Hojicha vs Matcha: Taste & Latte Differences

Hojicha vs matcha: what is the difference?

The biggest difference between hojicha and matcha is how they are made.

Matcha is produced by finely grinding specially shade-grown tencha green tea leaves into a vivid green powder. Because you consume the powder itself, its flavour is concentrated and unmistakably green.

Hojicha is defined by roasting. Green tea leaves, and sometimes stem, are heated until they develop a warm brown colour and deep, toasted aroma. Hojicha can be sold as loose leaves for brewing or ground into powder for lattes.

One is green, grassy and rich in umami. The other is brown, roasted and mellow.

They come from the same world of Japanese tea, but they occupy very different places in the cup.

Hojicha and matcha at a glance

These are broad descriptions. Variety, quality, dose and preparation can all change how a tea tastes.

What does hojicha taste like compared with matcha?

Matcha tastes fresh, green and savoury. Depending on its quality and preparation, it can range from smooth and creamy to grassy, slightly bitter or intensely vegetal.

Hojicha moves in the opposite direction. Roasting replaces much of that fresh green character with warmer notes of toasted nuts, wood, cocoa and caramel.

OFF HOURS hojicha has tasting notes of:

• Toasted hazelnut

• Cocoa

• Caramel

Those notes come naturally from the tea and its roast. There are no added flavours.

If matcha reminds you of green fields and bright mornings, hojicha belongs somewhere warmer. Low lighting. A favourite glass. Nowhere else to be.

Hojicha latte vs matcha latte

Milk softens both teas, but it does not erase what makes them different.

A matcha latte keeps its recognisably green, vegetal character. Milk makes it creamier and can soften its more bitter or savoury edges.

A hojicha latte brings roasted flavours into a smooth, full-bodied drink. With milk, its nutty and caramel-like notes become even more pronounced.

Sweeteners and syrups can change either drink considerably. When trying a new tea, make your first latte simply: tea, water and milk, with only a little sweetness if needed. Get to know the flavour before dressing it up.

Which is better for coffee drinkers?

If the roasted flavour and sense of ritual are what you enjoy about coffee, hojicha is likely to feel more familiar.

It has the toastiness and depth needed to make a satisfying milk-based drink, but it still tastes distinctly like tea. It is not pretending to be espresso, and that is rather the point.

Matcha may suit you better if you want a more dramatic departure from coffee. Its fresh, vegetal flavour and vivid colour create a completely different kind of café drink.

Neither tea needs to replace the other. Matcha can keep its place. Hojicha simply opens up a different hour of the day.

Does hojicha or matcha have more caffeine?

Both hojicha and matcha contain caffeine, but you cannot reliably compare them by name alone.

The amount in your cup depends on the individual tea, the quantity of powder used and the serving instructions. Café recipes also vary, so two lattes of the same size may contain different amounts of tea - and therefore different amounts of caffeine.

A 2g serving of OFF HOURS hojicha powder contains approximately 16–24mg of caffeine.

When comparing products, look for a caffeine figure connected to a specific weight of tea. Grams are more useful than teaspoons because spoon sizes and serving styles differ.

The amount of milk or ice changes the size of the drink, but it does not change how much caffeine was in the tea added to it.

Hojicha or matcha: which should you choose?

Choose matcha if you enjoy:

• Fresh, vegetal flavours

• A pronounced umami character

• A vibrant green latte that feels bright and distinctive

• A smooth caffeiene hit

Choose hojicha if you enjoy:

• Toasted, nutty flavours

• Cocoa and caramel-like notes

• A smooth, roasted latte

• A proper café drink without another caffeine hit

The best choice is the one you want to make again.

And there is no rule saying you must pick a side. Matcha before plans. Hojicha after them.

Can you drink hojicha and matcha hot or iced?

Yes. Both teas can be whisked into hot or iced lattes.

Temperature changes the experience rather than the identity of the tea. A hot hojicha latte feels warm and deeply roasted, while an iced version brings out its smoother, lighter side.

Start with our Classic Hojicha Latte for a simple hot drink, or make an Iced Maple Hojicha Latte with cold milk, maple syrup and plenty of ice.

Hot. Iced. Phone face down.

If roasted, creamy and a little different sounds like your next cup, meet OFF HOURS hojicha.