasted.

Can I use boiling water?

Yes, it tolerates it and gets a little smokier 1.

Find it inGreen teasTeas from JapanUjiRoastedGentleEvening

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Hōjicha". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C5%8Djicha
  2. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.