Houjicha Latte (Hot or Iced)

This delicious Houjicha Latte, made with Houjicha powder, is featured on our autumn/winter menu. Making it at home is easy—especially if you’re familiar with a Matcha Latte. Simply swap the matcha for Houjicha!

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp Houjicha powder (≈ 2 bamboo scoops)
• 50 ml water at 80°C (176°F)
• 150 ml milk (e.g., Oatly Barista oat milk, soy, coconut, or almond)
• Optional: a pinch of vanilla sugar or 1 tsp honey/agave/maple syrup if you like it sweet
• For iced: ice cubes

Tools / Necessities:

• Bamboo whisk (chasen)
• Bamboo scoop (chashaku)
• Matcha bowl (chawan)
• Milk frother
• Optional: small kitchen sieve
• Mug or glass

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Houjicha:

• Sift 1/2 tsp Houjicha powder (≈ 1–1.5 g) through a small kitchen sieve into a bowl to prevent clumps.
• Add ~50 ml hot water (80°C / 176°F) and whisk vigorously with a bamboo whisk in a W-motion for about 15 seconds until a light brown foam forms.

2. Froth the milk:

• For hot latte: Froth 150 ml milk warm in your milk frother.
• For iced latte: Froth 150 ml milk cold in your milk frother.

3. Assemble the latte:

• Hot: Pour the whisked Houjicha into a mug, add optional sweetener, then pour in the warm frothed milk.
• Iced: Add ice cubes to a glass, pour in the whisked Houjicha, optional sweetener, then top with cold frothed milk.

Enjoy your Houjicha Latte, hot or iced! Low in caffeine, perfect any time of day—even in the evening.