Hojicha Macchiato Japanese Beverage (Print Version)

Roasted green tea topped with frothy steamed milk creates a soothing Japanese-inspired beverage.

# Components:

→ Tea Base

01 - 1 1/2 teaspoons hojicha loose leaf tea or 1 hojicha tea bag
02 - 2/3 cup hot water at 195°F

→ Milk

03 - 2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk or oat milk

# Directions:

01 - Heat water to 195°F. Place hojicha tea leaves or tea bag in a teapot or mug.
02 - Pour hot water over the tea and steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the leaves or tea bag.
03 - Steam the milk using a milk frother, steam wand, or by heating and whisking until frothy.
04 - Pour the brewed hojicha into an espresso cup or small demitasse.
05 - Spoon a small amount of steamed milk foam directly onto the center of the tea, creating a macchiato dot.
06 - Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's that rare drink that feels like a treat but asks nothing complicated of you.
  • The roasted tea has this toasty, almost nutty calm that actually helps you think instead of racing your heart.
  • You get to feel like a proper barista for five minutes in your own kitchen.
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than you'd think—hojicha is forgiving, but scalding water turns it bitter and defeats the whole purpose of this soothing drink.
  • Don't skip the foam dot; it's not just decoration, it's that textural moment that makes this feel like something special rather than just tea with milk.
03 -
  • If your milk isn't frothing well, add just a touch of sugar—it stabilizes the foam and makes it silkier.
  • The moment that foam hits the hot tea, there's a soft sound, almost like a sigh; that's your signal that everything's working exactly as it should.
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