Recipes · Hojicha
Banana Bread Hojicha Latte
Say hello to the drink that's taking over our feed this month. This banana bread hojicha latte layers a warm, banana bread syrup with a smooth hojicha shot, oat milk and ice finished with a thin slice of banana bread on top. It's cosy, comforting, and ridiculously easy to make at home.
What is hojicha? (And why we're obsessed)
Hojicha is a roasted Japanese green tea. That roasting is what gives hojicha its signature flavour: toasty, nutty and faintly sweet.
The roasting process also breaks down much of the tea's natural caffeine, so hojicha gives you a calmer, gentler lift than matcha or coffee. That makes it perfect for a slow weekend morning, an afternoon reset, or like this recipe a treat you can enjoy well into the evening without losing sleep over it.
We've just launched our own ceremonial-grade hojicha here at Mafia Matcha, and we wanted its first recipe to be something worth the hype.
Banana Bread Hojicha Latte
Super yummy, easy and perfectly comforting makes 1 large glass, plus extra banana bread syrup for later.
Banana bread syrup
- 1 banana
- 2 heaped tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- A splash of water (40ml)
Hojicha shot
- 3g Mafia Matcha hojicha
- 30-40ml water, heated to 80°C
To build
- Ice
- Oat milk
- A thin slice of banana bread, to garnish
Method
- Add the chopped banana, brown sugar, cinnamon and a splash of water to a saucepan.
- Simmer on medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
- Cool down, then blend with a hand blender into a smooth puree. Add a little more water if you'd like the syrup thinner.
- Prepare the hojicha shot: whisk 3g hojicha with 30-40ml water at 80°C until smooth and lump-free.
- Spoon your banana bread syrup into a glass, fill with ice and top up with oat milk. Pour the hojicha shot over the top and watch it layer beautifully.
- Garnish with a thin banana bread slice and serve immediately.
Hojicha FAQs
What is hojicha?
Hojicha is a Japanese green tea that's roasted rather than steamed, giving it a reddish-brown colour and a toasty, caramel-like flavour, with naturally lower caffeine than matcha.
Does hojicha taste like matcha?
Not really. They come from the same tea plant, but roasting gives hojicha a warm, nutty, slightly smoky flavour rather than matcha's bright, grassy taste.
How much caffeine does hojicha have compared to matcha?
The roasting process breaks down much of the caffeine, so hojicha is noticeably gentler than matcha a good choice for later in the day.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, the banana bread syrup keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days, so you can prep it once and build a fresh hojicha latte whenever the craving hits.
Where can I buy hojicha in Ireland?
Right here. Mafia Matcha's ceremonial-grade hojicha ships across Ireland, so you can make this recipe at home from your first sip.
Tag @mafiamatcha if you recreate this recipe, we'd love to see it.