Hot Hojicha Latte (Printable version)

A cozy Japanese beverage blending roasted green tea with creamy steamed milk and optional sweetness.

# Needed ingredients:

→ Tea

01 - 2 teaspoons hojicha powder (roasted green tea)
02 - 1/2 cup hot water, 175°F

→ Milk

03 - 1 1/2 cups milk, dairy or plant-based

→ Sweetener

04 - 1 to 2 teaspoons honey, maple syrup, or sugar, optional

# How to make it:

01 - Sift hojicha powder through a fine mesh sieve into a small bowl to remove lumps.
02 - Pour hot water into the sifted hojicha powder and whisk vigorously using a bamboo whisk or standard whisk until fully dissolved and frothy.
03 - In a small saucepan, heat milk over medium heat until steaming. Froth the milk using a milk frother or whisk until creamy and aerated.
04 - Pour the dissolved hojicha mixture into two mugs and add sweetener if desired, stirring to combine.
05 - Gently pour steamed milk over the tea base while holding back foam with a spoon, then top with reserved foam.
06 - Serve immediately, optionally garnished with a light sprinkle of hojicha powder on top.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in 10 minutes, making it perfect for those mornings when you need comfort fast.
  • The ritual of whisking the powder feels meditative, like you're slowing down on purpose.
  • It's naturally caffeine-light compared to coffee, so you can enjoy it without the jitters.
02 -
  • The temperature of your water matters more than you'd think—too hot and the powder turns bitter, too cool and it won't fully dissolve no matter how much you whisk.
  • Whisking by hand instead of just stirring makes a shocking difference in the final texture, giving you that velvety mouthfeel that makes this feel luxurious.
03 -
  • Sifting isn't optional—lumpy hojicha powder will never fully dissolve, no matter how long you whisk, leaving a gritty disappointment at the bottom of your cup.
  • Keep your milk at a gentle steam rather than a rolling boil, because scorched milk tastes distinctly wrong and will overshadow the delicate hojicha flavor.
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