A Japanese roasted green tea made from the stems of the tea plant.

The roasting process allows toasty, caramelised flavours to develop and reduces the caffeine and tannin content, making the tea low in bitterness and astringency. A sweet, light and comforting brew with notes of honey and burnt sugar.

Hojicha originated in Kyoto in the 1920s, when a tea merchant had excess green tea leaves that he did not want to go to waste. Hojicha is often enjoyed with food or as a welcome drink in Japan, and is delicious cold brewed in the summer.

Brew: Measure 4g (1 teaspoon) per 200ml cup. Infuse at 90°C for 30 seconds.