Who this is for: For the hojicha drinker who wants a very smooth drink and maybe isn’t looking for all the umami or nuance.
Midori Spring Hoji Powder
Origin: Shizuoka, Tenryu in Haruno region
Form: Powder
What we love: Midori Spring’s powder is a great place to start if you’re hojicha-curious. It’s quite mild, with a lightly nutty, roasted flavor that’s easy to get behind. The powder is smooth, able to blend well into water or milk, and has none of the bitter or astringent flavors present in some other more complex hojichas we’ve tried. Its price point also makes it a great beginner pick: At $26 for a 100-gram tin, the cheapest powdered option on this list. —Alaina Chou, commerce writer
Who is this for: People looking to start making hojicha at home for the first time.
Kettl Fuuka Hojicha Powder
Origin: Ogura, Uji
Form: Powder
What we love: This hojicha blooms in balance: it’s got a very gentle and fragrant grassiness (unexpected given its otherwise toasty profile) that plays beautifully with its nutty and subtly sweet undertones. The overall mouthfeel is velvety smooth, with none of the grittiness I’ve detected in other powdered hojicha over the years. It has the right amount of distinctiveness I look for when selecting tea powders to pair with milk, making it an ideal hojicha for drinking as a latte. —Ingu Chen, art director
Who this is for: Ultimately, someone who wants a really exceptional hojicha and isn’t deterred by the higher price tag. Also, someone who appreciates the grassy and well-balanced bitterness of a matcha but is in the mood for a roastier flavor (who could blame you, with the temperatures this winter!).
Rocky’s Houjicha Powder
Origin: Uji
Form: Powder
What we love: Rocky’s is the matcha I drink at home almost every day, so it’s no surprise that their hojicha is great too. Like the matcha, it comes in a beautiful tin worth leaving out on your counter and is available in a 100g tin if you’re a daily drinker. —K.K.
Who this is for: For the design-lover in your life who likes their pantry items to double as decor.
Jugetsudo Organic Loose Leaf Hojicha
Jugetsudo
Organic Loose Leaf Hojicha
Origin: Tsukiji, Tokyo
Form: Loose leaf
What we love: Straight out of the tin, this hojicha hits you with a slightly balsamic aroma that reminds me of star anise. The fragrance translates to the taste as well: Though mellow and nutty overall (with no detectable bitterness), I picked up on both fruity and savory notes. It’s very unique. Plus, it’s got a cute, tall tin! —I.C.
Who this is for: Someone who’s a fan of black tea and/or coffee, but is looking for a brew that will help unwind rather than keep wired. Someone who wants a very distinctive roast.
Ippodo Loose Leaf Hojicha
Origin: Kyoto Prefecture
Form: Loose leaf
What we love: Put simply, Ippodo’s hojicha is a joy to drink. It’s beautifully fragrant, with a toasty-but-clean flavor profile, a natural mellow sweetness, and notes of burnt caramel that reminded me of a roasted sweet potato. It’s a great all-arounder, sure to convert anyone who’s hojicha-curious into a full-on stan. —A.C.
Who is this for: People looking for a mellow, easy-to-love tea that’s suitable for all times of day.
