Roasted green tea leaves – hojicha powder in bulk, wholesale and private label

Hojicha powder in bulk: roasted green tea for cafés, food producers and private label

Short answer: hojicha is green tea (Camellia sinensis) whose leaves are roasted after drying, which gives a reddish-brown colour and a toasty, mild taste. GOA Supply supplies organic hojicha powder in bulk in 10, 50 and 100 kg, for cafés, bakeries, ice cream makers, tea brands and private label. Caffeine is naturally present; the content of the current batch is available on request.

What is hojicha powder?

Hojicha is made from green tea leaves that are dried and then roasted. Roasting changes the colour of the leaf from green to reddish-brown and gives the tea its toasty flavour. For hojicha powder, the roasted leaves are ground into a fine powder, so, like matcha, the whole leaf ends up in the drink or recipe. That makes the powder easy to use in lattes, iced drinks, doughs, creams and ice cream bases without brewing and straining.

For buyers, hojicha sits next to matcha: both are ground green tea, but they differ in processing, colour and taste. Many cafés and tea brands offer both.

Hojicha powder vs matcha powder at GOA Supply

Organic hojicha powder Organic matcha, classic grade
Raw material Green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis), roasted after drying Shade-grown green tea leaves
Form Fine powder Finely ground powder
Colour and taste Reddish-brown; toasty and mild Bright green; fresh and slightly sweet
Typical business use Hojicha lattes and iced drinks, cakes, biscuits, desserts, ice cream, tea brands Matcha lattes, smoothies, baking, food production
Characteristics Organic, vegan; caffeine content on request Organic, vegan, no additives
Order quantities 10, 50 or 100 kg 10, 50 or 100 kg
HS code (product page) 090220 090220

All our tea powders are listed in the matcha and green tea collection, so you can combine hojicha with one of our three matcha grades in one quote.

What to check when you buy hojicha in bulk

  • Colour and roast. The roast determines colour and flavour. Compare samples side by side, in daylight and in your own recipe, and keep a reference sample of the batch you approve.
  • Fineness. For lattes and doughs, a fine, even powder mixes more easily. Ask how the supplier describes the fineness on the specification.
  • Caffeine content. Hojicha naturally contains caffeine. Ask for the content of the batch if your product label or your customers need it.
  • Documents. Ask for the specification, the certificate of analysis (CoA) for the batch and the organic certificate. Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets a maximum level for pyrrolizidine alkaloids of 150 µg/kg in dried tea, and Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 sets maximum residue levels for pesticides, so check which parameters the CoA covers.
  • Packaging and storage. Store the powder closed, cool, dry and away from light, and reseal opened bags well so the powder does not take up moisture or odours.

EU rules for hojicha

Hojicha is tea from Camellia sinensis leaf. The French ingredient database Compl'Alim lists the leaf of Camellia sinensis as authorised and not as a novel food. Sold as tea, hojicha follows the general food labelling rules of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. Two points are specific to tea:

  • Nutrition declaration: under Annex V of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, tea without added ingredients other than flavourings that do not change its nutritional value is exempt from the mandatory nutrition declaration. A hojicha latte mix with sugar or milk powder is not.
  • Caffeine in drinks: Annex III of the same regulation requires the statement "High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women" for beverages with more than 150 mg/l caffeine, but exempts beverages based on tea where the name of the food includes the word "tea". Check this when you develop a ready-to-drink product.

If you sell hojicha as organic, your packing step needs organic certification and your label needs the EU organic logo, the code number of your control body and the place-of-farming indication. Our article on private label matcha explains these labelling points in more detail; they apply to hojicha in the same way.

Private label hojicha

For private label, we supply hojicha powder in bulk for your own packaging and labelling. Typical private label products are a hojicha powder for home lattes, a café blend in larger packs or an ingredient line for bakeries. As the brand owner, you are responsible for the label, any claims (health claims only if authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006) and, if relevant, the organic certification of your packing step. If you sell hojicha as a food supplement, for example in capsules, the national notification rules for food supplements apply. See our private label page for how to start.

Ordering hojicha powder in bulk

  • Standard quantities: 10, 50 or 100 kg; smaller quantities on request.
  • Orders are usually shipped within 1–2 weeks, depending on stock.
  • Prices exclude shipping, and we can arrange transport.
  • Specification, CoA, organic certificate and caffeine content on request.

FAQ

What is the difference between hojicha and matcha?
Both are ground green tea. Hojicha leaves are roasted after drying, which gives a reddish-brown powder with a toasty, mild taste. Matcha is made from shade-grown leaves and is bright green with a fresh taste.

Does hojicha contain caffeine?
Yes. As a tea, hojicha naturally contains caffeine. We provide the caffeine content of the current batch on request.

Does a hojicha drink need a caffeine statement on the label?
Beverages with more than 150 mg/l caffeine need the "high caffeine content" statement, but tea-based beverages whose name includes the word "tea" are exempt. Check the composition and name of your drink against Annex III of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011.

Can I sell your hojicha as organic under my own brand?
Yes, if your own packing and labelling step is covered by organic certification. Ask your control body which certification you need.

Sources

Written by Florian Fermin, co-owner of GOA Supply.

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