What is Hojicha ice cream?
Now that we've shown you how to make hojicha ice cream, let's talk a bit about what makes it so special.
What is Hojicha?
Hojicha is a type of Japanese green tea. It's know as a roasted tea, giving it a unique nutty and toasty flavor.
The roasting process reduces the hojicha's caffeine content, making it a popular choice for drinking in the evening.
Hojicha is usually made from the older leaves and stems of the tea plant, which makes it quite inexpensive.
For this hojicha ice cream recipe, we are going to be using hojicha powder, which is essentially made by grinding up hojicha tea leaves very finely.
Once the hojicha is in a powdered form, the possibilities are endless! You can mix it into hojicha lattes, desserts and even use it as a topping for cakes. For this recipe, we are going to be blending it into ice cream!
The flavor pairing of Hojicha Ice Cream
Hojicha ice cream offers the unique and complex hojicha flavor profile that is not commonly found in traditional ice creams. The nutty and toasty notes of the hojicha tea perfectly balance the sweetness of the ice cream, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
Additionally, the low caffeine content of hojicha ice cream makes it a great choice for those who are looking for a dessert option that won't keep them awake at night. The combination of a familiar dessert with an exotic flavor like hojicha makes hojicha ice cream an exciting and memorable treat to explore!
Tips to make a better Hojicha Ice Cream
In addition to following all the instructions for hojicha ice cream, there are also a few tips you can use to make it even better! Here are some of our favorites:
How to make Hojicha ice cream creamier
- Use heavy cream for a richer and creamier texture.
- Use a higher ratio of egg yolks to create a custard-like base.
- Chill the mixture thoroughly before churning to prevent ice crystals from forming.
- Churn the ice cream for a longer time to incorporate more air and create a smoother texture.
How to Make Vegan Hojicha Ice Cream
- For heavy cream, you can substitute with full-fat coconut milk
- For whole milk, you can substitute with almond milk or oat milk.
- For egg yolks, you can substitute with 1/2 cup of cornstarch or 2 tablespoons of agar agar.
Final Thoughts on Hojicha Ice Cream
With all the attention that matcha ice cream gets, it’s a surprise more people aren’t talking about hojicha ice cream. Keen to learn more about the constant battle between matcha vs hojicha? We've got you covered! Make sure to read the article 👉 Hojicha vs Matcha Differences Explained by a Tea Expert
The warmer and darker flavors of the hojicha make for the perfect compliment to the ice cream, to make a delicious dessert that's great year round, but particularly in the summertime!
