Houjicha is becoming more popular at cafes around Sydney, but even so, it remains difficult to purchase looseleaf houjicha or instant houjicha powder outside of Japanese supermarkets (a rarity of themselves). So, we picked up this Muji Instant Roasted Green Tea Latte from the extensive food section at Muji in Japan.
The instant tea is a powder blend of sugar, creaming powder and ground houjicha (amongst other things).
Dissolving 14 g of the instant powder in 140 mL of water at 80°C, the tea was a translucent medium brown colour with a fragrant roasted green tea aroma. Served hot, a sweet milk tea flavour without prominent dairy notes came through before the tea notes give way to a prominent sweetness. The roasted notes of the houjicha swiftly restrain this sweetness towards the end of the body and into the finish, leaving a gentle sweetness lingering on the palate.
Overall, this is an enjoyable houjicha latte with prominent roasted notes and a smooth mouthfeel, although I prefer it a touch less sweet. The tea can be prepared cold by dissolving 14 g of the instant powder with a small amount of hot water, then adding ice and cold water. For a creamier latte, it can be prepared with steamed milk.
This Muji Instant Roasted Green Tea Latte contained 120 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Ōsaka, Japan in 2018.