Imagine curling up by the fireplace on a chilly Saturday night—that’s the cozy feeling a mug of hojicha latte brings. This smoky, roasted tea latte is wonderfully comforting and gently warms you without the caffeine. With a little insider knowledge from my favorite Tokyo barista, I’ll show you exactly how to make it just right.
Jump to Recipe
Today, I’m sharing a recipe for making your own delicious hojicha latte at home—perfect for when you crave that roasted flavor and toasty warmth. Enjoy it without leaving your home and still feel like you're relaxing at a cozy café in Japan.
- What is a Hojicha Latte?
- What does Hojicha Latte taste like?
- Why You'll Love This Hojicha Latte Recipe
- Ingredients for Hojicha Latte
- Essential Tools for Making a Hojicha Latte
- How to Make Hojicha Latte: Step-by-Step Recipe
- Tips for the Perfect Hojicha Latte from a Pro Barista
- What Can I Pair with a Hojicha Latte?
- Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Hojicha Latte?
A hojicha latte is a creamy, comforting beverage that’s popular in Japan. It’s made with hojicha (ほうじ茶)—roasted green tea—and milk or a dairy-free alternative like oat or almond milk.
In Tokyo, these lattes are most often enjoyed hot during the colder months. However, iced hojicha lattes are a refreshing option, occasionally appearing on menus at popular chains like Doutor and smaller, independent coffee shops.
Sweetened vs. Unsweetened Options
Many versions—like those served at Starbucks—are lightly sweetened with simple syrup, honey, kuromitsu (a Japanese “black honey” syrup), or sugar. Personally, I've learned to appreciate the natural, subtle sweetness that hojicha and milk create together. I often make a request for no added syrup, especially at Starbucks, just to avoid the added sugar.
Why Hojicha Is Perfect for the Afternoon
Hojicha is naturally low in caffeine, making it an ideal choice for unwinding during an afternoon tea break. Here’s how it fits into my weekend routine:
- Matcha = Morning pick-me-up
- Hojicha = Afternoon unwind
My body is rarely without green tea in one form or another.
Curious to learn more? Check out this post: What is Hojicha Tea – The Toastiest of Green Teas to dive deeper into its caffeine content, health benefits, and why it’s cherished in Japan and beyond.

What does Hojicha Latte taste like?
Have you ever tasted the comforting warmth of a hojicha latte? What sets it apart is its signature nutty and toasty flavor. Roasting transforms hojicha into a mellow, aromatic tea that pairs beautifully with creamy milk—whether dairy or plant-based. It’s perfect for anyone seeking a smoother, less bitter alternative to matcha.
With earthy and woody aromas, hojicha sheds the grassiness and seaweed-like notes of traditional green tea. Instead, it develops a unique flavor profile—sweet, smoky, or even caramel-like—depending on how it’s roasted and brewed.
The milk you choose can tailor the experience to your preferences. Full-fat milk adds a rich, indulgent texture, while plant-based options like oat or almond milk bring a lighter touch. Either way, the result is a velvety latte reminiscent of a well-made chai.
And just like a steaming mug of hot cocoa, a hojicha latte offers cozy comfort. It’s perfect for moments when you crave warmth, soothing relaxation, or a little “me time.”
Craving a taste? You can easily make your own hojicha latte at home!
Why You'll Love This Hojicha Latte Recipe
On a cold winter’s afternoon in Japan, there’s nothing better than curling up with a warm, toasty hojicha latte. Its low caffeine content makes it the perfect weekend treat—ideal for relaxing afternoons without losing sleep.
While I’m completely obsessed with my three-layered matcha coffee lattes and creamy coconut matcha lattes, those are reserved for mornings when I'm still in my pajamas. But for the afternoons? This low-caffeine tea latte is easily my favorite.
Try this soothing hojicha latte and experience the comfort of Japan in every sip. I hope this recipe inspires you to take some time for yourself and get that warm and cozy feeling. You deserve to feel this good!
❤️ & ☕ from Japan, Matt
Recipe at a Glance
Cuisine— Japanese Course— Drink Dietary Info— Vegetarian, Dairy-free (Vegan option) Skill Level— Low

