BENEFITS OF HOJICHA
✓ Reduces stress
✓ Antioxidant
✓ Relieves digestive issues
✓ May help with weight loss
What is hojicha tea?
The term « hojicha » (ほうじ茶) means « roasted tea » in Japanese. It is a type of green tea obtained by roasting the leaves from different varieties: Bancha, Sencha, or Kukicha.
Harvest takes place at the end of the season, in October. The leaves are then roasted at a temperature of 200°C. During the process, the water evaporates and the leaves take on a beautiful reddish-brown color.
Roasting produces a tea with a woody aroma and a roasted flavor. It is considered one of the most refined teas in the world.
It has hints of hazelnut, caramel, vanilla, cocoa.
This process also alters the chemical composition of the leaves. Thus, they lose a large amount of tannins and catechins which makes the tea less astringent.
This also yields a beverage low in theine/caffeine, perfect to enjoy in the evening.
Hojicha tea is highly valued by the Japanese. It often accompanies sushi, fish dishes and cheese. In the traditional recipe for Ochazuke, a typical Japanese dish, brewed green tea is poured directly over rice.
In addition to its taste qualities, it offers health benefits. Thanks to its relaxing action, it reduces stress and anxiety. It is also an antioxidant, relieves digestive disorders, and helps with weight loss. Finally, it is credited with potential anti-cancer properties.
Lire aussi | Guide d’achat des meilleurs anti-stress naturels
Nutritional composition
- Amino acids including L-theanine
- Vitamins : A, C, E
- Theine/caffeine (in small amounts)
- Antioxidant compounds : polyphenols (flavonoids), chlorophyll, catechins
Benefits of hojicha tea
🧘🏻♀️ Reduces stress
Hojicha tea has a soothing and relaxing effect on the mind. Thus, it helps relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. In addition, it improves certain brain functions such as memory, learning, or mental sharpness.
Like matcha, it contains theanine. This amino acid contributes to relaxation and stress reduction. Indeed, it can lower cortisol levels (or “stress hormone”) as shown by this study.
It also boosts mental capacity and supports brain function.
🥝 Antioxidant
Like other green teas, it contains antioxidant compounds. Thus, it contains polyphenols (flavonoids) and chlorophyll. However, it has fewer catechins, some of which are destroyed during the roasting process as shown by this study.
However, it is still useful for fighting free radicals and their damage. It protects cells from aging.
Finally, the polyphenols and the vitamin C it contains strengthen the immune system.
♻️ Relieves digestive issues
Because it is low in theine and tannins, it is ideal for sensitive stomachs and people sensitive to caffeine (children, older adults…). It is very mild and well tolerated by the body.
Consumed after a meal, it aids digestion. It also relieves certain digestive problems such as bloating or gastric acidity.
It can be drunk at any time of day and even in the evening, before bedtime. It is a good replacement for coffee or strong teas, which are too high in tannins.
🏃 May help with weight loss
Hojicha tea speeds up metabolism and increases the body’s use of lipids. Thus, it reduces storage in adipose tissue and promotes fat burning.
It is an excellent natural fat burner.
By improving digestion and relieving dyspepsia, it also contributes to a flat stomach. Drinking hojicha tea can therefore be beneficial for maintaining a slim figure or losing weight.
Further studies are still needed to confirm the effectiveness of hojicha tea on weight loss and obesity.
🔬 Potentially anti-cancer
Thanks to its antioxidant action, it could help prevent the onset of cancer.
In this study, for example, it was combined with other green teas (matcha, oolong…) and then administered to patients with bladder cancer.
It proved effective at blocking carcinogenic substances and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. This is due to the presence of antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoids.
How to consume it?
Opt for organic hojicha tea
We recommend buying tea originating from Japan and organic. This guarantees a product free of pesticide residues and grown in an environmentally friendly way.
This criterion is all the more important because tea leaves are very absorbent. They easily retain soil pollutants and heavy metals such as lead.
Hojicha tea preparation
To prepare your drink, steep the leaves for 2 to 3 minutes in water heated to 70-85°C. Use a teapot, a tea infuser ball, or a cotton tea bag.
Use about 3 grams of dried leaves per cup.
Like matcha, hojicha tea can be used to make lattes, smoothies, ice creams, and pastries. It is also available in powder form, for easier use.
Dosage
It is recommended to drink, hot or cold, 2 to 4 cups per day.
Contraindications and side effects
At recommended doses, there are no noteworthy contraindications or side effects. Excessive consumption can, however, cause diarrhea.
If you experience adverse effects, stop consuming it and consult a doctor.
Sources and scientific studies
Shinsuke Hidese, Shintaro Ogawa, Miho Ota, Ikki Ishida, Zenta Yasukawa, Makoto Ozeki, and Hiroshi Kunugi, 2019. Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Ryoyasu Saijo, Yoshiyuki Takeda, 1999. HPLC Analysis of Catechins in Various Kinds of Green Teas Produced in Japan and Abroad.
D Sato, 1999. Inhibition of urinary bladder tumors induced by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine in rats by green tea
