Hojicha Banana Cake: A Delicious Way to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

February 14, 2023

Matcha is popular in desserts, but the soothing tea Hojicha (roasted green tea) is popular too in Japan. You might not know that Hojicha can also be used in cakes and confectioneries. Cakes made of tea are delicious and easier to make than you can imagine. It is common in Japan to combine banana and Hojicha in their recipes because of the health benefits and flavor. We will talk about the health benefits before we dive into learning the recipe. Experience Japanese tea snacking in the comfort of your home.

Health Benefits of Banana

It keeps you full fast

The fiber makes you feel full and have fewer cravings. With the combined fiber and carbohydrates with only a hundred calories in a banana, there is no need to eat more food just to be satisfied.

Healthier gut

We are often advised to eat bananas when we have stomachaches or diarrhea. Banana prevents bloating and contains prebiotic starch to nourish the gut and improve the cells in sending signals to control blood sugar and insulin levels. Normal blood sugar levels prevent diabetes and other health problems.

Helps in weight loss

The potassium content in bananas helps provide minerals to the heart, muscles, and nerves resulting in fewer cramps and more effective workout sessions. Potassium even moves nutrients into the cells and lets out toxins outside the cells. 

Improves sleep

Aside from helping to relax the muscles, Potassium and Magnesium can aid in good quality sleep since potassium reduces muscle cramps and magnesium lowers stress and anxiety. With vitamin B6, your melatonin will be enough resulting in a good night's sleep.

Packed with many nutrients with fewer calories

One banana has lots of vitamin C, B6, fiber, carbohydrates, magnesium, potassium, and other nutrients in only around 100 calories.  

Health Benefits of Hojicha

It contains a high amount of antioxidants

Catechins in Hojicha contain antioxidants that flush toxins in the body and protect cells from cancer, liver, and heart diseases. 

It helps to boost memory and energy

L-Theanine reduces anxiety and stress levels, making your mind calm and relaxed, yet it can improve memory. In addition, the small amount of caffeine in tea keeps mental alertness and can boost energy levels.

Lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol

L-Theanine lowers blood pressure and cortisol levels, which reduces stress. Good cholesterol improves the fat-burning and energy-making process, while bad cholesterol clogs the arteries. The catechins in Hojicha can lower harmful cholesterol levels by preventing cholesterol absorption within the heart, arteries, and intestines.

It keeps you full and helps in weight loss

The antioxidants and little caffeine in Hojicha boost metabolism, and great to drink a cup of it before exercise. You will feel full and hydrated with fewer calories. Best of all, you would not crave food or sugar.

The healthy and yummy Japan’s Heath Boom: Banana Juice 

Banana is a prevalent fruit worldwide, although, in Japan, banana is more popular as a dessert or diet food. Eating a banana still feels a bit empty on the stomach. Other businesses are thinking of new drinks to sell and voila! They are creating banana-based drinks and become a continuous hit in Japan. 

Starbucks Japan followed the fabulous drink trend and decided to make their two frappuccinos filled with real banana for sweet coffee flavor. These frappuccinos are: Bananana Banana Frappuccino and Choco Bananana Banana Frappuccino. Each drink has small, sweet toppings on top of the whipped cream. The Chocolate one is inspired by the chocolate banana bread and desserts.

Even the famous Kikkoman soy sauce brand is joining to offer banana soy milk drinks. The good thing is the soybeans used are non-genetically modified which is also okay to drink for hormone-sensitive drinkers.

With the popularity of bananas in Japan, many people are buying refreshments from banana juice stands. Getting the nutrients from bananas by drinking a banana juice can now be fulfilling. A combined banana and milk with many health benefits, Banana juice is a delicious to-go drink throughout the year.

Yummy recipes for everyone: Hojicha Banana Cake

Banana Juice is easy to make, but since banana milkshakes and juices are typical, we will try to make this healthy and delicious Hojicha Banana cake. With the combination of these two superpower foods, everyone will surely love this cake without regret.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cake flour
• 2.5 tsp baking powder
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ⅓ cup cane sugar
• 2 beaten eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tbsp hojicha loose leaf
• 2 bananas (½  banana for topping)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Let unsalted butter and beaten eggs sit at room temperature. Line a pan with parchment paper. → If you don't have parchment paper, use a non-stick spray or oil.
3. Pour milk into a saucepan and gently heat it. Put hojicha loose leaf right before the milk starts to boil. Cook it on medium heat for 5 min and let it cool slightly.
4. Mash 1 banana with a fork and set aside—slice the remaining banana for use as toppings.
5. Cream butter and sugar in a bowl until fluffy. Pour ⅓ of the beaten eggs into the bowl and stir until incorporated. Repeat three times.
6. Sift flour and baking powder into the bowl and mix well. 
7. Add the mashed banana and pour in hojicha milk liquid. Quickly mix all the ingredients.
8. Pour batter into the prepared pan and put the sliced bananas on top. 
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 mins. or until golden brown (ovens may vary).

Voila! A Hojicha banana cake that you can enjoy together with your favorite drink. This cake is also perfect for eating and sharing during breakfast. With wide varieties, we can eat healthy foods without sacrificing our food taste.

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Everything You Need To Know About Japanese Hojicha Tea

 

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If you have ever thought that Green Tea is an “acquired taste” or that it is “too bitter” to enjoy, we’re here to change your mind! We want everyone to experience the health benefits of Green Tea and show you that this can be an amazing, refreshing, and delicious drink when made correctly. With just a few tips on how to brew this powerful leaf we can change your mind about the taste and enjoyment of drinking Green Tea.

Don’t miss out on the health benefits of tea!

• Improve health
• Increase brain function
• Regulate weight
• Lower your risk of cancers
• Reduce risk of heart disease
• Lowers risk of diabetes

We know that you will love these tips for brewing tea and getting the most flavor and elegance out of every cup.  Sign up for the Free Japanese Green Tea Club and get this great informative manual on brewing green tea. You will learn what it is that makes it one of the most popular beverages in the world.

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