This is the coziest, most festive non-caffeinated drink you’ll have all holiday season. Roasted chestnuts are so warm and cozy (even mentioned in a couple of Christmas songs), but paired with an even toastier tea is just amazing. It’s creamy, nutty, savory, and perfect for cold days when you want something comforting.

Here’s how to make a chestnut hojicha latte at home!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s such a festive flavor combination!
• A fun way to use chestnuts in a latte.
• An easy step-by-step recipe for a cafe-quality beverage at home.
• Hojicha and chestnut are an insane flavor pairing you have to try.

What is Hojicha?

Hojicha is a Japanese roasted green tea famous for its warm, toasty flavor and dark brown color. It also has a fun origin story! A tea farmer back in the day roasted older, dried green tea leaves, stems, and veins to decrease tea waste. They slowly roasted the mix over charcoal fire and birthed hojicha.

The unique roasting process reduces bitterness and also gives the tea a very toasty flavor profile and a rich, nutty aroma. It also gives hojicha its signature smoothness and makes it especially comforting as an afternoon or evening drink. Since it’s light, it’s a popular post-meal tea and has a ton of health benefits!

What hojicha is not: Contrary to popular belief, hojicha is not roasted matcha powder. Hojicha is made from different tea parts and processed differently. So, don’t try to roast matcha at home because you’ll end up with burnt matcha!

What Does a Hojicha Latte Taste Like?

As mentioned, hojicha tea is super nutty, roasted, and toasted. In a latte, some people say it tastes like chocolate or even coffee, but without the bitterness. It can even taste similar to toast from the toasted flavor.

I’ve heard hojicha described as a tea for people who think they like coffee but don’t. Hojicha also has an incredible smoky aroma, which makes it smell like roasted coffee!

Do Chestnut and Hojicha go Together?

You bet! Roasted chestnuts have a slightly sweet, super nutty, and almost potato flavor. The main similarity with hojicha, though, is the nuttiness. Based on that overlapping flavor, the two complement each other incredibly well, and they almost blend into each other.

The chestnut adds a subtle nutty note, but the hojicha adds a nice toasted flavor. You get a really wide range of flavors by combining the two! It’s a popular combination in desserts, like cakes, pies, pastries, and even pudding.

What Chestnut to Use

There are several types of chestnuts you can use to flavor this drink: roasted whole chestnuts, chestnut paste, and chestnut milk.

I think chestnut paste or chestnut puree would be best since it’s pre-ground and sweetened. You can easily scoop it into milk and mix until well combined for a sweet chestnut milk! The downside is that you can’t adjust for sweetness or chestnut flavor.

I used whole roasted chestnuts in this recipe and pureed them in a small blender. This takes a bit of time, though, and the puree doesn’t get as smooth as the mass-produced ones. However, it’s super handy for using leftover roasted chestnuts and easy to adjust the flavor! I get my chestnuts precooked and roasted from snack packets.

I’ve also seen chestnut milk that you could use as the base instead of mixing chestnuts and milk together. I’ve never tried it, but I assume it tastes just like chestnuts in liquid form! You might need to add sugar to it, but this would be so handy!

How to Prepare Hojicha

I recommend using hojicha powder for a latte so that the roasted flavor is present. Normally brewed hojicha tea will be quite light, and you won’t be able to taste it in a latte form unless it’s concentrated.

For hojicha powder, you prepare it the same way as matcha powder: by whisking until foamy! You’ll need a matcha bowl (or honestly any wide-ish bowl), a bamboo whisk, and a tea sift. First, you sift the tea into the bowl, then add water. Next, you vigorously whisk in a zigzag motion until a froth forms.

Then, your tea is ready to use!

Chestnut Hojicha Latte: What You’ll Need

Equipment:

• A matcha bowl
• Matcha whisk
• A tea sift
• A blender or food processor

Ingredients:

• 1½ tsp hojicha powder
• ¼ cup water
• 1½ cups milk
• 1 cup ice
• 2 tsp sweetener
• ½ cup roasted chestnuts

How to Make Chestnut Hojicha Latte

1. Blend Chestnuts. Add roasted chestnuts and a little water to a small blender or food processor. Blend for 20 seconds or until smooth. You can also add a little sweetener here for more flavor.
2. Make Chestnut Milk. Once the chestnuts are fully blended, add milk and blend until well combined. You can also leave them separate and layer them in the drink.
3. Whisk Hojicha. Sift hojicha powder into a bowl, then add hot water. Whisk vigorously in a zigzag motion, drawing M or W motions, for 20-30 seconds or until a foam forms.
4. Assemble Drink. Add chestnut milk and ice to a separate glass, then top with the whisked hojicha.
5. Mix and Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Chestnut Hojicha Latte

• Strain Chestnut Milk: If you blend your own chestnuts, the resulting puree might come out grainy if you use a blender or food processor. Once you combine the chestnut and milk, strain it with a small sieve to get any chunks out. The milk will be a lot smoother, with less grainy texture.e
• Sweeten Generously: I find that chestnuts taste better with some sugar; otherwise, they can have a bland flavor. Especially when you add them to the bold hojicha tea, it’s easy for the flavor to get washed away. So, add the sugar in this recipe, then add more if needed.
• Whisk Hojicha Well: No one likes a clumpy tea latte! Make sure to whisk the hojicha powder well and that there are no clumps hiding at the bottom of the bowl. You can easily pass the tea through a small strainer when adding to the latte, too.
• Make it a Mont Blanc: For a cool look, you can mix chestnut paste with whipped cream and pipe it into a mountain on your drink. You’re basically making a Mont Blanc dessert on top of your latte!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hojicha have caffeine?

Hojicha actually has very little to no caffeine; it’s practically decaffeinated! The tea has about the same amount of caffeine that decaffeinated coffee has (roughly 7-20 mg of caffeine). So, it’s a great tea for anyone caffeine sensitive, like kids or elders!

What flavors pair well with hojicha?

Since hojicha has a nutty and roasted flavor, it pairs well with sweet, creamy, and fruity flavors. Things like white chocolate, milk, mango, strawberry, etc. It also works with caramel flavors like maple syrup, salted caramel, and toffee.

Is hojicha good for you?

Yes! Like other green teas, hojicha has a lot of nutrients and benefits! For example, people love the roasted aroma of hojicha, which can have calming effects. It can also promote digestion thanks to the catechins in it.

Other Hojicha Recipes to Try

If you love this chestnut hojicha latte, then you’re going to love other hojicha latte recipes. There’s something so delicious about a roasty and toasty tea that tastes unlike any other tea out there! Here are some drinks you should try next:

• Hojicha Hot Chocolate
• Coconut Hojicha Cloud
• Mango Hojicha Latte
• Sea Salt Cream Hojicha
• Banana Hojicha Latte