This is the Strawberry Hōjicha Latte ($12.90) from Matcha-ya, featuring strawberry sauce topped with milk and hōjicha whisked to order.

The beverage presented with deep red strawberry compote marbling through touches of white from the milk and ice before transitioning into the khaki-brown hōjicha layer. The distinct layers provided strong visual contrast prior to stirring.

Stirred to incorporate the strawberry into the hōjicha, initial contact delivered both elements in equal measure, with the strawberry contributing an intense sweet-tart profile reminiscent of cooked strawberries. The milk provided a smooth, creamy body that softened the fruit’s acidity. Through the mid-palate, the hōjicha latte developed its rich roasted character, counterbalancing the strawberry’s sweetness with notes of toasted grains and gentle smoky nuttiness. The creamy milk base integrated both flavour components into a cohesive structure without either dominating the palate. Towards the finish, the roasted hōjicha lingered slightly longer, while intermittent bursts of bright strawberry sweetness lifted the darker, nutty notes. The pairing remained well balanced, with the fruit adding freshness to what could otherwise have been an overly rich roasted profile.

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Overall, a layered latte with a converging flavour trajectory and cohesive texture integration, resulting in a well-balanced interplay between sweet fruit and roasted hōjicha.

This Strawberry Hōjicha Latte was purchased from Matcha-ya in Sydney, Australia in July 2026.