Hojicha Pyramid Tea Bags

Hojicha is a roasted green tea developed in Kyoto, Japan, in the 1920s. It's made primarily from Bancha leaves through a careful process of steaming, drying, and roasting. Hojicha's unique production provides the tea with a distinctive flavour profile, offering notes of toasted cinnamon and a lower caffeine level than other green teas. In addition, it provides several health benefits. It can be enjoyed anytime, particularly after meals or in the evening for relaxation.

What is Hojicha?

Hojicha is Japanese green tea characterized by its reddish-brown colour and smoky, slightly sweet flavour. It differs from other green teas in that it's roasted after the typical steaming and drying process. This roasting process was developed in the 1920s in Kyoto, Japan, as a way to make use of the remaining less tender leaves, like Bancha, which is often used for Hojicha. The roasting reduces the tea's bitterness and caffeine content, making it a mild tea suitable for any time of day.

How is Hojicha Made?

The process of making Hojicha begins with the usual Japanese green tea production steps:

• Steaming: Freshly plucked green tea leaves are steamed shortly after harvesting to halt oxidation, which preserves the green colour and the tea's natural flavours.
• Drying: The steamed leaves are then dried to remove moisture.
• Roasting: Finally, the dried leaves are roasted over charcoal or in a rotating drum at temperatures around 200 degrees Celsius (approximately 392 degrees Fahrenheit). This roasting creates the unique flavour profile of Hojicha, with its smoky, caramel-like taste, and the lower temperature roast ensures that the leaves maintain their inherent sweetness.

What are the health benefits of Hojicha?

Hojicha is rich in antioxidants that are associated with many health benefits. However, they may be slightly reduced due to the roasting process. People who are sensitive to caffeine or want to drink tea later in the day without disrupting their sleep frequently prefer Hojicha because it has less caffeine than other green teas. Furthermore, Hojicha can help improve oral health, promote relaxation, and be a good source of catechins, which may benefit heart health.

When is the best time to drink Hojicha?

Hojicha has a low caffeine content, so it is suitable for daily drinking. Due to its palate-cleansing properties and reports that it can aid digestion, it's commonly enjoyed after meals in Japan. The soothing effect of Hojicha also makes it ideal for evening consumption or before bedtime.