While many teas are good for your health, hojicha's benefits are especially interesting. If you're a tea lover who enjoys exploring different tea varieties and flavors while also seeking potential health benefits, you might want to consider hojicha, a roasted green tea from Japan that offers a unique and delightful drinking experience.
But, before you add hojicha to your tea pantry, what is it, and why are hojicha's health benefits worth the try?
What is Hojicha?
Hojicha is a type of Japanese tea made from roasted green tea leaves. Unlike other green teas, hojicha has a distinctive reddish-brown color and a unique smoky, earthy flavor. The roasting process, which originated in Kyoto, Japan, in the 1920s, involves heating the tea leaves at high temperatures, which causes them to oxidize and develop their characteristic flavor and color.
The tea leaves used to make hojicha are typically harvested in the summer or fall and are usually of the bancha or sencha variety. Bancha is a type of green tea that is harvested later in the season than sencha and is known for its milder flavor. Sencha, on the other hand, is a higher-quality green tea that is harvested earlier in the season and is known for its rich flavor and aroma.
Due to the flavor and aroma, Hojicha is often served as a comforting and soothing tea in Japan. It's also known to have great health benefits, including antioxidant properties and a calming effect on the body and mind. And, who doesn't need more of that in their lives?
How is Hojicha Made?
After the tea leaves are harvested, they are steamed to stop the oxidation process, then dried and rolled. Next, the leaves are roasted in a porcelain pot or a cast-iron pan over high heat. The roasting process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the desired flavor and color of the tea.
Does Hojicha Have Caffeine?
We all know those people choose tea because it has less caffeine than coffee, but still enough to help you get your day started. If you're wondering if hojicha has caffeine, the answer is "yes"— about 7-8 mg of it in a standard cup of tea.
One of the fascinating aspects of hojicha is the difference in flavor and caffeine content when compared to other green teas. Hojicha has a milder flavor profile, making it a great option for those who prefer a more subtle taste. The roasting process also reduces the caffeine content in the tea, which is a great option for individuals who are sensitive to caffeine or prefer to limit their intake.
Hojicha Health Benefits
Aside from its taste, the benefits of hojicha alone are worth adding to your tea routine (at least in moderation!). Depending on what you're looking for, a cup of hojicha a day may be all you need to experience some healthy results.
Antioxidants: A Boost for Your Body
One of the most significant health benefits of hojicha is its high level of antioxidants, which can help protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals. Antioxidants are essential for maintaining a healthy body and preventing various diseases.
Heart Health: A Supportive Companion
Hojicha has been shown to support heart health by helping to lower bad cholesterol levels, which is essential for maintaining a healthy heart. The green tea catechin found in hojicha could significantly reduce LDL cholesterol, which is a significant contributor to heart disease. And, heart disease is the leading cause of death in adults in the United States.
Weight Management and Digestion: A Helping Hand
Hojicha is associated with weight management and fat burning. Those geen tea catechins — particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) — could increase metabolism and fat oxidation, potentially aiding in weight loss efforts. Hojicha's lower caffeine content is also beneficial for those who want to limit their caffeine intake while pursuing weight loss goals.
Hojicha has also been known to aid in digestion and soothe the stomach. This is because it contains tannins, which are compounds that help to neutralize acid in the stomach and promote healthy digestion.
Relaxation and Mental Well-being: A Calming Friend
Hojicha contains L-theanine, an amino acid known for its calming effects on the brain. L-theanine can help reduce stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation without causing drowsiness. Drinking hojicha can be an excellent way to wind down after a long day or to start the day with a relaxed and focused mind.
Where to Buy Hojicha
As hojicha gains popularity, it is becoming more widely available both in local specialty tea shops and online retailers. When purchasing hojicha, look for reputable suppliers that source their teas from Japan to ensure authenticity and quality. Some retailers even offer hojicha that has been directly sourced from small Japanese tea farms, providing an even more authentic and unique experience.
The cost of hojicha can vary depending on the quality of the tea and where you purchase it. Generally, hojicha is more expensive than regular green tea due to the roasting process and the amount of labor required to produce it.
However, you can still find hojicha at a reasonable price at specialty tea shops and online. On average, a 100-gram package of hojicha can cost between $10 to $20, but higher-end varieties can be more expensive. It's always a good idea to research and compare prices before making a purchase, as well as the source of the tea.
Considerations When Drinking Hojicha
While hojicha offers numerous health benefits, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to green tea. Symptoms may include itching, hives, and swelling. It's essential to consult your doctor if you suspect an allergy.
Although hojicha is lower in caffeine than other green teas, pregnant women should consume it in moderation. High caffeine intake during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and low birth weight.
Additionally, individuals who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux may want to limit their hojicha intake as the tea can aggravate symptoms due to its acidic nature.
How to Prepare Hojicha
To get the most hojicha tea benefits, here are some preparation tips:
Use high-quality water: The quality of the water can affect the taste and health benefits of your hojicha. Use filtered or bottled water for the best results.
Use the right temperature: Hojicha is a roasted green tea, which means it can withstand higher temperatures than regular green tea. Boiling water or water heated to 90°C (194°F) is ideal.
Steep for the right amount of time: Steep your hojicha for 1 to 2 minutes to avoid over-extraction, which can lead to a bitter taste.
Use the right amount of tea: A good rule of thumb is to use 1 to 2 teaspoons of hojicha per 8-ounce cup of water. Adjust the amount based on your taste preference.
Avoid adding milk or sweeteners: Hojicha has a unique and delicate flavor that can be easily overpowered by milk or sweeteners.
Hojicha Tea Benefits: How Often Can I Drink It?
Any tea should be consumed in moderation, but the important is getting consistent with drinking it to seek out hojicha's benefits. To do this, aim to drink one to two cups of hojicha per day. Of course, if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns, it's always best to consult with your doctor before adding hojicha or any other supplement to your diet.
Should I Add Hojicha to My Tea Collection?
Hojicha's tea benefits — from featuring a high level of antioxidants to heart health benefits, digestive elements, and calming effects — make it a great addition to any tea collection, and can serve individuals looking to manage some aspect of their physical health or mental wellbeing.
Plus, the lower caffeine content and milder flavor profile make it an ideal option for those who are sensitive to caffeine or prefer a more subtle taste when drinking tea.
So, why not give hojicha a try? Let us know how it goes!