9 Best Japanese Hojicha in 2023 (Ito En, Kimikura, Senbird, and More)

Pros:

• Stems and leaves being roasted at high heat for a long time for a nutty, slightly sweet, and fragrant taste
• Tastes excellent both hot and cold 
• Sourced from Uji, Kyoto, Japan
• Certified organic by Japanese standards

Cons:

• Tastes too mild for some buyers

Chaganju's hojicha comes from Uji, a city in southern Kyoto famed for its tea production. It's made from the stems and leaves of sencha plants that are roasted at 392 degrees Fahrenheit using infrared rays for a toasted, rich flavor. On top of that, this tea is certified organic by the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS). 

A few buyers complain that the tea is too mild for their preferences. Nevertheless, the majority love its refreshing, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor and say it has a pleasant aroma. Many say it tastes great hot or cold, too!

Pros:

• Flavor is rich, sweet, and nutty
• Goes well with milk and sweeteners 
• Pyramid-shaped tea bags provide sufficient room for the tea leaves to expand

Cons:

• Reports that tea leaves a lot of powder in the cup

This roasted green tea from Ito En is made from roasted green tea leaves and has a sweet, nutty flavor. The tea comes in pyramid-shaped tea bags that allow plenty of room for the leaves to fully unfurl. It tastes great as it is, but you can add a bit of milk and sweetener to make a latte. 

Some reviewers mention that these tag bags leave too much sediment in the cup. On another note, the majority are happy with the taste of this hojicha, saying it's flavorful and toasty. They say it tastes great hot or cold and with or without milk. 

Pros:

• Composed of Yabukita cultivar tea stems harvested during the first and second harvests
• Comes from Kagoshima and Mie prefectures, all of which are famous for their tea production 
• Has a malty, roasty flavor with slight astringency 
• Certified organic by Japan and USDA

Cons:

• Doesn't come in an airtight bag to preserve freshness

This hojicha is made of Yabukita cultivar tea stems grown at Mie and Kagoshima prefectures. Yabukita cultivar is most common variety found in Japan. It's considered the benchmark for other tea cultivars to be evaluated against because it has a rich, umami taste with low astringency.

Overall, most buyers enjoy its rich and smoky flavor. Plus, it is certified organic by both Japan and the United States.

Pros:

• Sweet flavor with a nutty fragrance
• Reviewers say it tastes excellent with sweeteners like honey or sugar
• Foil packaging prevents the tea from environmental elements such as sunlight, moisture, and oxygen

Cons:

• According to a few reviewers, the tea isn't strong 

If you like tea on the mellow side, this hojicha from Yamamotoyama is a great choice. It's gone through a roasting process for a light, toasty flavor without any bitterness. The tea is packed in aluminium sealed tea bags to preserve freshness. 

A couple of buyers think the tea tastes too light. Yet, most are happy with the nutty aroma and the slightly sweet, smooth taste of this hojicha. They also like the foil packaging that keeps the tea fresh. Some buyers like adding sugar or honey, too! 

Pros:

• Contains first harvest tea leaves from Shizuoka prefecture
• Taste is light, soothing, and toasty with earthy notes 
• Airtight tin protects the tea from moisture and sunlight 
• Certified organic by the Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS)

Cons:

• Some say the taste is too light 

This hojicha is sourced from Shizuoka prefecture. It's made with the leaves from the first harvest and is produced in small batches for the best quality. It's also certified organic by Japanese standards and is free from preservatives and pesticides. Plus, it's packed in an airtight tin to ensure freshness. 

Some reviewers who prefer strong tea find the tea too mild for their liking and use more tea to make the taste stronger. However, many think that it tastes well-balanced, umami, toasty, and slightly sweet. Some buyers also enjoy it with milk. 

Pros:

• Sourced from Uji, Kyoto
• Comes in powder form that's great for making lattes or baking 
• Certified organic by the USDA and Japanese standards 
• Reports that it doesn't clump 

Cons:

• A few reviewers wanted a stronger hojicha flavor

This hojicha powder is sourced from Uji, Kyoto, and can be prepared like matcha. You can also use this powder to make lattes, smoothies, or baked goods. Another bonus is that the powder is certified organic by the USDA and by Japanese standards. 

Most users love the strong, flavorful, and smoky taste of this hojicha powder. They also mention that it dissolves well and is excellent for making drinks and baked goods.

Pros:

• Harvested from the second flush  
• Comes from Kyoto prefecture 
• Reports that the taste is rich and bold 
• Great for everyday use or for making desserts 

Cons:

• Bag is not resealable, so you'll have to keep it fresh in a separate container

This hojicha is made by Ippodo, a famous and long-established tea maker in Kyoto prefecture. It consists of the second flush leaves and tastes stronger with less astringency than tea made from the first flush. If you prefer a bold tea, this might be a great choice! 

Many reviewers like this tea's rich, smoky, and sweet flavor. They add that it tastes very smooth and authentic! Some love using it for their dessert recipes, too. 

Pros:

• Tea leaves were grown in Kakegawa city in Shizuoka prefecture, which is well-known for delicious tea
  
• Made from the first harvest in the spring for the highest quality
• Roasted for a long time at a high temperature for a rich, smoky taste
• Package is resealable for ease of use 

Cons:

• Not the best choice if you want a bold hojicha taste

This hojicha from Kimikura uses tea leaves harvested in the first flush of spring in Kakegawa city, Shizuoka prefecture. The leaves are deeply roasted at a high temperature for a flavorful, refreshing taste with a smoky fragrance. Plus, the resealable package helps preserve the tea's freshness. 

Many buyers say this tea is of high quality and tastes delicious. They like its toasty, nuanced flavor, with some reviewers saying it's the best they've tried. 

Pros:

• Has a strong roasted flavor 
• Roomy pyramid-shaped tea bags allow the tea to completely unfurl 
• Produced using the Chagusaba method which has been designated a UNESCO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System 
  

Cons:

• Tea bags are not individually wrapped 

This hojicha is made from green tea stems roasted for a long time for a rich flavor and a toasted fragrance. One point that sets this product apart is its production method! It's grown and processed using the Chagusaba method, which is a traditional sustainable practice that can reduce the negative environmental effects of agriculture.

A few buyers wish that the tea bags were individually wrapped for freshness and easy handling. However, most buyers like the strong roasted aroma and flavor of this tea.