In Japan, when people feel tired, overwhelmed, or simply need a moment of quiet,
there’s one tea they reach for:
Hojicha.
Not matcha.
Not sencha.
But a warm, roasted tea with a calming aroma.
Today’s riddle is:
Why do Japanese people relax with hojicha?
“I thought matcha was the famous Japanese tea.
But everyone around me drinks hojicha at night. Why?”
“Because hojicha doesn’t wake the body.
It quiets the mind.”
Hojicha’s Secret Begins with Fire
The Roasting Process
Hojicha is made by roasting green tea leaves over high heat until they turn
deep brown and aromatic.
This simple transformation changes everything:
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Bitterness melts away
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Caffeine drops to a very low level
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A warm, nutty aroma appears
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The flavor becomes round, soft, and comforting
Roasting turns tea from “bright and green” → “warm and grounding.”
“So it’s not really green tea anymore?”
“It is.
But it’s a green tea that has learned to relax.”
How Hojicha Differs from Other Japanese Teas
Sencha – fresh, grassy, energizing
→ Morning tea
→ Higher caffeine
→ Sharp, bright taste
Matcha – rich, ceremonial, powerful
→ High caffeine
→ Focus & energy
Gyokuro – deep umami, premium
→ Special occasions
Hojicha – roasted, nutty, gentle
→ Low caffeine
→ Soft aroma
→ Relaxing
→ Night tea
“Sencha wakes you up.
Hojicha lets you breathe out.”
“I think I need more hojicha in my life…”
The Aroma That Feels Like Evening in Japan
Hojicha smells like:
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roasted nuts
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soft caramel
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warm wooden rooms
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the end of a long day
A scent that feels like home for Japanese people.
“When I smell hojicha, I feel like sitting down.”
“That’s because your mind recognizes safety before you do.”
Hojicha and the Zen of Relaxation
Hojicha embodies the Zen idea of
“less is more.”
-
no bitterness
-
no tension
-
no strong aftertaste
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just warmth and space
It’s tea that doesn’t ask for attention.
It simply exists beside you quietly.
“Zen is not about adding calmness.
It is about removing noise.
Hojicha is the same.”
How Japanese People Enjoy Hojicha
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before bed
-
after dinner
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with simple sweets
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during reading or journaling
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when recovering from stress
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on cold nights
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after a hot bath
It’s not a luxury tea.
It’s a daily ritual of returning to yourself.
Why Hojicha Is Loved Overseas Now
Reasons for its surging popularity overseas:
・Its “roasted flavor” fits well with coffee culture
・Low caffeine content makes it suitable even at night
・Hojicha latte is a huge trend overseas
・Milder and easier to drink than matcha
・Offers a sense of “Japanese calm”
“Maybe hojicha is the real drink for slowing down…”
“Exactly.
It teaches you how to land softly.”
Recommended Hojicha for a Calming Evening
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Deep roasted hojicha (strong aroma)
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Light roasted hojicha (gentle flavor)
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Teabags for beginners
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Loose leaf for deeper aroma
Hojicha is not just a drink.
It is Japan’s quiet way of saying:
“You’ve done enough today.”
When the day ends
and the world grows softer,
Japanese people reach for hojicha—
Not to energize,
but to return to themselves.
