This is one of the first questions people ask before discovering hojicha. The answer is yes, but with an important nuance: hojicha contains far less caffeine than almost all other hot beverages. Here's why, and what that concretely changes for you.
Table of Contents
- Yes, hojicha contains caffeine, but very little
- Why hojicha is naturally low in caffeine
- Comparison: hojicha, matcha, green tea, and coffee
- Can you drink hojicha in the evening?
- Who is hojicha suitable for?
- What can cause caffeine content to vary
Yes, hojicha contains caffeine, but very little
Hojicha comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, like all teas. This plant naturally contains caffeine in its leaves. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to say that hojicha is "caffeine-free."
However, what makes hojicha unique is the quantity: a cup of hojicha contains on average between 7 and 15 mg of caffeine. This is one of the lowest levels among all hot beverages made from tea or coffee.
To give you an idea, this is approximately 5 to 10 times less than a coffee, and 3 to 4 times less than a classic green tea. A considerable difference that completely changes the effect felt after drinking it.
Why hojicha is naturally low in caffeine
The key is roasting. Hojicha is the only Japanese tea to undergo high-temperature roasting, between 180 and 220 °C, after the leaves are dried. It is this step that gives it its amber color and its nutty and caramel aromas.
But roasting has another, less visible effect: it degrades and volatilizes a large part of the caffeine contained in the leaves. The longer and more intense the roasting, the more caffeine disappears. This is a natural process, without any chemical treatment.
This is also why hojicha is traditionally served in the evening in Japan — the Japanese had long observed that this beverage did not disturb sleep, long before science explained it.
Comparison: hojicha, matcha, green tea, and coffee
To better visualize the difference, here are the average caffeine contents per 200 ml cup:
- Espresso coffee (200 ml): 70 to 100 mg of caffeine
- Matcha: 50 to 70 mg of caffeine
- Green tea (Sencha): 30 to 40 mg of caffeine
- Black tea: 25 to 50 mg of caffeine
- Hojicha: 7 to 15 mg of caffeine
Hojicha clearly stands out. It is the only hot beverage on this list that can be reasonably consumed in the evening without risking disturbing your sleep.
For comparison, some herbal teas contain 0 mg of caffeine, but they do not offer the complex aromas, antioxidants, or the ritual of Japanese tea that hojicha provides.
Can you drink hojicha in the evening?
This is precisely why hojicha exists in Japanese culture. For centuries, it has been the evening drink par excellence, served after meals, when the day ends and the body seeks to relax.
With only 7 to 15 mg of caffeine per cup, hojicha is not likely to cause the insomnia or agitation that can be felt after a coffee or matcha consumed too late in the day. The vast majority of people, including those who describe themselves as "caffeine sensitive," tolerate hojicha very well in the evening.
It thus becomes an ideal ritual to mark the transition between the day's activity and evening rest: warm, comforting, without excessive stimulation.
Who is hojicha suitable for?
Thanks to its low caffeine content, hojicha appeals to a much wider audience than most teas:
- People sensitive to caffeine who still want to enjoy a flavorful hot drink
- Those who want to reduce their coffee consumption without sacrificing the pleasure of a warm and comforting ritual
- Stressed or anxious individuals for whom caffeine amplifies symptoms
- Those who have trouble falling asleep and are looking for an alternative to often bland herbal teas
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women who need to limit their caffeine intake (in this case, consult your doctor)
What can cause caffeine content to vary
The figures given here are averages. In practice, the caffeine content of a cup of hojicha can vary depending on several factors:
- The quality and type of hojicha: a hojicha made from whole leaves generally contains less caffeine than a hojicha made from stems or younger leaves
- The dosage: the more powder you use, the more caffeine increases
- Water temperature: hotter water extracts slightly more caffeine
- Steeping time: for loose leaf hojicha, the longer it steeps, the more caffeine is extracted
In summary: even taking these variations into account, hojicha remains in all cases one of the softest caffeine drinks you can choose.
Also read
Hojicha and Matcha: what are the differences?
Want to try hojicha in the evening? Discover our Hojicha Signature, roasted from whole leaves for an even more controlled caffeine content.
