Good Lifestyle

Move, matcha “There is a new“ it girl ”in town and his name is Hojicha. Matcha has existed for decades, but has taken importance in recent years thanks to celebrities concerned with health as Gwyneth Paltrow , and, of course, Starbucks. Now you cannot enter a coffee without seeing an iteration of a matcha latte or matcha lemonade on the menu.

Best life Previously, matcha can reduce inflammation, increase brain function, help weight loss and even prevent certain cancers. But now, Hojicha is all the rage - and for a good reason too. Continue to read to find out how this Japanese green tea gives Matcha a race for his money.

In relation: If you drink green tea for 2 weeks, you will notice these 5 changes, says gastroenterologist .

What is Hojicha?

Hojicha is the less known cousin of Matcha.

In Japanese culture, Hojicha is a favorite for children and the elderly because of his " soothing qualities and low acidity ", As well as its" low caffeine content ", explains Greentea Co. Japanese while being traditionally served in the form of drinks, it is also used in desserts cooked in the oven, ice cream and salty dishes.

“Hojicha is made from Bancha tea leaves, and sometimes it can come from Kukicha Twigs or sencha leaves. It is cultivated in Japan and is roasted at very high temperatures. This technique is the reason why Hojicha has a reddish brown color as well as a beautiful flavor and aroma of Umami, "explains the company.

What are the benefits for Hojicha's health?

Hojicha is notably more "soft on the intestine", Rhian Stephenson , nutritional therapist and company supplement Arth , said British Vogue . It is lower in antioxidants compared to matcha, but still offers a multitude of health benefits.

"Hojicha still contains L-Théanine, which can help alleviate the nervous system and reduce anxiety, and it is lower in caffeine, making it a more soothing means of supporting energy," said Stephenson.

Japanese green tea also has catechins and polyphenols, which have been "observed as lowering LDL cholesterol levels - often called" bad "cholesterol - and improve the function of blood vessels," said the nutritional therapist Farzanah Nasser .

Research also shows that catechins can reduce liver fat ,, Increase metabolism ,, reduce the risk of dementia and even help ward off certain cancers .

In addition, some experts consider Hojicha as a healthier alternative to coffee. "If anything, Hojicha is known to have fewer side effects than his counterparts with a higher caffeine, like coffee," said Stephenson.

Japanese Greentea Co. calls Hojicha as "a natural and detoxifying cleaning agent" because of its ability to "eliminate unwanted and even harmful radicals of the body".

In relation: 9 best weight loss teas, according to nutritionists .

How Hojicha measures matcha:

Although they are both Japanese green teas, Hojicha and Matcha are very different.

"Matcha is a Japanese green tea, like Sencha, which was in the field," said Tristan Niskanen , a barista at the tea store based on Japanese Brooklyn Cha, in an interview with Vine . "Hojicha is a Japanese green tea that has been roasted with charcoal."

Pure matcha can only be found in the form of powder, while Hojicha can be both a powder and a tea with cowardly leaves. In addition, Matcha is generally added to other drinks, such as lemonade, or made with just water (or very little milk), while Hojicha can be transformed into latte as you would express.

Their flavors are also varying. According to Niskanen, "Hojicha has a more umami and smoked flavor. It's a little softer than matcha."

Matchado is a Japanese coffee located in London, established by Hiromi Matsunobu . In a Financial time Interview, Matsunobo has expanded the differences in teas.

"Matcha and Hojicha come from the same tea plant, but they offer completely different flavor experiences," he said. "While the matcha is vibrant and grassy, ​​Hojicha has a naturally sweet and hazelnut flavor with sweet smoke and subtle caramel notes. It is a comforting and nostalgic flavor for many in Japan."

Hojicha also contains less caffeine than Matcha, making it a more attractive afternoon treat. THE Financial time Reports that Hojicha has already made his debut on the Starbucks menu in some Japanese places.

"We certainly see more interest in Hojicha, and we predict that it will be a trend in the months to come," said Alice Evans , Director of tea at Canton Tea.