Finally. An easy way to make yummy roasted bubble tea at home. Naturally sweet. Smooth and smoky. Not matcha. The Alchemist is the cool, nonchalant brother of the family (greentea). His roasted, woody flavours are quirky but loveable. 

How it tastes: 

The taste is one of a kind. The Alchemist is a light bodied drink. A smokiness that is woody with hints of nuttiness. Toasted over charcoal, the roasted notes are aromatic. A sweet candy like fragrance that is faint and inviting.

Being the brown sheep of the herd. The Alchemist doesn't compete with his siblings (matcha). In lattes it's as if your chocolate ice-cream had melted, with an earthiness like cocoa. Smells herbal when whisked, he impresses in his own way. Rolled over extreme heat, the traditional roasting method evaporates 96% of caffeine — making Hojicha powder a cosy, cool, calm drink for slow mornings and relaxing nights.

On top of that, the health benefits stay. Loved for his calming properties, hojicha is great for stress relief. Bursting with vitamins and antioxidants to boost your immune system, he reduces bloating while supporting digestion and heart health.

Did you know in Japan Hojicha is fed to babies? Enjoyed by elderly, the Alchemist is safe for all ages — more than suitable for caffeine sensitive individuals, he is almost a decaffeinated matcha if it wasn't for the amber hue.

Though made with heat and smoke, his a drink that cools and chills. In summer I find myself craving the heat, just so I can sip on iced houjicha latte to chill me out. The roasted flavours are simple to embrace and easily appreciated.

Best ways to enjoy it:

The Alchemist is confident in all applications. For baking it adds layers of toasty flavour — giving baked goods a beautiful amber brown colour that's light and airy notably in sponge cakes. A good idea to fill it with extra hojicha cream for triple the roasted tea flavours. I know I would. It seems to be my companion between 2-6pm, when a gentle pick me up is needed.

In hojicha lattes, the smoky flavour makes it a roasted green tea latte from boba shops. It's subtle and snappy. Easy to drink, especially when iced. What I found interesting is when paired with full-fat whole milks it doesn't diminish the flavours nor overshadow it. From time to time it would be wise to re-mix it again as it can be powdery with residue at the bottom.

In oat and soy the Alchemist is relatively smooth. Hand in hand the nuttiness of nut-milks and hojicha is something awesome to admire. It's a warm, fuzzy feeling that is cool and satisfying.

Origin: 100% Japanese Roasted Green Tea (Blend of Sencha, Kukicha, Bancha)

2nd Harvest green teas. Wazuka, Kyoto.