How much caffeine does Hojicha have?
- 3 min reading time
Compared to coffee or even matcha, hojicha contains far less caffeine than either. While the exact amount of caffeine is hard to determine (due to subtle differences in tea strains, preparation methods, etc.), a cup of coffee contains the most caffeine while a mug of matcha is about half that of coffee. The amount contained in hojicha is far less than matcha.
What's Hojicha?
Hojicha is made from roasted green tea leaves. Once the leaves are harvested, steamed and dried, they are then roasted. Hojicha can be brewed and enjoyed as a whole leaf tea or further processed and turned into powder as well. The roasting process breaks down the caffeine while giving hojicha is unique smoky flavor. Because the caffeine content is so low, hojicha is served as an after-dinner beverage in Japan. It also is said to promote digestion and relaxation.
Ways to Consume it
Hojicha is often drank hot but in the summer, iced hojicha is a refreshing choice. It also can be made into a sweetened latte or evened blended into a vanilla hojicha milkshake. However you choose to drink hojicha, it is sure to help you feel fresh and invigorated without the caffeine jitters.
Ground vs. Whole Leaf
When shopping for hojicha, you might stumble upon two different types: whole leaf, or powder, like the selection we carry. With whole leaf hojicha, you steep the leaves and throw them away when you are done brewing. With hojicha powder, all you need to do is whisk or stir the powder into cold or warm water and that's it! When consuming the whole leaf powder, you get more nutrients than just drinking the steeped tea leaves. Both options are still low in caffeine, and have a gentle, nutty roasted taste that hojicha is known for.