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What Is Hojicha, and How Does It Compare to Matcha?

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By Lindsay Parrill

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Published on Oct. 31, 2025 Save Saved Saving

Toasty, nutty and wonderfully mellow, this Japanese tea is quietly stealing matcha's spotlight.

If matcha is the extrovert of the tea world—bright, bold and impossible to miss on coffee shop menus—then hojicha is its more introverted counterpart. This roasted Japanese green tea has been stealing the spotlight lately, showing up in lattes, desserts and even skincare. But what exactly is hojicha, and why are tea drinkers suddenly obsessed with it?

What is hojicha?

Hojicha (pronounced HO-je

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