Bancha Hojicha Loose Leaf Roasted Green Tea

Our Bancha Hojicha loose leaf roasted green tea is a smooth, toasty Japanese tea with a clear reddish-amber cup, natural caramel sweetness and gentle nutty warmth. Made from later-harvest Bancha leaf and carefully roasted, it has very little bitterness or astringency and is especially comforting hot, refreshing over ice and well suited to evening drinking.

Bancha Hojicha Loose Leaf Roasted Green Tea

Bancha Hojicha is one of Japan’s most distinctive green teas, transformed through roasting into a mellow, amber-coloured cup with a warm, toasted aroma. Specialist tea sellers commonly describe Bancha Hojicha as a roasted Japanese green tea with nutty, caramelised flavour and a softer profile than standard green tea.

This version is made from Bancha leaf, giving it a grounded, comforting character that is highly approachable while still genuinely interesting in the cup.

Toasty, Smooth and Naturally Caramel-Led

In the cup, this Bancha Hojicha loose leaf roasted green tea brews to a clear reddish-amber liquor with inviting warmth. The flavour is gently roasted and smooth, with soft caramel sweetness, subtle nuttiness and a clean finish that lingers without bitterness.

It is very different from a grassy Japanese green tea, making it a particularly appealing option for those who prefer mellow, rounded flavours.

A Roasted Green Tea with Low-Caffeine Appeal

Hojicha is made by roasting green tea leaves, commonly Bancha or Sencha, which changes both its flavour and its character in the cup. The roasting process gives the tea its reddish-brown liquor, toasted aroma and naturally gentle profile. Hojicha is also widely regarded as a lower-caffeine tea than many other true teas, which helps explain its popularity for later-day drinking.

At a Glance

• Tea type: Loose leaf roasted green tea
• Origin: Japan
• Style: Bancha Hojicha
• Liquor: Clear reddish-amber
• Flavour: Toasty, smooth, nutty and naturally caramel-sweet
• Best enjoyed: Without milk, hot or over ice

A Comforting Tea for Food, Evenings and Iced Brewing

Bancha Hojicha is a natural companion to meals, particularly savoury and Asian-inspired dishes, where its toasted warmth sits beautifully alongside food without overpowering it. It is equally rewarding as a calming evening cup or served chilled in warmer weather.

Its mellow roasted character also makes it one of the most approachable Japanese teas for customers who usually find green tea too sharp or vegetal.

How to Brew Bancha Hojicha

Use water at around 80°C to 85°C and add one heaped teaspoon per cup. Steep for 2 to 3 minutes.

A shorter brew gives a lighter, gently toasted cup. A fuller 3-minute infusion develops more roasted warmth and caramel-like depth.

The leaf can be infused again, producing a softer second cup. For iced Hojicha, brew a little stronger and pour directly over ice.

Ingredients

Roasted green tea, Bancha Hojicha.

About High Teas London

High Teas London has been sourcing distinctive loose leaf teas and infusions since 2008. With over 350 different teas in our collection, we are proud to offer teas that are both characterful and genuinely enjoyable, including comforting Japanese favourites such as Bancha Hojicha.