Trending 31st October 2025 by Stellar Magazine

Is Hojicha The New Matcha?

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With its warm, nutty and toasty flavour profile, this Japanese roasted green tea is becoming a signature comfort drink for many. Hojicha is made by roasting tea leaves, stems and stalks over charcoal, creating a smoky yet sweet taste and a distinct golden brown colour.

Hojicha was created in Kyoto in the 1920s, as a way of using leftover mature green tea leaves from later harvests. The tea quickly became a beloved drink thanks to its aromatic flavours, and has recently seen a major surge in popularity outside of Japan with the help of social media.

Following a similar trending timeline to matcha, will hojicha become the next big thing in our cafés?

 

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While matcha is known for its umami and grassy notes and is high in caffeine, hojicha has a roasted and sweet taste, and is recognised for its calming effect due its low caffeine content. With utterly different profiles, the differences between hojicha and matcha are endless, despite the teas being developed from the same Japanese leaves!

The demand for hojicha goes beyond its comforting taste profile. It is rich in antioxidants and contains L-Theanine which can ease the symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety.

As well as this, the Vitamin C within the hojicha can undo skin damage such as acne scarring and lighten dark spots on the skin. With a wide range of health benefits, hojicha might soon become a staple in everyone’s pantry!

@kristeacafe maple bourbon vanilla hojicha latte 🍁🥃🤎 recipe: 〰️1tsp bourbon vanilla paste 〰️1-2tsp maple syrup 〰️1/2cup milk 〰️ice 〰️hojicha shot (2-3tsp hojicha powder + 50ml warm water)   #homecafe #homebarista #aestheticdrinks #tealover #teatime #hojicha #hojichalatte #maplesyrup #bourbonvanilla ♬ pump by sayso – 22 🧙‍♂️

Hojicha comes in many different forms. You can buy loose leaf hojicha, hojicha teabags and of course hojicha powder, which tends to be used for making the renowned hojicha lattes. The drink can be served hot or iced depending on your preference, and feel free to add sugar syrup or any other flavouring to get that sweeter taste.

If you’re looking for some nearby café spots in Dublin where you can get hojicha lattes, why not try OMMA on Clarendone Street, Matcha Matsukawa at George’s Dock, or Proper Order in Smithfield. Or if you’re looking to make your own hojicha lattes you can order authentically made hojicha powder from Hojicha Co. or from Tea Cups. 

While hojicha has of course seen a surge in popularity in recent times, matcha remains undefeated in its traction both online and in every coffee shop! But who knows, maybe in the near future we will see an ultimate hojicha takeover…

Words by Leah Foran