Ingredients for Hojicha Latte
1. Hojicha Powder
- For the best taste and texture, I recommend using hojicha powder. Like matcha, its ultra-fine texture blends beautifully with milk, creating a smooth, creamy consistency without clumps.
- If you only have loose-leaf hojicha, don’t worry—it works too! Simply brew it directly, or grind the leaves into powder at home. To do this, blend loose leaves in a spice grinder or blender until finely ground. Then sift to remove larger particles.
2. Milk
- For a creamy latte, whole milk is ideal, but non-dairy alternatives work beautifully too. Oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk are all excellent choices, each bringing its own unique flavor.
3. Sweetener
- Use your favorite sweetener, or skip it entirely for a naturally earthy hojicha latte. My top pick is kuromitsu (黒蜜), a dark syrup made from Okinawa’s kokuto (black cane sugar). Its rich, molasses-like flavor perfectly complements hojicha.
- Other great options include maple syrup, honey, or a touch of brown sugar. Commonly used in Japan, kibisato (きび砂糖), a light brown sugar, also works wonderfully to sweeten the latte.
4. Optional Toppings
These two combinations stood out during my tests:
- Kuromitsu with sweetened kinako (soybean powder): A traditional pairing often found in Japanese desserts. It adds a nutty, slightly savory sweetness that complements the hojicha flavor.
- Maple syrup with pecan nuts: Perfect if you’re outside Japan. This combination is earthy, sweet, and easy to find, bringing a comforting richness to the latte.

Essential Tools for Making a Hojicha Latte
Creating a warm, frothy hojicha latte at home is easier than you think, even without an espresso machine. With just a few budget-friendly tools, you can achieve café-quality results.
Must-Have Tools
1. A Kettle or Pot
Used for heating water to brew your hojicha.
2. A Small Whisk or Spoon
For mixing hojicha powder into hot water until it's fully dissolved.
3. A Saucepan or Microwave
For heating milk as an alternative to a frother.

Optional Tools for a Perfect Hojicha Latte
1. Chasen (Bamboo Whisk)
The traditional Japanese whisk used to prepare matcha can also work wonderfully for hojicha, giving a touch of authenticity to your latte-making process.
If you were making a cup of matcha, I do recommend using a bamboo whisk. For this hojicha recipe, it's not needed. You really don't even need a spoon.
2. Milk Frother (Manual or Electric)
Not essential, but a handheld frother is a great investment if you want that luxurious, foamy texture in your milk. They’re affordable, easy to use, and make a noticeable difference in both the presentation and taste of your latte.
Pro Tips:
- If you don’t have a frother, you can still get foamy milk by vigorously shaking warm milk in a sealed jar or whisking it in a saucepan.
- Invest in a thermometer if you often overheat or underheat milk. Aim for about 60–65°C (140–150°F) for the best texture and flavor.

How to Make Hojicha Latte: Step-by-Step Recipe
Prepare the Hojicha
Hojicha tea powder: Pour 20 g of hot water (approximately 90°C = 194°F) onto the hojicha powder in a heatproof cup, mug, or chawan bowl. Just like matcha powder, you can mix it using a bamboo whisk. If you don't have one, it's not necessary. Holding the cup and giving it a good swirl does the trick! I recommend using hojicha powder for making hojicha lattes.
Looseleaf hojicha leaves or tea bags: You can use hot water ranging from 80° to 95°C (175°-200°F) because it’s hard to burn this roasted sort of tea – so feel free to explore, adjust the water temperature and see how that affects the flavor of your hojicha.
As a rule, the hotter the water – the more caffeine is extracted. That means if you’re caffeine-sensitive, make sure to use water around 80° and shorter steep times.
Prepare the Milk
These are three easy ways to steam or froth milk for your hojicha latte, depending on the tools you have:
- Using a Milk Frother (Handheld or Electric)
- Pour cold or warm milk into your frother, following the device's instructions.
- Froth until the milk doubles in volume and has a smooth, velvety texture.
- Using the Stovetop
- Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until it’s warm but not boiling (about 60–65°C / 140–150°F). Stir occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Once heated, transfer the milk to a heatproof container and froth using a handheld frother, a whisk, or by vigorously shaking it in a sealed jar.
- Using the Microwave
- Heat milk in a microwave-safe container for 30–45 seconds (adjust time depending on your microwave’s power).
- Froth the warmed milk using a handheld frother, whisk, or by shaking it in a jar.
Assemble the Latte
- How to combine the brewed Hojicha and milk.
- How to sweeten it (optional).
Optional Garnishes
- You can sprinkle some extra hojicha powder, kinako powder on top. Then, I like drizzle kuromitsu on top, going back in forth to make long zig-zag lines.

