A hojicha latte is one of the easiest drinks you can make at home. It tastes warm, nutty and a little sweet, like toasted caramel, and it has very little bitterness. You don't need a café machine or any special skill. If you can stir a drink, you can make this one. Whether you're in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, you can make a good hojicha latte in about three minutes. Here is the full recipe.
What you need to make a hojicha latte at home
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2–3g hojicha powder (about one bamboo scoop and a little extra)
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20-30 ml hot water, around 80–90°C
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120-150 ml milk of your choice
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A bowl, a bamboo whisk and a fine sifter
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May add little of honey 2-5 g for little sweetness (optional)
If you already make matcha, you have everything. If not, the Hallnara Matcha Starter Kit has the bowl, whisk, sifter and scoop in one set. No whisk at all? A small electric milk frother also works for stirring the powder smooth.
Step 1: Sift your Hojicha Powder
Put the hojicha powder through a fine sifter into your bowl. This breaks up the small lumps that form in any fine powder. It takes ten seconds, and it is the main reason your latte comes out smooth instead of gritty.
Step 2: Whisk Hojicha Powder with hot water
Pour in 60ml of hot water at 80–90°C. Hojicha is roasted, so it can handle hotter water than matcha. Whisk it in a quick back-and-forth "W" motion for 20–30 seconds, until it looks smooth with a light foam on top. Whisking in slow circles won't work as well.
Step 3: Add milk to finish your hojicha latte
Warm 150ml of milk until it is hot but not boiling, then froth it if you like. Pour it over your whisked hojicha and stir once. That's it. Taste it, and add honey or your favourite sweetener if you want it sweeter. Hojicha is naturally gentle and sweet, so many people don't need any.
How to make an iced hojicha latte for the UAE heat
For most of the year in the UAE, an iced drink is what you want. The first two steps stay the same. Then fill a glass with ice, pour in 150ml of cold milk, and pour the whisked hojicha over the top. Stir and drink. The warm, roasted flavour still comes through when it's cold.
Best milk and sweetener for a hojicha latte
Oat milk is the favourite. It is creamy and a little sweet, and it matches hojicha's roasted, nutty taste. Full-fat milk gives a rich, comforting latte. Almond milk makes it lighter.
For sweetness, honey works well. Coconut nectar is another option if you want a gentler alternative to refined sugar. Start with a small amount, because hojicha already has a natural sweetness.
Hojicha vs Matcha latte: what is the difference?
Both are made the same way, but they taste very different. Matcha is green, grassy and a little bitter, with more caffeine. Hojicha is brown, toasty and mellow, with much less caffeine, because the roasting takes most of it away. Both make a lovely latte. Read more in Matcha vs Hojicha: Which Tea Is Right for You?.
Why a low-caffeine Hojicha latte is good for the evening
Because hojicha is low in caffeine, it is a calm choice for the afternoon or evening, when a matcha latte might keep you up. Many people make one after dinner as a quiet end to the day. Hallnara's hojicha is the Okayama "Restore" (回復): softly roasted, nutty and smooth, made for slowing down.
Hojicha latte mistakes to avoid
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Skipping the sifter. This is the main cause of a gritty, lumpy latte.
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Adding all the water and milk at once. Make the smooth paste first, then add milk.
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Using boiling milk. It can turn the taste flat. Hot, not boiling, is best.
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Using too much powder. More than 3g can make the drink heavy. Start small and adjust.
Where to Buy Hojicha Powder in the UAE
You can order hojicha powder online from Hallnara, with delivery across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and all seven emirates in 1–3 working days. See the full range in the hojicha collection. For the best experience, pair it with a handmade chawan made for hojicha, a bowl built for whisking and sipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much hojicha powder do I use for one latte?
Use 2–3g per cup. Start with 2g if you want a lighter taste.
Can I make a hojicha latte without a whisk?
Yes. Use a small electric milk frother, or stir very well with a spoon. Sifting first helps a lot.
Is a hojicha latte good for the evening?
Yes. Hojicha is much lower in caffeine than matcha, so it is a popular evening drink.
Can I make a hojicha latte with oat milk?
Yes. Oat milk is one of the best choices, because its creamy, slightly sweet taste suits hojicha well.
Where can I buy hojicha powder in the UAE?
Hallnara delivers hojicha powder across all UAE emirates within 1–3 working days. Order at hallnara.com.
