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StepUp Coffee
Charcoal Roasted Hojicha Tea
$18.00
Ships from USA
Description
Hojicha tea is a charcoal-roasted Japanese green tea with a smooth, low-astringency profile and about 20 to 30mg of caffeine per cup. Sourced from Shizuoka, Japan, this 30g tin yields about 30 servings and includes a bamboo scoop and fine-mesh infuser for consistent brewing at 175°F for 1 to 2 minutes.
StepUp Hojicha Tea brings toasted, nutty flavor with caramelized notes and a gentle earthy sweetness. Unlike many green teas, the roasting process lowers bitterness and creates a softer finish that works well for evenings, light mornings, or anyone who wants a calmer cup with less caffeine.
- Charcoal-roasted green tea leaves for a warm, smoky-sweet profile
- About 20 to 30mg caffeine per cup, lower than many standard green teas
- 30g recyclable tin yields about 30 servings
- Includes bamboo scoop and fine-mesh infuser for easy prep
- Ethically sourced from small Japanese farms with no additives
Enjoy it hot for a cozy daily tea, serve it iced on warmer days, or add oat milk for a simple hojicha latte. Compared to bubble tea style drinks, this is a lighter, less sweet option with clean ingredients and a more traditional tea character. It is a good fit for tea newcomers, specialty tea fans, and anyone building a calm afternoon or evening routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hojicha tea good for?
Hojicha tea is best for people who want a smooth, low-caffeine tea that feels comforting and easy to drink. Because the leaves are roasted, hojicha has less bitterness and less astringency than many green teas, so it is a good option for evening cups, gentle mornings, or anyone who finds standard green tea too grassy or sharp.
StepUp Coffee Hojicha Tea is made from hand-picked green tea leaves from Shizuoka, Japan that are gently charcoal roasted. That roasting creates warm, toasty flavor with nutty, caramelized notes and a soft earthy sweetness. It also naturally lowers the caffeine level to about 20 to 30 mg per cup, which makes it more suitable for calm focus than for a strong energy boost.
Hojicha may also appeal to shoppers looking for a tea with antioxidants such as catechins. It is a practical choice for tea newcomers, people reducing caffeine, and anyone who wants a tea that works well hot, iced, or as a latte. The tradeoff is that it will not give the bright grassy intensity or higher caffeine some drinkers want from matcha or other green teas.
What does hojicha tea taste like?
Hojicha tea tastes warm, roasted, and mellow. Most people notice toasty, nutty, and lightly caramelized flavors first, followed by a gentle earthy sweetness. Compared with many green teas, it is much less grassy and has very little sharpness, which is why it often feels smooth and approachable.
StepUp Coffee Hojicha Tea is charcoal roasted, which helps create its rich amber color and smoky-sweet aroma. The result is a tea that feels cozy rather than brisk. It can remind some drinkers of roasted nuts, light cocoa, or soft toasted grain, depending on how it is brewed. Because it is naturally low in astringency, it tends to stay rounded and comforting instead of drying on the palate.
This flavor profile is especially good for people who do not enjoy bitter green tea, for coffee drinkers trying tea, or for anyone looking for a relaxing cup in the afternoon or evening. If you prefer bright, vegetal, or highly floral teas, hojicha may feel too roasted for your taste. It is better suited to drinkers who want depth and warmth rather than freshness and bite.
Is hojicha better for you than matcha?
Hojicha is not automatically better for you than matcha. They serve different needs. Hojicha is usually the better choice if you want lower caffeine, a gentler flavor, and a tea that is easier to drink later in the day. Matcha is often the better choice if you want a stronger caffeine lift and a more concentrated green tea experience.
StepUp Coffee Hojicha Tea contains about 20 to 30 mg of caffeine per cup, which is low compared with many green teas and typically much lower than matcha. It also contains antioxidants such as catechins, while offering a roasted profile that many people find soothing and easier on the palate. Because hojicha is roasted, it loses much of the grassy intensity that can make matcha feel bold or polarizing.
For shoppers deciding between the two, the best option depends on the goal. Choose hojicha for calm focus, evening drinking, lower bitterness, and a smooth roasted taste. Choose matcha for higher energy, a thicker texture, and a more concentrated green tea character. The tradeoff is simple: hojicha is gentler and more mellow, while matcha is more intense and energizing.
Is hojicha tea high in caffeine?
No, hojicha tea is generally considered low in caffeine. StepUp Coffee Hojicha Tea contains about 20 to 30 mg of caffeine per cup, which is lower than many traditional green teas and much lower than coffee. That makes it a popular option for people who want a lighter tea they can enjoy in the evening or when they want steady, gentle focus instead of a strong boost.
Its lower caffeine level is largely due to the roasting process. Hojicha is made from Japanese green tea leaves that are roasted over charcoal, which gives the tea its signature toasty flavor while also making it feel softer and less stimulating than brighter green teas. In practical terms, many drinkers choose hojicha when they want to reduce caffeine without giving up a flavorful hot drink.
This makes hojicha a strong fit for tea drinkers sensitive to caffeine, people replacing a second or third coffee, and anyone who wants a smoother nighttime option. The tradeoff is that it will not deliver the same alertness as coffee, matcha, or higher-caffeine green teas. If your goal is maximum energy, hojicha is probably too mild.
How do you brew hojicha tea for the best flavor?
For the best flavor, brew hojicha with slightly cooler-than-boiling water and a short steep time. StepUp Coffee recommends using 1 teaspoon of tea for 8 ounces of water at 175°F for 1 to 2 minutes. This helps preserve the tea’s delicate roasted character and keeps the cup smooth rather than overly strong.
StepUp Coffee Hojicha Tea includes a bamboo scoop and a fine-mesh infuser, which makes measuring and steeping simple and consistent. The fine-mesh infuser is especially useful for producing a clean cup with minimal leaf particles. Brewed this way, the tea brings out warm nutty, caramelized, and lightly earthy notes with low astringency.
This method is ideal for people new to loose leaf tea, since hojicha is forgiving and easy to enjoy hot or iced. You can also add oat milk for a creamier latte-style drink if you want more body. The main tradeoff is that hotter water or a longer steep can flatten the sweeter roasted notes and make the tea taste harsher. If you prefer a stronger cup, increase the tea slightly before extending the steep too much.