Hojicha Affogato (Printable version)

Hot roasted hojicha meets creamy vanilla ice cream for an elegant Japanese-inspired dessert with contrasting temperatures and rich flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Ice Cream

01 - 2 large scoops vanilla ice cream, preferably premium or French vanilla

→ Tea

02 - 2 teaspoons hojicha loose leaf tea or 2 hojicha tea bags
03 - 1 cup water

→ Optional Toppings

04 - Toasted sesame seeds
05 - Crushed roasted nuts such as almonds or pecans
06 - Sweetened red bean paste

# Directions:

01 - Bring 1 cup of water to a boil, then let it cool for 1 minute. Pour over hojicha tea leaves or use tea bags in a teapot or heatproof cup. Steep for 2 to 3 minutes, then strain or remove tea bags.
02 - Place a large scoop of vanilla ice cream in each serving glass or bowl.
03 - Immediately pour half of the hot hojicha tea over each scoop of ice cream for dramatic effect.
04 - Add optional toppings if desired. Serve immediately with a spoon.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between creamy ice cream and earthy roasted tea creates a flavor moment that tastes way more sophisticated than the effort suggests.
  • It's genuinely ready in minutes, making it perfect for when you crave something special but don't have time for complicated desserts.
  • The drama of pouring hot tea over ice cream never gets old, and it honestly makes people think you're more of a dessert wizard than you are.
02 -
  • The tea temperature is everything—if it's boiling when it hits the ice cream, you'll end up with almost soup; if it's too cool, you lose that theatrical moment and the ice cream won't melt the way you want it to.
  • Premium ice cream makes a real difference here because there are only a few ingredients, so each one needs to earn its place on the spoon.
03 -
  • If you can't find hojicha, high-quality sencha green tea steeped slightly longer will give you a similar earthiness, though the flavor won't be quite as roasted and complex.
  • Chill your serving glasses in the freezer for a few minutes before serving—it keeps the ice cream from melting too quickly and makes the whole experience feel more intentional and special.
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