What Cha is Better? Matcha or Hojicha

Both matcha and hojicha come from the same Camellia sinensis plant, yet they offer completely different drinking experiences. One is bright and energizing. The other is warm and calming.

So which one is better? That depends entirely on what you want from your cup.

If you're after morning focus, matcha has your back. If evening relaxation sounds more like it, hojicha might be your match. And if you're somewhere in between, you might find room for both.

Here's everything you need to know to decide which one fits your lifestyle.

Matcha and Hojicha Comparison

How Matcha and Hojicha Are Made

Matcha comes from shade-grown tea leaves called tencha.

These leaves are carefully stone-milled into a fine powder, which you then whisk and drink whole. Because you're consuming the entire leaf, you get the full concentration of everything inside it.

Shading the plants before harvest is what makes matcha so distinctive. This process boosts chlorophyll and L-theanine levels in the leaves, giving matcha its vibrant green color and smooth, umami-rich character.

Hojicha takes a completely different path.

It starts as green tea, often bancha or sencha, but instead of being steamed like most Japanese teas, the leaves are roasted. This transforms both the color and the caffeine content, turning the leaves from green to reddish-brown and reducing much of the stimulating effect.

This difference in processing is what creates two entirely different tea experiences from the same plant. Same origin, different destinations.

Flavor and Experience

Matcha tastes grassy and vegetal with strong umami notes.

If you've ever noticed that savory depth in nori or dashi, you'll recognize a similar quality in a well-made cup of matcha. It's fresh, green, and surprisingly complex.

Quality matters significantly when it comes to matcha. High-end ceremonial grade matcha like 753 Matcha offers a smooth cup with gentle nuttiness and natural sweetness. Lower grades, on the other hand, tend toward bitterness and a harsher finish. The difference is noticeable from the first sip.

Hojicha undergoes a roasting process that eliminates most of that bitterness entirely.

What you get instead are warm, toasty notes with caramel undertones and hints of cocoa. If you enjoy those roasted, malty flavors, you might also appreciate Kōyō Red Matcha, which shares some of that same cozy warmth.

Where matcha feels fresh and lively, hojicha feels like a cozy hug in a cup.

Caffeine, Energy, and Timing

Matcha contains 38 to 88 mg of caffeine per cup when using about 2g of powder.

But here's what makes matcha special. The caffeine is paired with L-theanine, an amino acid that smooths out the energy curve. Instead of jitters and a crash, you get steady, focused alertness that lasts.

Hojicha sits on the opposite end of the spectrum, with just 5 to 30 mg of caffeine per cup.

That makes it gentle enough to enjoy in the evening without worrying about sleep. The roasting process is responsible for this dramatic reduction, making hojicha one of the lowest-caffeine tea options.

This makes matcha ideal for mornings and early afternoons when you want calm alertness to power through your day. Hojicha suits those later hours when you want flavor and ritual without the buzz.

Should You Choose Matcha or Hojicha?

Choose matcha if you want a morning ritual that tastes special and sharpens focus. It's perfect for those who enjoy fresh, vegetal flavors and want the higher antioxidant content that comes from consuming the whole leaf.

Choose hojicha if you prefer warm, roasted notes and need a low-caffeine option for later in the day. It's also a great choice if you find green tea's grassiness too intense.

Many tea lovers keep both on hand to match different moments throughout the day. Matcha as a morning boost, hojicha as an evening wind-down. There's no rule that says you have to pick just one.

We appreciate hojicha for its warmth and accessibility, but matcha is where our hearts are.

The ritual of whisking, the vibrant color, the quiet magic of calm energy in a single cup. That's what keeps us coming back every day. If you're looking for a quality matcha, 753 Matcha is a great place to start.