Finally, a vendor that has Hojicha Powder! I’ve tried Hojicha “matcha” a few times at tea industry conventions and enjoyed it. When I heard that 3 Leaf released two Hojicha Matchas – Hojicha and Banana Hojicha Powder, and I immediately purchased so I can my roast on.
The instructions on making Hojicha powder is vague, even with a quick google. Overall, it seems a serving is 1 teaspoon and you add “hot” water to taste, around 8oz/ 235ml/1 cup.
Hojicha Powder from 3 Leaf
1 tsp clocked in at 2.3 grams (call it 2 grams). I added a little bit of 175F/ 79c water to whisk, then topped with more hot water to my tastes. The initial whisk helps combine and smooth out the powder.
3Leaf’s Hojicha Powder sips in toasty roasty, woody, and mostly nutty. The aftertaste is squeaky roasted nuts that go sweet and touch dry from all that roast. Hojicha Matcha is dark and rich tasting, perfect for those who love roasted teas. It is easy enough to use less water to make it stronger roast, or light and refreshing with more water.
Iced, the Hojicha matcha still retains the roasty flavors of the hot version but comes with a longer sweetness. I personally prefer this iced and have been enjoying most of the Hojicha this way.
Banana Hojicha Powder from 3 Leaf
I’ve drunk this Banana Hojicha a couple of times to get a handle on it. I found it was best with milk – it is not good with just water.
Unsweetened with milk, this tastes like a banana that got roasted just before charred. To make this tea go to the next level, it needs sweetener. With a splash of agave, it is a delicious banana and roasted nut milk. I personally cannot stand artificial banana anything (as a kid my medicine was banana flavored) but I found 3 Leaf’s Banana Hojicha delicious.
Cons of both teas and I’m not experienced to know if it is this tea or all powdered Hojichas, is no matter how much I whisk, I get settled paste at the bottom of the bowl. I got in the habit of stirred my iced Hojichas before sipping to counter the settling.
I have also observed my Hojicha powders degrade from just sitting on my counter similar to but not as quickly as matcha expires. You may want to either drink it ASAP or store it in a fridge.
3 Leaf mentioned more flavors are coming. I’d love to see a spiced/chai Hojicha. Make it so.
