Endurance Drink Mix · 51 g per pack
Endurance Drink Mix Hojicha
The toasty, lightly smoky warmth of roasted green tea — made from real Hojicha powder, with no artificial flavors. The mildest-sodium option in the VFuel Drink Mix lineup, designed for athletes who want fuel without the strong mineral edge.†
Flavor: Viewing Hojicha
Each flavor has its own product page with full ingredient details.
Roasted Green Tea
Why VFuel Drink Mix
Hydration and fuel. One packet.
200 kcal per Pack
Each pack delivers 200 calories of dextrose-based carbohydrate energy — the highest calorie count in the VFuel Drink Mix lineup — dissolved into a drinkable format that's easy to consume continuously during activity.†
Real Hojicha Powder
Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea) Powder at 4.61% w/w provides the characteristic toasty, lightly smoky flavor. No artificial flavoring is used — this is the only VFuel Drink Mix flavor with zero added flavor compounds.
Moderate Sodium Profile
At 280 mg of sodium per pack, Hojicha is the mildest-sodium option in the lineup. A good starting point for athletes new to the VFuel Drink Mix range, or those preferring a less mineral-forward drink during lower-intensity efforts.
Caffeine-Free
Despite the roasted tea base, VFuel Hojicha Drink Mix contains no caffeine. The hojicha flavor is derived from the powder's naturally roasted character, not from caffeine content. All VFuel Drink Mix flavors are caffeine-free.
No Fructose, No Artificial Flavors
Dextrose is the sole carbohydrate source. No added fructose, no artificial flavoring compounds. The cleanest formula in the VFuel Drink Mix lineup — what you taste is the hojicha powder itself.
Amino Acid Complex†
L-Citrulline, L-Ornithine, and Taurine are included alongside the electrolyte and carbohydrate base, consistent with the full VFuel endurance formula approach.
Sodium per pack — how Hojicha compares
Usage Guide
When to reach for Hojicha.
Morning Training & Cooler Conditions
The warm, roasty character of hojicha suits early morning efforts and cooler weather particularly well — a familiar, calming flavor at times when fruit-forward or sweet drinks feel out of place.
Long Runs & Trail
The earthy, non-sweet profile holds up well across extended efforts. Athletes who experience sweet fatigue later in a run often find Hojicha easier to continue drinking than fruit-based flavors.
Flavor Rotation in Long Events
Rotate with Ginger Twist or Raspberry Lemonade across a long race. Hojicha's lower sodium and distinct flavor profile provide a meaningful contrast that can help sustain intake motivation.
Cycling & Moderate Efforts
For efforts where sodium demand is moderate, Hojicha's 280 mg per pack provides electrolyte support without the strong mineral edge of the higher-sodium flavors.
Preparation & Timing
Hojicha dissolves cleanly in both cold and room-temperature water. The flavor is slightly more pronounced at room temperature, which suits cooler conditions particularly well.
Transparency
Everything in the pack, and why.
Hojicha is the most minimal formula in the VFuel Drink Mix lineup — no artificial flavors, no citric acid, no fruit juice. The characteristic roasted tea profile comes entirely from Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea) Powder at 4.61% w/w, manufactured in Japan. Dextrose at 89.49% w/w is the primary carbohydrate source.
Full Ingredient Statement (FDA Order)
Dextrose, Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea) Powder, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium Bicarbonate, Salt (Sodium Chloride), L-Taurine, Sodium Citrate, L-Ornithine Hydrochloride, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, L-Citrulline.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
1 serving per container
Serving size 1 packet (51g)
What's not in the pack.
No Fructose
Dextrose is the sole carbohydrate source. No high-fructose corn syrup, no added fruit sugar, no fruit juice concentrates. Hojicha is the cleanest fructose profile in the VFuel Drink Mix lineup.
No Artificial Flavors
Hojicha is the only VFuel Drink Mix flavor that uses no artificial or natural flavor compounds. The flavor comes entirely from Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea) Powder — what you taste is the ingredient itself.
No Caffeine
VFuel Drink Mix is caffeine-free across all three flavors. Despite the roasted tea base, no caffeine is added or meaningfully present at this inclusion level.
No Artificial Sweeteners
Sweetness comes from dextrose only — not aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame-K, or stevia.
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Manufactured in Japan. Distributed by Stride Co., Ltd.
FAQ
Common questions.
Hojicha is a Japanese roasted green tea made by firing green tea leaves at high temperature. The roasting process converts the grassy, vegetal notes of standard green tea into a warm, toasty, lightly smoky flavor with lower bitterness. Dissolved in water, VFuel Hojicha Drink Mix produces a mild, earthy drink that is notably less sweet-forward than fruit-based sports drinks — making it particularly approachable for athletes who prefer savory or neutral flavors during long efforts.
No. VFuel Hojicha Drink Mix is caffeine-free. While hojicha tea in a typical serving does contain a small amount of caffeine, the inclusion level of Hojicha Powder in this formula (4.61% of a 51g pack) is not sufficient to contribute a meaningful caffeine dose. All three VFuel Drink Mix flavors are formulated without caffeine.
The label recommends 20–26 oz (600–750 ml) per packet. Hojicha's flavor is mild and blends cleanly at any dilution — start at 24 oz and adjust to taste. The earthy hojicha character is slightly more pronounced at lower dilution, which many athletes find pleasant. Unlike the more intensely flavored options, Hojicha is forgiving across a wide range of water volumes.
Yes — the drink mix and gels are designed to work together. The drink mix provides continuous carbohydrate and electrolyte intake through hydration; adding a gel every 45–60 minutes brings additional calories and the amino acid complex. Combined, they can help you approach the 60–90g/hr carbohydrate intake range studied for events over 2 hours. Both use dextrose-based carbohydrate sources, so they stack without fructose concerns.
All three VFuel drink mix flavors share the same dextrose-based carbohydrate and amino acid formula. Hojicha stands out in three ways: it has the lowest sodium level (280 mg), the highest calorie count (200 kcal), and is the only flavor with no added flavor compounds — the taste comes entirely from the hojicha powder itself. It is the most understated and least sweet-forward of the three, making it a natural choice for athletes who prefer neutral or savory flavors.
Yes. Mix in your bottle before your activity and refrigerate if preparing more than 30 minutes ahead. Once mixed, consume within 24 hours. Hojicha dissolves well in both cold and room-temperature water — the earthy flavor holds up well over time without becoming bitter or off-tasting.
