Side by Side Tastings - Hojicha
The five Sakuraco teas I will be testing.
For comparison, all six teas will be steeped at 95C for 1 minute. I will taste the three ‘unflavoured’ Hojichas first.
Karigane Hojicha
This is an organic loose leaf, large cut tea from The Naked Leaf shop in Calgary.
“Crafted from the finest Gyokuro, Japan’s premier green tea grade our Karigane Hojicha presents a gentle, nutty sweetness that leaves no room for bitterness. This remarkable tea offers a refreshing and satisfying taste experience.
In addition to its exceptional flavor profile, hojicha boasts the advantage of having the lowest caffeine content among Japanese green teas. So, savor the moment without worrying about excessive stimulation. Embrace the tranquil allure of hojicha, where taste and calmness unite in every sip.”
The Karigane Hojicha has a floral and roasted scent, with a smooth flavour profile, it has a golden hue, and a well-rounded toasted flavour. $26/60 grams and it comes in a limited edition decorative tin (I chose Tea Tin No. 729).
Rabbit and frog tea party tin
Tea Tin No. 729
Kagashima Hojicha
Takayagani Seicha - Shizuoka
“Comforting roasted aroma with a smooth taste, mellow finish, subtle bitterness and naturally low caffeine.” - Sakuraco
Sakuraco only sends tea bags - the tea was finely chopped (slightly coarser than the Makinohara). It has a lovely golden red colour, smooth, light caramel flavour with a hint of mineral. Delicious.
Makinohara Hojicha [1]
Finely cut leaves, lighter in colour than the Kagashima Hojicha. This tea is very smooth. It still has the toasty scent and flavour with less bitterness than the Kagashima.
Takayagani Seicha - Shizuoka
“Richly roasted aroma with a refreshing flavor, smooth finish, low caffeine, and reduced bitterness.” - Sakuraco
Liquor (left to right) Karigane, Kagoshima, Makinohara (the latter two were strained because the leaves were so fine)
Infused Hojichas
Caramel Hojicha [2]
Takayagani Seicha - Shizuoka
“Warm caramel notes blend with rich roasted flavors, creating a smooth, indulgent tea with naturally low caffeine and a touch of sweetness.” - Sakuraco
The taste of hojicha with the smooth addition of caramel - not only the aroma, but the flavour. A nice after-dinner tea.
Caramel Bergamot Hojicha
Hagiri - Shizuoka
“The sweetness of caramel meets the bright citrus flavor of bergamot within this hojicha, or roastedgreen tea, to create an aromatic cup with a mellow body and gentle warmth.” - Sakuraco (Feb. 2026)
It is true I love the taste of bergamot in tea. Earl Grey [3] has traditionally been my favourite ‘go to’ black tea when I just want a quick cup (with a splash of milk). It is no surprise then that I found this tea so lovely. I didn’t expect it to, but I could drink this often. ☕
Melon Hojicha
Kakegawa Ippudou - Shizuoka
“Cultivated in Shizuoka, this hojicha is crafted by roasting sencha leaves to create a smooth, low-caffeine tea. Subtle notes of melon brighten its toasty depth with a refreshing finish.” - Sakuraco, Nov. 2025
When I opened the tea bag package there was an incredibly strong scent of melon. I wouldn’t call this ‘subtle’ as described by Sakuraco. Honestly, it was a little off-putting for me. I would definitely not drink this again.
Sakuraco teas (left to right) Caramel Hojicha, Caramel Bergamot, Melon
I enjoyed all three of the hojichas at the top, and I could drink the Caramel Hojicha on occasion, but I was so pleasantly surprised that I really enjoyed the Caramel Bergamot Hojicha. Any of these five teas would be fine for me. I personally would not purchase the Melon Hojicha - it doesn’t work with my palate (although you might like it).
Keep on Sipping!
[1] The Makinohara Hojicha was previously described under my post Sakura Blossom Tea 💮on Mar. 22, 2026.
[2] This Caramel Hojicha was previously described under my post Matcha Infused Sencha from Dec. 21, 2025.
[3] Earl Grey tea - Wikipedia
