Clearspring Introduces Organic Hojicha Powder Amid Rising UK Demand

Clearspring, a Japanese organic food company, has released its new organic hojicha tea powder in the United Kingdom. This product is made from gently roasted green tea leaves, which gives it a smooth, mellow taste. According to Clearspring, the roasting process also leads to a lower caffeine content, making it a soothing alternative to coffee.

Currently available on Ocado, the Organic Japanese Hojicha Powder is priced at £8.99 for 40g. Clearspring plans to expand its retail presence later this summer. The introduction of the hojicha powder comes at a time when there is a notable increase in demand for powdered Japanese teas, influenced by the popularity of matcha.

Clearspring describes hojicha as having a nutty aroma and a gentle smoky flavor, with toasty and earthy notes reminiscent of caramel and cocoa. The company also highlights the versatility of the powder, suggesting it can be used in various culinary applications such as baking into biscuits and cakes, blending into ice cream and smoothies, or simply whisking with hot water.

The trend for hojicha is growing, with hojicha lattes gaining traction in coffee shops across the UK. Last month, Jenki, a matcha chain, reported a 55% increase in iced hojicha latte sales across its six London locations from January to April compared to the previous year.

Maria Dawson, Clearspring's managing director, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, noting, "Hojicha lattes have now become incredibly popular in Japan and are even available in leading chain coffee shops." She added that hojicha powder has the potential to become globally popular, similar to matcha.

Clearspring is not the only company offering powdered hojicha tea in the UK. Other suppliers include PerfectTed and OMGTeas, indicating a competitive and growing market for this product.