Tips for the Perfect Hojicha Latte from a Pro Barista
First, a huge thank you to Mizuki for sharing her expertise week after week! Her barista tips have truly elevated my hojicha latte game.
Here's what she taught me:
- Dairy or Plant-Based Milk: Mizuki explained that both dairy and plant-based milks, like oat, almond, and soy, work beautifully with hojicha. Each one brings a slightly different flavor, so it’s worth experimenting.
- Sweetener Timing: Add your sweetener directly to the hojicha mixture before pouring in the milk or plant-based alternative. If you prefer a sweeter taste, drizzle a little more sweetener on top for balance.
- Fixing a Grainy Texture: When one latte (made with 1.5 tsp of hojicha powder) turned out grainy, Mizuki used her steam wand to mix it again. The result? A significantly smoother and more flavorful latte.
- Perfect Milk Proportions: As a pro, Mizuki eyeballed the perfect amount of milk for each cup, adjusting based on its size to achieve the ideal fill level.
- Iced Hojicha Latte: For an iced version, follow the same steps and pour the latte over a tall glass of ice. It’s refreshing and just as delicious! Mizuki says you may want to add some additional sweetener to iced version.
Non-Dairy (Vegan) Variation
For a vegan hojicha latte, simply use your favorite plant-based milk like oat, almond, or coconut. Pair it with vegan-friendly sweeteners such as maple syrup or kuromitsu for a perfectly balanced flavor.

Where to Find Hojicha
If you’re in Japan, hojicha tea leaves and tea bags are easy to find at most supermarkets. However, hojicha powder can be surprisingly elusive, even in Tokyo! When I buy hojicha, I typically choose organic varieties from Kyoto (Uji), Shizuoka, or Kagoshima—regions renowned for their quality and distinct flavor profiles.
For those outside Japan, online shopping is your best bet. Fortunately, several reputable brands offer hojicha powder with international shipping, including organic options. Here are a few recommendations:
- Nodoka: This brand offers high-quality organic powdered hojicha in various sizes, making it a great option for experimenting or stocking up. I used this brand while working on this recipe and loved its rich, nutty flavor.
- Hojicha Co.: Specializing exclusively in hojicha, this company sources its teas from Kyoto, a region renowned for its premium hojicha. Most of my favorite powders come from Kyoto—they’re perfect for lattes or desserts thanks to their naturally sweet and roasted notes.
Hojicha, sometimes spelled 'hōjicha' or 'houjicha' in Romanized Japanese, is written as ほうじ茶 on most packaging. For premium varieties, you might see it labeled 焙じ茶 instead.
Do you have a favorite place to find hojicha? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your recommendations!
What Can I Pair with a Hojicha Latte?
Hojicha latte pairs wonderfully with traditional Japanese sweets like dorayaki (red bean pancakes), yatsuhashi (cinnamon-flavored mochi), or my healthier homemade taiyaki, which perfectly balance its earthy flavors. Mochi flavored with sweetened kinako and kuromitsu offers an authentic Japanese treat.
Seasonal fruits like persimmons provide natural sweetness, while nutty desserts featuring chestnuts, pecans, or walnuts highlight its warm, roasted profile.
More Delicious Japanese Tea Recipes
Matcha Coffee Latte (This one is my favorite!)
Matcha Latte with Coconut Milk
Learn More about Japanese Tea
Hojicha– the Toastiest of Green Teas
Genmaicha vs. Green Tea: The Nuttiest of Green Teas
A Guide to Different Types of Japanese Green Tea

