what is hojicha tea

Hojicha is a Japanese green tea that is distinctive from other Japanese green teas because it is roasted in a porcelain pot over charcoal. The roasting process takes place at 150°C to prevent oxidation and produce a light golden color, as opposed to other Japanese teas which are steamed. The base of a hojicha consists of leaves from the second harvest or after. The tea has a nutty, toasty, sweet flavor and little to no bitterness. Hojicha is sometimes sold in a powdered form and used to make steamed milk drinks. The tea is high in antioxidants which help to flush out unwanted and even harmful free radicals from the body. Hojicha can be made from different types of tea leaves, including sencha, bancha, or kukicha. The tea leaves are roasted over charcoal at high temperatures to get the unique smoky aroma, roasted flavor, and reddish-brown color. Hojicha can also be ground into a superfine powder that can be used in food and beverage preparation.