Quick answer: Ube and hojicha are two specialty powders that can draw new customers. Ube (purple yam) gives a sweet, vanilla-nutty flavor and vivid purple color that photographs beautifully, especially iced. Hojicha is roasted Japanese green tea with a toasty, caramel-like flavor and lower caffeine than many green teas. Test them as limited-time drinks, buy small quantities, check ingredients and allergens, and price like any specialty latte.
Key takeaways
- Ube: color and sweetness; great iced.
- Hojicha: toasty, low-bitterness, lower caffeine.
- Test small with a limited-time menu slot.
- Read labels: blends may contain sugar, milk or colorings.
Ube: the purple yam
Ube is a purple yam long used in Filipino desserts like ube halaya and ice cream. In drinks, it usually comes as:
- Ube powder (sometimes pure yam, often sweetened blends)
- Ube extract or flavoring (concentrated, often with color)
- Ube paste or jam (rich, sweet, textured)
Flavor: sweet, nutty, with vanilla and coconut-like notes. Its color is the star.
Recipe framework (16 oz iced): - 1–2 tbsp ube powder or ½–1 oz ube syrup or paste (per supplier) - 1–2 pumps vanilla or condensed milk for sweetness (if unsweetened) - 8–10 oz cold milk (oat and coconut milk are popular) - Ice - Optional: a shot of espresso layered on top for a "dirty" version
Tips: whisk powder into a little warm milk first to avoid clumps. Layer milk and ube for a photo-ready look.
Hojicha: roasted green tea
Hojicha is a Japanese green tea roasted at high heat, typically from bancha leaves. It originated in Kyoto in 1920, and roasting turns the leaves reddish-brown, creating nutty, toasty, caramel-like flavors with little bitterness. Roasting also lowers caffeine, which makes hojicha a good afternoon or evening option.
Recipe framework (12 oz hot): - 1–2 tsp hojicha powder - 1–2 oz hot water (around 175–195°F) to whisk smooth - 8–10 oz steamed milk - Optional: honey, brown sugar or vanilla
Like matcha, hojicha powders vary widely in quality, and grades like "ceremonial" aren't official classifications. Ikkyu Tea notes this for matcha, and the same caution applies: taste before you buy. See our matcha guide.
Other powders worth testing
| Powder | Flavor | Best as |
|---|---|---|
| Black sesame | Nutty, toasty | Latte, hot or iced |
| Taro | Sweet, nutty, purple-gray | Iced latte |
| Turmeric / golden milk | Warm spice | Hot latte; see our turmeric latte guide |
| Beetroot | Earthy, sweet, bright pink | Seasonal latte |
| Butterfly pea | Mild, color-changing blue | Iced drinks, lemonades |
Allergens and labels
Some blends contain milk powder, coconut, sesame or sweeteners. Sesame, milk and tree nuts (including coconut) are among the nine major food allergens. Read every label and train staff to answer questions.
Costing and pricing
Illustrative 16 oz iced ube oat latte: ube powder ($0.60) + oat milk ($0.65) + sweetener ($0.10) + cup, lid, straw ($0.22) ≈ $1.57. At $6.25, that's about 25% beverage cost. Use our cost per drink guide with your real numbers.
Sourcing tips
Ask suppliers for an ingredient list, a sample and the shelf life after opening. For ube, check whether color comes from the yam itself or added coloring, and whether the product is pre-sweetened. For hojicha, ask about the base leaf and roast level, since flavor varies a lot between producers.
Testing without overstocking
- Buy the smallest practical package.
- Run a four- to six-week limited-time offer.
- Track weekly sales and repeat orders.
- Ask customers what they think.
- Keep it if it sells after the novelty wears off; otherwise rotate in something new.
Merchandising new drinks
Specialty powders sell on curiosity, so help customers say yes:
- Show it: a photo on the menu board or a sample cup at the register
- Describe it simply: "sweet, nutty purple yam latte" or "toasty roasted green tea latte"
- Offer tastes during slow hours in small sample cups
- Post it on social with the color front and center
- Train baristas to recommend it to customers who order vanilla lattes or chai
Storage
Store powders sealed, cool, dry and away from light. Many natural colors fade with light and humidity. Date containers when opened.
Show off the color
Purple and toasty brown look best in clear cups or crisp white branded cups. Affogato Bean prints both with design help included. See products or request samples.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ube latte?
An ube latte is made with ube (purple yam) flavoring, powder or paste mixed with milk, served hot or iced. It's sweet, nutty and vanilla-like, with a striking purple color. Some versions add espresso.
What is hojicha?
Hojicha is a Japanese green tea roasted at high heat, giving it a reddish-brown color and a nutty, toasty, caramel-like flavor with little bitterness. Roasting lowers its caffeine content.
How should cafés test new specialty powders?
Run a limited-time special, buy the smallest practical package, track sales weekly and survey customers. Keep the drink if it sells steadily after the novelty fades.
Sources
- Wikipedia, “Hōjicha.”
- Ikkyu Tea, “Ceremonial vs. Culinary Matcha: Why 'Ceremonial Grade' Isn't a Japanese Classification.”
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “FASTER Act: Sesame Is the Ninth Major Food Allergen.”
Sources checked October 2026. Statistics are reported as published by each source.