This easy Maple Hojicha Latte recipe blends roasted Japanese green tea powder with milk and pure maple syrup. The result is a smooth, nutty and lightly sweetened tea latte that can be enjoyed hot or iced.
Hojicha Latte with Maple Syrup
Making a hojicha latte with maple syrup is one of my favourite ways to enjoy the roasted green tea. This is because pure maple syrup enhances the warm and toasty notes from hojicha. It is also a great bonus that pure maple syrup is a more natural, less processed sweetener.
Together, hojicha and maple syrup create a well-balanced, lightly sweetened latte. Whether you enjoy it hot or iced, this recipe is an easy one to make at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Quick and easy to make with minimal ingredients.
- Roasted coffee-like flavours that can satisfy any coffee cravings.
- Make it hot or iced as there are instructions for both methods.
- Very low in caffeine so it is a great afternoon or evening latte!
What is Hojicha Powder?
Hojicha is a Japanese green tea. Unlike other green teas, hojicha is actually roasted at high temperatures. This gives it a toasty, earthy and caramelized flavour. This also makes it very low in caffeine.
Hojicha Powder is made by taking those roasted green tea leaves and finely grinding them, similar to matcha. Hojicha powder makes it quick and easy to mix into drinks—no steeping required!
Ingredient Notes
- Hojicha Powder: For the smoothest texture and richest flavour, this latte uses hojicha powder instead of loose-leaf hojicha. Find the best hojicha powder recommendations here.
- Hot Water: This roasted green tea powder should be prepared with hot water that is under boiling.
- Maple Syrup: Please make sure you are using 100% pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup! It makes a big difference.
- Milk: Any type of milk or milk alternative.
- Ice Cubes & Whipped Cream: These are only needed for the iced version.
Maple Hojicha Latte Recipe
This maple hojicha latte recipe can be made hot or iced. Find instructions for both methods below as well as the printable recipe card with full measurements.
To Make a Hot Maple Hojicha Latte:
Whisk the hojicha powder – In a mug, sift hojicha powder to remove clumps. Add hot water and whisk together until smooth.
Flavour and sweeten – Pour pure maple syrup into the mug and stir until well combined.
Froth milk – Heat and froth milk until it has almost doubled in volume. Use a handheld frother or an electric frother.
Assemble – Top the mug with the milk froth. Drizzle with more maple syrup and sift hojicha powder on top to garnish, if desired.
To Make an Iced Maple Hojicha Latte:
Whisk the hojicha powder – In a bowl or mug, sift hojicha powder and whisk with hot water until smooth.
Flavour and sweeten – Add pure maple syrup and stir together.
Assemble – In a glass filled with ice, pour 1/2 cup milk then the maple hojicha mixture. Top the glass with whipped cream, dust hojicha powder and drizzle with more maple syrup, if desired. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Use high-quality hojicha powder for the best flavour and texture.
- For a Maple Hojicha Oat Latte, use oat milk!
- Use a blender or electric frother to mix the hojicha powder if you do not have a bamboo whisk.
- Add green tea salt for a Salted Maple Hojicha Latte.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hojicha taste like?
Toasty, nutty and caramel-like are great ways to describe the taste of Hojicha. Since it is a roasted green tea, it is not grassy or bitter like other green teas.
Does Hojicha contain caffeine?
Yes, hojicha is a caffeinated tea however, it has very little amounts of caffeine compared to other green teas so it is often enjoyed later in the day.
What is the difference between Hojicha Powder and loose leaf Hojicha?
Similar to matcha, hojicha powder is finely ground and needs to be whisked or shaken with water to prepare. Loose leaf hojicha needs to be steeped in hot water like other loose leaf teas. The powder is more rich which makes it especially great for lattes and baking.
Can I use matcha instead of Hojicha Powder?
Follow my Maple Matcha Latte recipe if you would like to use matcha instead.
Maple Hojicha Latte
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon hojicha powder
- ¼ cup hot water under boiling
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup 100% pure
- ¼ cup milk
- ice cubes & whipped cream for iced version only
Instructions
To Make a Hot Maple Hojicha Latte:
- In a mug, sift hojicha powder to remove clumps. Add hot water and whisk together until smooth.
- Pour pure maple syrup into the mug and stir until well combined.
- Heat and froth milk until it has almost doubled in volume. Top the mug with the milk froth. Drizzle with more maple syrup and sift hojicha powder on top to garnish, if desired.
To Make an Iced Maple Hojicha Latte:
- In a bowl or mug, sift hojicha powder and whisk with hot water until smooth. Add pure maple syrup and stir together.
- In a glass filled with ice, pour 1/2 cup milk then the maple hojicha mixture.
- Top the glass with whipped cream, dust hojicha powder and drizzle with more maple syrup, if desired. Enjoy!