Hojicha vs Matcha: Taste, Caffeine and Which One to Choose
Hojicha and matcha both come from the Japanese green tea plant. Matcha is shade-grown green tea stone-ground into a vivid green powder with a fresh, umami taste and more caffeine. Hojicha is green tea roasted over high heat, which turns it reddish-brown and gives it a toasty, nutty, mellow taste with generally less caffeine.
Hojicha vs matcha at a glance
| Matcha | Hojicha | |
|---|---|---|
| How it’s made | Shade-grown leaves, steamed, dried and stone-ground | Green tea leaves roasted at high temperature |
| Colour | Vivid green | Reddish brown |
| Taste | Fresh, grassy, umami, naturally sweet | Toasty, nutty, caramel-like, mellow |
| Bitterness | Low in good ceremonial grade | Very low |
| Caffeine | Higher, roughly 60–70 mg per 2 g serving | Generally lower, because roasting reduces caffeine |
| Best time | Morning or early afternoon | Afternoon or evening |
| Best as | Traditional tea, hot or iced latte | Latte, especially hot |
What is matcha?
Matcha is made from tea plants shaded for several weeks before harvest, which raises L-theanine and chlorophyll. The leaves are steamed, dried and slowly stone-ground into a fine powder. Because you whisk and drink the whole leaf, matcha has a full, vibrant taste and gives calm, focused energy. Read more about L-theanine.
What is hojicha?
Hojicha (also spelled houjicha) is Japanese green tea that has been roasted at high temperature. Roasting changes the colour from green to brown, removes most of the grassy notes and gives a warm, toasty aroma. Hojicha powder lets you make it like matcha, with no steeping or straining.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose matcha if you want a morning energy boost, love bright green tea flavour, or want a coffee alternative.
- Choose hojicha if you’re sensitive to caffeine, want an evening drink, or prefer cosy, nutty flavours like coffee or chai.
- Have both: many people drink matcha in the morning and a hojicha latte after dinner.
How to make each
Matcha latte
Whisk 2 g matcha with 30 ml water at 75–80°C until smooth, then pour into 180 ml hot or iced milk.
Hojicha latte
Mix 1–2 teaspoons of hojicha powder with a little hot water to dissolve, then add 180 ml warm frothed milk. Sweeten lightly with honey or jaggery syrup if you like. Hojicha can take hotter water than matcha.
FAQs
Does hojicha have caffeine?
Yes, but generally less than matcha because roasting reduces caffeine. It’s a popular evening tea in Japan.
Is hojicha healthier than matcha?
They’re different rather than better. Matcha has more L-theanine and chlorophyll because it is shade-grown and unroasted. Hojicha is gentler and lower in caffeine.
Can I use hojicha for baking?
Yes. Hojicha powder adds a toasty, caramel note to cookies, cakes and ice cream.
Where can I buy hojicha and matcha in India?
Nokū sells ceremonial matcha and Japanese hojicha powder online with delivery across India.