Hojicha Latte Recipe

Hojicha Latte (ほうじ茶ラテ) is a comforting hot drink made with deeply roasted, aromatic Hojicha and rich, frothy milk. Once a specialty found mainly in Japan, it has recently become a café staple, now enjoyed at local coffee shops and tea lounges around the world—and it’s quickly becoming a trendy favorite in the U.S. Whether lightly sweetened or enjoyed as is, a Hojicha latte is the perfect companion for a relaxing afternoon break, offering a gentle, toasty warmth that soothes both the body and mind.

What’s Hojicha Latte?

Hojicha tea is made by roasting tea leaves, such as sencha green tea, over high heat until they turn brown. Originally, it was an everyday tea prepared at home by pan-roasting older tea leaves. Through this roasting process, the leaves are transformed into Hojicha, known for its toasty aroma and light, refreshing flavor. Although Hojicha is not considered a high-grade tea, its fragrant, roasted aroma refreshes the palate, making it a popular choice as an after-meal tea.

Traditionally, lattes were made with espresso, but over the past decade, tea-based versions have become increasingly common. Matcha lattes, in particular, grew wildly popular and are now staple items at cafés and coffee shops. Around the mid-2010s, a Hojicha boom began in Japan, leading to the creation of many Hojicha-based sweets, including lattes and a wide variety of desserts. As a result, Hojicha gained renewed attention from younger generations, and its appeal was rediscovered. This trend soon spread beyond Japan, and Hojicha lattes are now commonly seen in many cafés in this country.

Hojicha lattes are especially loved for the balance of the tea’s roasted aroma and the mellow richness of milk. In addition, the roasting process reduces caffeine content, making Hojicha a great option for those who are sensitive to caffeine. Its gentle, relaxing character has also contributed to its growing popularity.

Tips and substitutions for Hojicha Latte

• If you’d like to shorten the process, you can use tea bags instead of loose tea leaves.
• For a stronger tea flavor, steep the loose tea in boiling water for about one minute.
• Feel free to try different types of milk, such as soy or oat milk, if you prefer a non-dairy option. We used a milk frother to make foam, but simply heating the milk works just as well.
• Add sweetener to taste. Sugar is a classic choice, but maple syrup or honey will add their own unique aroma and flavor to the drink.

More recipes like Hojicha Latte

• Matcha Latte
• Genmaicha Latte
• Iced Hojicha Milk Tea