Hojicha Powder
The new hot chocolate…
Hojicha tea has become one of my favorite evening teas… now don’t get me wrong, I’m not abandoning my obsession with Puer teas, but simply enjoy trying other types of teas. Call it keeping an open mind…
If you have never heard of it, generally speaking it is green tea that’s leaves, stem twigs and/or a combination of both have been roasted. This produces a warm, toasty, woodsy and almost chocolate flavor… an aroma that soothes your senses and tantalizes your taste…
At the end, I’ll share a drink I make from a powder that is being produced from this tea and a couple of vendors I’ve found, whose Hojicha tea and powder I have enjoyed the quality and flavor of their offerings.
History
Hojicha is a fairly new creation in tea history. A tea merchant in Kyoto, Japan early in the 20th century found by taking the older leaves and stems of the tea plant and roasted them he could create a delicious green tea that was liked by people all around the city.
As I sat writing this sipping on a warm cup of Hojicha I couldn’t help but muse if it went more something like… the merchant, setting by his stove on a crisp fall evening after a long day, prepared to roast a sweet potato. Tossing a handful of tea leaves in a bowl to brew before he ate, he leaned back thinking of the day and mesmerized by the fire failed to notice the breeze that blew the majority of his leaves into the pan… upon waking and realizing the leaves were now roasted, not wanting to waste them, with a shrug, brewed them anyway and to his surprise was amazing… thus “his invention”…
“I believe that sometimes in life, our mistakes and failures become our greatest successes…”
Back to the good stuff… From what I understand, in Japan today and I’m guessing even a hundred years ago, Hojicha is popular in the colder months and you can find it being roasted at the street market vendors in Kyoto.
Back to the future
Although I enjoy exploring and tasting any tea, and experiencing the different flavors, I enjoy most the earthier, roasted, woodsy, fig, and oak type flavors, and usually find myself headed back to the “dark side” of tea…
That being said, a couple years ago I was looking for a tea with an earthy, roasted flavor and that was lower in caffeine to drink in the evenings… in my searching, I stumbled across Hojicha at a local tea shop, Gong Fu Tea. Let’s just say the rest is history as far as I was concerned.
About a year ago, it was winter, I was out, and didn’t have time to make the drive, so in searching online, found Nio Teas, a purveyor of fine high quality organic green teas. In searching their site for the Hojicha, I found in addition a Hojicha Powder… curious, I discovered you can use it in food creations and prepare like matcha or any other drink creation you might come up with…
My new evening companion
This has become my new evening drink, as I either write or chill with a good book. On cooler evenings I’ll sip on one outside, while I set by my fire pit and either listen to nature or an occasional ballgame on the radio…
It’s low in caffeine, boasts the flavor I enjoy, and is just downright good… okay addictive… but there is more…
Health Benefits
Just because it’s roasted, doesn’t mean it’s void of all of green teas rich list of health benefits. Although naturally some of the compounds do decrease, Hojicha still offers antioxidant support, it just occurs in a softer and smoother way than unroasted green tea.
Antioxidants
Like I mentioned above, although reduced some, hojicha still offers antioxidant support, around fifty percent after digestion research has shown.Calming, Mental Focus and Reduction in Fatigue
Hojicha has been shown in clinical studies to improve and maintain mental focus, prevent and manage mental fatigue, and create a sense of calm in managing stress… It is believed that the calming effect is due to a combination of its low caffeine content and the constant aroma it gives off…Supports a Happy and Healthy Heart
Enjoy keeping your heart humming like it should…. Hojicha has natural compounds that keep your pipes(circulatory system) open and the blood flowing…The catechins found in it keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels right where they should be, therefore cutting down on the risk of heart trouble, stroke, and clogged arteries… As if that wasn’t enough, Hojicha contains vitamin E, that keep your keep your pipes clean, helping prevent blood clots.Metabolism and Digestion
Move over Ozempic… not only do the catechins help keep your heart healthy, they also help stimulate metabolism, reminding your body to burn calories efficiently thus helping it naturally reduce fat. And that’s not all… Hojicha is also loaded with beneficial fibers, which helps your body digest efficiently, keep a healthy colon digestion by reducing fat absorption. No wonder this tantalizing tea is so amazing after meals…Alleviate and Prevent Swelling Pain from Arthritis
Hojicha contains polyphenols, not only do they assist in protecting against gum inflammation, but also are beneficial in alleviating arthritis, getting you back up and walking in no time.
Ways to Use
The number of things that you can create with this roasted tea powder are endless. It can be used mostly the same way as Matcha powder.
Drinks- It can be used in pretty much any hot or cold creations you can think of, milkshakes, lattes, smoothies, bubble tea, hot chocolate or in the whipped cream you place on top.
Baking- Macaroons, brownies, bread pudding, pudding, pancake batter, cobbler or cookie dough. You can even add it to your oatmeal.
Desserts-In this category you can go wild. Ice cream, gelato, cream, mochi, If you can dream it up ice cream, cream, macaroons, mochi,
Double Shot Hojicha…The Recipe
For myself, I’m not the creative type when it comes to baking and desserts, but I do like to experiment with different drink creations… good or not, that I’m not sure, as I’m the only one tasting…
Most nights I enjoy just brewing a regular cup of Hojicha tea, but on Friday nights or if it’s been a particularly long day, I will make my “Double Shot Hojicha ”… and it never disappoints…
Ingredients
1-2 tsps of Hojicha Powder
3oz of heavy cream
2oz of hot water (200 degrees or just after it’s starts boiling)
Cinnamon (optional)
Honey (optional)
Instructions
Put 1-2 tsps of Hojicha Powder in a 6-8oz mug.(I do 2 as I like it thicker)
Pour 2oz of heavy cream in the mug, and use a whisk or frother to mix together
Heat water to 200 degrees (just as it starts to bubble)
While the water is heating, use a frother or whisk and spin 1oz of heavy cream until it’s thick and set aside.
Pour 2oz of the hot water into the mug, and whisk or frother all together really well. (If you have a hand frother, that works best).
Take the 1oz of heavy cream you whipped earlier, and dump it on top.
Drizzle a little honey and cinnamon on top if you want and enjoy.
Conclusion
As I close this one up, I’m sipping on another cup of Hojicha… it sincerely is my favorite for the evenings… low on caffeine, calming, and no feeling like you’re drinking the alfalfa you just mowed earlier today… it’s scent and tasty earthy profile is amazing…
Until next time my friends,
Raj