Hojicha Panna Cotta (Printable)

Silky custard infused with roasted Japanese hojicha tea for an elegant dessert experience.

# What You’ll Use:

→ Dairy

01 - 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
02 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ Sweetener

03 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar

→ Tea

04 - 2 tablespoons hojicha loose leaf tea or 3 hojicha tea bags

→ Setting Agent

05 - 2 teaspoons powdered gelatin
06 - 2 tablespoons cold water

→ Garnish

07 - Whipped cream
08 - Shaved chocolate or roasted nuts
09 - Edible flowers

# How-To:

01 - Sprinkle powdered gelatin over cold water in a small bowl and let sit for 5 minutes to bloom.
02 - Combine heavy cream, whole milk, and granulated sugar in a saucepan. Heat gently over medium-low heat until steaming but not boiling.
03 - Remove saucepan from heat, add hojicha tea, and steep for 7 to 8 minutes to infuse flavor.
04 - Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, gently pressing the tea leaves to extract maximum flavor.
05 - Return strained cream mixture to the saucepan and reheat gently until warm. Add bloomed gelatin and whisk until fully dissolved.
06 - Divide the mixture evenly among 4 ramekins or serving glasses and allow to cool to room temperature.
07 - Cover ramekins with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours until the panna cotta is fully set.
08 - Run a thin knife around the edges and unmold onto plates, or serve directly in glasses. Top with whipped cream, shaved chocolate, roasted nuts, or edible flowers as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's deceptively simple to make but tastes like you spent hours perfecting it in some Italian kitchen.
  • The hojicha flavor is sophisticated without being overwhelming, letting the creamy texture shine.
  • You can make it ahead and just pull it from the fridge when guests arrive, which is basically kitchen magic.
02 -
  • Gelatin amounts matter tremendously; I learned this the hard way when I tried to use less and ended up with something that jiggled like Jello at a summer barbecue.
  • Don't let the cream boil, or you risk breaking the texture and ending up with tiny grainy bits throughout; medium-low heat is truly your friend here.
  • Steeping the tea for exactly 7 to 8 minutes is key; too long and it becomes bitter, too short and you miss the depth.
03 -
  • A tiny pinch of sea salt in the cream mixture deepens the hojicha flavor without making it taste salty; trust me on this one.
  • If you're vegan or dairy-free, coconut cream and agar-agar work beautifully; just check your agar measurements as they can vary by brand.
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