Earl Grey is having its moment, from the popular Earl Grey matcha latte to Earl Grey milk tea and various other drinks. However, hojicha is also having its moment, especially after the perceived matcha shortage. So, that brings me to ask, have you had an Earl Grey hojicha latte? It’s roasty and toasty, with a nice citrusy flair from the bergamot! It’s super simple to make at home and might be a nice change from all the matcha you’re (I’m) drinking!

Here’s how to make an Earl Grey hojicha latte at home!

Earl Grey Hojicha Latte Takeaways:

• Use hojicha powder and prepare it the same way you prepare matcha.
• Infuse milk with Earl Grey tea overnight for the best flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• It’s simple and only requires 5 ingredients, which you might already have at home.
• Try a new flavor combination that might become your new favorite!
• It’s an easy variation of a classic hojicha latte you can make ahead of time.
• This recipe is easy to follow and helps you make a cafe-quality beverage right in your own kitchen.

What is Hojicha?

Hojicha is a roasted Japanese green tea made from the old leaves, sticks, and twigs of green tea plants. It’s a naturally low or decaffeinated tea that has a very unique toasted flavor from the roasting process. Because of this, it’s popular with caffeine-sensitive people, kids, and older folks who want something gentle.

It’s normally sold as tea leaves, but you can also get it in tea powder form like matcha. Powder hojicha is best for lattes when you add a lot of milk, while loose-leaf is best for drinking as a brewed tea.

Do Earl Grey and Hojicha Go Together?

I think, yes! Earl Grey is a black tea infused with the oil of bergamot, which is a hybird orange and lemon citrus fruit from Italy. It’s a popular oil in aromatherapy because of its soothing properties and has a sweet, floral, and citrus scent.

Hojicha, as mentioned, has a unique roasted aroma, which can sometimes smell like coffee or chocolate. Since it’s a deeper and darker smell, it pairs nicely with a lighter flavor, just like bergamot! The black tea has a subtle maltiness, which just adds a nice layer to the tea.

Both hojicha and Earl Grey tea have strong flavors, compared to something lighter like jasmine or white tea. Luckily, they don’t overpower each other and create a nice flavor balance! You get the roasted flavor of the green tea, which is followed by the Earl Grey aroma.

How to Add Earl Grey Tea Flavor

There are two ways to add Earl Grey to a hojicha latte. First, you can infuse the milk with Earl Grey tea or brew a concentrate to make a latte. I like the milk infusion method because you retain the creaminess and have a strong tea flavor. Sometimes concentrates can dilute the milk unless you use a creamier milk like whole or oat milk.

Second, you can make an Earl Grey tea syrup that is sweetened, concentrated tea used to sweeten and flavor the milk without brewing anything. I also like this method, but find that the tea flavor is less prominent. It is definitely convenient, though, if you are making large quantities and want an efficient method.

Earl Grey Hojicha Latte Recipe: Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make an Earl Grey hojicha latte at home:

• Hojicha Powder — This is the star of this drink! You’ll want a hojicha powder that’s soft, fine, and aromatic. You can use either light or dark hojicha powder. Normally, I find this online or in Japan.
• Earl Grey Tea — Looseleaf Earl Grey tea is the best, as its higher quality tea and gives a better brew. You can find it at almost every grocery store or go to your local tea store. However, you can also use tea bags, but you’ll need double the amount this recipe calls for. (i.e. 1 tbsp = 2 tea bags)
• Milk — 2% or whole milk is my preference, but you can swap it out for your favorite non-dairy milk alternative like oat milk, lactose-free milk, soy, etc.
• Brown Sugar — My sweetener of choice for Earl Grey is brown sugar. I find that the caramel-esque flavor pairs well with it, but you can use regular sugar, agave, maple syrup, honey, etc. Note that different sweeteners can add more sweetness per tsp than others.
• Ice
• Water — For hoijcha powder, you’ll want hot water, but not boiling. Normally, matcha needs water around 175 F, so you can use the same here.

How to Make an Earl Grey Hojicha Latte

1. Infuse Milk. Add Earl Grey tea leaves, sugar, and milk to a small jar or bottle, then let it infuse in the fridge for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. The longer you let the milk infuse, the more fragrant it will get (up until a certain point). You can also sweeten your drink individually if you want to leave this unsweetened.
2. Whisk Hojicha. Sift hojicha powder into a matcha bowl and add hot water. Using a matcha whisk, vigorously whisk the tea for 20 – 30 seconds in zigzag motions, drawing letter M’s or W’s in the bowl. Keep whisking until frothy and a soft, microfoam forms.
3. Assemble Drink. Add ice to a separate glass and remove the infused tea milk from the fridge. Pour the milk over a strainer and into the glass, straining out the tea leaves. Add sugar or sugar syrup if desired and stir to combine.
4. Top off with your whisked hojicha, making sure to get all the tea out of the bowl using a spatula or adding a little bit of water.
5. Mix and Enjoy! Stir with a straw and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Earl Grey Hojicha Latte

• Brew Tea in Water First: If the tea-infused milk isn’t strong enough for you, brew the Earl Grey tea in a little bit of hot water, then add milk. The hot water will pull out more flavor, which you can’t really get in cold milk. Although it will also pull out some bitterness.
• Add Vanilla: There’s nothing a little vanilla can’t improve! Since this latte is very tea-forward, you can soften the tea flavors by adding a couple drops of vanilla extract. It will help make it taste creamier and more rounded.

FAQ’s

Can I make this hot?

Of course! This Earl Grey hojicha is also delicious hot, and honestly, might be better. To make this hot, repeat the milk infusion, but froth or heat up the milk until steaming. Then, whisk the hojicha and add it to a mug, then add your sweetener if you haven’t already, and pour the hot Earl Grey milk on top. Voila!

How long does Earl Grey milk last?

Typically, the infused milk lasts around 3 – 4 days for peak flavor, but I think it can last in the fridge for up to a week. If you want to make a large batch, just make sure to remove the leaves after steeping overnight. Otherwise, it’ll over-infuse, and it will taste bitter or overly strong.

Can I use tea bags?

Yes! For every 1 tbsp of Earl Grey loose-leaf tea, use tea bags of Earl Grey tea bag. Tea bags tend to have lower-quality tea in them, so the flavor isn’t as bold. So you’ll need double the amount to get the same flavor as loose-leaf tea.

Other Hojicha Recipes to Try

After you make this Earl Grey hojicha latte and surprise yourself with how delicious it is, I’m sure you’ll want to try more recipes! Here are some other amazing hojicha recipes to try next:

• Coconut Hojicha Cloud
• Mango Hojicha Latte
• Sea Salt Cold Foam Hojicha
• Banana Hojicha Latte
• Hojicha Einspanner