Hojicha, Japan’s roasted green tea known for its smooth aroma and low caffeine, is entering a new chapter in 2025. What was once considered a humble tea for everyday drinking is now being embraced as a multi-functional, wellness-aligned ingredient across the global food and beverage industry.
As consumer preferences shift toward natural, calming, and culturally rich ingredients, Hojicha is becoming a go-to choice for brands looking to deliver value and stand out in the market. Below, we explore the key Hojicha trends that are emerging this year — and what they mean for food-related businesses and developers.
In 2025, wellness is no longer just a trend — it’s a baseline expectation. Hojicha’s rich antioxidant profile, digestive-friendly properties, and low caffeine levels make it a standout ingredient in functional beverages and health-forward foods.
More and more brands are highlighting the calming and anti-inflammatory benefits of roasted green tea in their product messaging. As we detailed in our article, 7 Surprising Health Benefits of Hojicha: The Ultimate Guide to Japan’s Roasted Green Tea, Hojicha supports a wellness-focused lifestyle, especially for those seeking balance, clarity, and evening relaxation.
The rise of Hojicha-based drinks is accelerating. From nut milk lattes and iced teas to kombucha and smoothies, roasted green tea is now seen as a premium, comforting alternative to bolder flavors like Matcha. Its natural sweetness and subtle smokiness make it incredibly versatile.
In our recent blog post, Antioxidant-Rich Hojicha for Healthy Drinks, we showcased how brands are integrating Hojicha into drinks that are both functional and indulgent — a winning combination for today’s wellness-conscious consumers.
The culinary world continues to embrace Hojicha as more than a tea. It’s being incorporated into chocolate, gelato, sauces, baked goods, and even savory dishes — offering chefs and product developers a distinct roasted umami profile that differentiates their creations.
If you’re considering using Hojicha as an ingredient, our post 5 Benefits of Incorporating Hojicha into Your Products breaks down how it adds value in terms of flavor, functionality, and market appeal — especially when targeting consumers who appreciate authenticity and innovation.
One of Hojicha’s biggest strengths in 2025 is its story: simple, clean, and traceable. With just tea leaves and fire-roasting, it checks all the boxes for consumers seeking transparency and low-intervention ingredients.
For brands looking to stand out in crowded markets, Hojicha’s origin in Japanese tea culture and its natural production method offer built-in storytelling.
Another fascinating trend is the use of Hojicha in non-food wellness products, particularly in the bath and body care space. As the concept of food-grade beauty expands, roasted green tea is being formulated into bath powders, body care kits, and calming skincare lines.
We covered this crossover in Exploring Hojicha Baths: Integrating Roasted Green Tea into Wellness Products, which shows how food-related businesses can extend their brand beyond the kitchen and into holistic lifestyle offerings.
Hojicha is stepping into the spotlight not only as a traditional tea, but as a high-potential ingredient that reflects modern consumer values: wellness, transparency, simplicity, and global flavor inspiration.
If your business is looking to diversify its product lineup with an ingredient that’s naturally functional, culturally meaningful, and increasingly in demand, 2025 is the year to explore Hojicha seriously.
Kametani offers a wide selection of culinary-grade roasted green tea, available in both powder and leaf formats, ideal for food, beverage, and wellness applications.
Interested in sourcing high-quality Japanese Hojicha for your next innovation? Contact us — we’re happy to support your development goals with flexible bulk supply and sample options tailored to your needs.
Articles providing insights into Japanese green tea and topics related to it.
