If there's one hojicha drink that's been taking over café menus and social media feeds in 2025, it's this one. The combination of roasted hojicha and black sesame might sound unusual, but the two are made for each other — both toasty, both nutty, with a depth of flavor that feels genuinely satisfying rather than just sweet.
Hojicha is roasted Japanese green tea. Unlike matcha, it has a deep amber color, a warm caramel-like aroma, and almost no bitterness. Its low caffeine content makes it a drink you can have any time of day without worrying about it disrupting your sleep. The black sesame cold foam on top adds richness, a subtle umami note, and a visual contrast that makes this one of the most striking drinks you can make at home in Dubai.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp hojicha powder (Matcha Forest)
- 60 ml hot water (80–85°C)
- 150–200 ml oat milk or whole milk, chilled
- 1 tsp sweetener — honey, maple syrup, or agave
- Ice
For the black sesame cold foam:
- 2 tbsp black sesame paste (store-bought or homemade)
- 3 tbsp heavy cream or oat cream
- 1 tsp sweetener
How to make
1. Make the sesame foam. Combine the black sesame paste, cream, and sweetener in a small bowl or jar. Whisk vigorously with a handheld frother for 20–30 seconds until thick and scoopable — it should hold its shape but still pour slowly. Set aside in the fridge while you prepare the hojicha.
2. Whisk the hojicha. Sift 2 tsp of hojicha powder into a small bowl. Add 60 ml of hot water at around 80–85°C and whisk until smooth and frothy — a chasen (bamboo whisk) or handheld frother both work well. The hojicha should have a light foam on top with no visible lumps.
3. Build the drink. Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the chilled milk. Gently pour the hojicha concentrate over the back of a spoon so it floats on top of the milk in a distinct layer. You'll see the amber and white separate cleanly.
4. Add the foam. Spoon the black sesame cold foam generously on top of the hojicha layer. It will sit above the liquid and hold its shape for several minutes. Sprinkle a pinch of black sesame seeds on top if you have them — the contrast against the foam is striking.
Tip
Black sesame paste is available at most Asian supermarkets in Dubai, including Lulu Hypermarket and most Chinese grocery stores. If you can't find it, substitute with tahini for a lighter sesame flavor — the drink will be slightly paler but equally delicious. Homemade black sesame paste is straightforward: toast black sesame seeds in a dry pan, cool, then blend with a small amount of neutral oil until smooth.
Which hojicha to use
This drink works best with a quality hojicha powder rather than steeped loose leaf — the powder integrates more smoothly and produces a better foam. Our Matcha Forest hojicha powder comes from Yanoen Tea House in Uji, Kyoto, and has the deep, roasted character that makes this latte genuinely satisfying rather than flat. The natural caramel and chocolate notes in our hojicha are exactly what the black sesame brings out.
Variation
For a warmer version, skip the ice and pour the hojicha into steamed (not boiled) oat milk instead. Let the foam sit on top as-is — the heat softens the sesame cream slightly and the drink becomes more like a cosy evening cup than a refreshing afternoon one. Both versions are worth making.