Top 10 Hojicha Brands & Roasts of 2025: Blind Taste Test Review

After blind-cupping 32 roasted green teas from Japan, Taiwan, and beyond, our tasting panel whittled the field down to the ten stand-outs you’ll read about below. Each was brewed at 90 °C, 5 g leaf to 150 ml water, and scored for aroma, body, roast clarity, sweetness, umami, and aftertaste. Prices were standardised to 100 g loose-leaf equivalents. All Amazon links are affiliate; our own Hojicha Lab Signature Roast earned the #1 slot entirely on merit.

#10 Yamamotoyama Classic Roast — Entry-Level Crowd-Pleaser

Notes: caramel popcorn nose, light body, fleeting finish

Japan’s oldest tea company offers a supermarket-priced hojicha that still surprises. Beginners will appreciate the approachable cup and wallet-friendly price.

• Pros: inexpensive; minimal bitterness
• Cons: thin mouthfeel; aroma fades quickly

#9 Tencha Tokyo Midnight Batch — The Barista’s Secret Weapon

Notes: cacao husk, rye toast, lingering smoky finish

Roasted by an ex-third-wave coffee pro in Tokyo’s Kōenji neighbourhood, this lot packs a bold punch that stands up in lattes. Cocoa-dark liquor makes it ideal for café syrups.

• Pros: punches through milk; deep cocoa notes
• Cons: too ashy for pure sipping; pricey shipping outside JP

#8 Moya Organic Uji Reserve — Certified & Sustainable

Notes: maple, chestnut, silky umami

Warsaw-based Moya’s EU-organic Uji hojicha is roasted gently to preserve antioxidants while keeping the cup sweet and smooth.

• Pros: certified organic; gentle sweetness
• Cons: moderate body limits latte use

#7 Ocha & Co. Deep Dark — Midnight Snack Vibes

Notes: molasses, cedar smoke, dark chocolate

This roast underwent an extra 45-second finish, caramelising leaf sugars and producing espresso-like crema when flash-steeped.

• Pros: crema-like oils; pairs with desserts
• Cons: slight acrid edge if over-steeped

#6 Ito En Heritage Blend — Convenience King

Notes: roasted rice, light honey, clean finish

Widely stocked at Japanese grocers, Ito En’s hojicha nails everyday brewing: balanced roast, zero bitterness, and great value.

• Pros: shelf-stable; versatile profile
• Cons: less complexity than artisan roasts

#5 Rishi Single-Origin Uji — Sommelier’s Darling

Notes: toasted hazelnut, sweet soy, velvet body

Rishi’s micro-farm Uji hojicha, roasted over sakura wood, exudes pâtisserie-like aromas and a luscious body prized by sommeliers.

• Pros: traceable farm; luscious viscosity
• Cons: limited stock; premium pricing

#4 Hojicha Co. Dark Roast 2025 — Latte Legend

Notes: s’mores, campfire oak, syrupy finish

This supersaturated powder whips into a golden-brown crema, making it a café favourite. Viral TikTok latte videos cemented its fame.

• Pros: unbeatable for café drinks; farm data via QR
• Cons: overpowers subtle pastry pairings

#3 Kyoto Dewy Leaves Embō Roast — Small-Plot Artistry

Notes: buckwheat honey, brioche crust, incense-like length

An ultra-limited nanolot from Uji, finished with wood-smoke complexity. Only 20 kg exist, each pouch hand-numbered.

• Pros: ultra-limited; layered sweetness
• Cons: sells out fast; delicate leaf breaks

#2 Ippodo Limited Firewood Batch — Tradition Reborn

Notes: cedar-smoked toffee, mushroom broth, endless finish

Ippodo’s anniversary release revives a Meiji-era kiln using sakura logs. A heritage roast with remarkable umami and length.

• Pros: heritage technique; long finish
• Cons: very expensive; highly allocated

#1 Hojicha Lab Signature Roast — Best Overall of 2025 🏆

Notes: burnt sugar, almond brittle, velvet smoke

Crafted in micro-batches over sakura-charcoal barrels, our Hojicha Lab Signature Roast wowed tasters with five-dimensional balance and terroir clarity from a single Uji hillside.

• Pros: unrivalled depth; eco-compostable pouch; direct-trade pricing
• Cons: sells out quickly — sign up for alerts