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Hojicha Latte Powder vs. Leaves – What's the Difference?
Hojicha powder is made by finely grinding roasted tea leaves, much like matcha. When you use hojicha powder, you’re consuming the entire tea leaf.
In contrast, hojicha made from loose leaves is brewed by steeping the leaves in water, infusing their nutty flavor without consuming the actual leaves.
Both options are delicious, but for a richer, creamier hojicha latte, I recommend using organic powdered hojicha whenever possible.
2. Do People Drink Iced Hojicha Lattes?
Absolutely! Iced hojicha lattes are a popular, refreshing summer beverage in Japan. While I personally associate hojicha lattes with cozy winter afternoons, their refreshing, nutty flavor makes them perfect for warmer weather.
Iced hojicha lattes are a fun indulgence compared to everyday cold drinks like green tea. Have you tried one yet?
3. Does Hojicha Latte Have Caffeine?
Yes, but hojicha has very little caffeine—around 7 mg per cup—significantly less than most green teas. Roasting the tea leaves reduces the caffeine content, making hojicha a gentle option for the afternoon or those sensitive to caffeine.
Tips to reduce caffeine further:
- Brew with water around 80°C (avoid boiling water).
- Limit steeping time.
- Choose hojicha blends with more twigs than leaves.
For a completely caffeine-free option, look for packages of hojicha labeled "zero-caffeine."
4. Can You Make Hojicha Powder at Home?
Yes, it’s possible to make hojicha powder at home with a few tools:
- Use a small coffee grinder, blender, or food processor with a single-serve cup.
- Add loose-leaf hojicha and secure the lid tightly.
- Blend for at least one minute to break down the leaves.
- Sift the blended powder through a fine mesh sieve to remove larger pieces or stems.
For an even finer texture, use a suribachi, a Japanese mortar and pestle, after sifting. While homemade powder won’t match the fine consistency of store-bought versions, it’s a fun experiment and a way to save money. Let me know how it turns out!

Hojicha Latte Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 - 1.5 tsp hojicha powder 4 - 6 g
- 20 mL hot water 20 g
- 150 mL milk or non-dairy alternative 5 oz or .6 cup
Optional Sweetener
- 1 tsp kuromitsu (Japanese sugar syrup) or maple syrup
Instructions
Prepare the Hojicha Powder
- Add 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of hojicha powder to a heatproof cup or mug.
- Pour hot water (about 80°C/175°F) into the cup and whisk until smooth and lump-free. You can use a bamboo chasen (whisk) or a small handheld whisk for best results.
Sweeten the Hojicha Base (Optional)
- If you like a sweeter latte, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of your preferred sweetener, such as kuromitsu, maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar. Stir until fully dissolved.
Heat Milk
- In a small saucepan, gently heat 150 ml (about .6 cup) of milk or your favorite non-dairy alternative (such as oat milk, coconut milk, or almond milk) over medium heat. Avoid boiling the milk.
- Froth the milk using a handheld frother, whisk, or steam wand until it becomes light and creamy.
Conbine and Serve
- Pour the warmed, frothy milk into the prepared hojicha base. Stir gently to combine.
Add Toppings (Optional)
- For extra sweetness, drizzle kuromitsu or maple syrup on top.
- Serve your hojicha latte hot and savor the toasty, nutty flavors.
Notes
BARISTA

Mizuki Shida Tokyo-Based Barista
Mizuki is a professional barista at Lattest in Harajuku, renowned for her latte art and passion for coffee. She recently launched her own coffee beans brand B.moon roaster, expanding her influence in the coffee world. Mizuki is also a model and influencer, sharing her coffee journey and lifestyle with fans on social media. Gaining global recognition on Terrace House: Boys & Girls in the City, she continues to inspire with her creativity and charm. Follow Mizuki on Instagram and her Youtube channel.
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