There is (was?) a restaurant in Toronto called Fring’s. It is a joint effort between the rapper, Drake, and the celebrity chef, Susur Lee. This restaurant has been plagued with all sorts of drama but of course, given the owners, it is still popular and still crazy expensive. And by crazy expensive, I mean that one drink is $18 plus tax. Nonetheless, that price tag didn’t stop me from trying their tangerine mojito last time I was there and it is that tangerine mojito that inspired my drink today.
My preferred way of drinking matcha is to drink flavored matcha mixed into a glass of cold milk. This works well with flavors like Berries & Cream, Mocha, or even Caramel Popcorn (trust me on this last one…it. is. good.). However, mint milk just sounds bad to me so I wanted to find another drink to mix with my mint matcha. That is when I remembered the tangerine mojito and the delightful combination of tangerine and mint and all of a sudden the tangerine lemonade in the fridge was calling to me.
I used a half teaspoon of 3 Leaf’s Mint Matcha in 8 ounces of Tropicana’s Tangerine Lemonade. One thing I noticed about this matcha is that it gets rather clumpy and thus makes it difficult to mix in to whatever beverage it is being added to, at least when being added to a cold beverage. Just something to keep in mind.
Given the lack of success I had tasting the matcha through the tangerine lemonade, I decided to try a heaping half teaspoon (and I mean HEAPING) in 8 ounce of water. Unfortunately, this isn’t much more successful because it basically tastes like I am drinking fresh lawn clippings. There is a slight mint to this cup but more than anything it is grass.
All in all, I don’t think this one is for me but it was an interesting introduction from my SipsBy box. I don’t usually drink unflavored matchas and though this is meant to be minty, it doesn’t taste very flavored to me. I have tried other mint matchas that had a lot more mint flavor and a lot less green tea base and those are the ones I will stick to. With that said, for those looking for a more pure matcha flavor, without the sugars and flavoring, this might be one to try.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha
Where to Buy: 3 Leaf
Description
Crisp, Invigorating, Fresh
We took our premium grade matcha and infused it with crisp, fresh mint. Perfect for drinking hot or iced.
INGREDIENTS:
Premium grade matcha infused with natural mint flavor.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lemonade Matcha from 3 Leaf Tea. . .
Today was one of those days that screamed- You need to drink Matcha. With the weather turning to winter and the days a bit more gloomy, I wanted a tea that would brighten up my mood, taste buds, and just overall provide a bit of sunshine into my day. That’s when I grabbed my sample of Lemonade Matcha from 3 Leaf Tea.
3 Leaf Tea specializes in amazing flavored Matcha blends and hot chocolate flavors. Flavors like Banana Hot Chocolate, Mint Matcha, and Pumpkin Spice Matcha just to name a few. Even though Lemonade Matcha cries for being made into an Iced Matcha Latte, I wanted something warm.
Brewed my water up to 175F, added a few scoops into the my mug, poured the water in and began whisking away. The matcha whisked beautifully. Pretty soon I was greeted with this gorgeous matcha beverage that craved a latte topping. I poured a bit of cream into my frother and when it was all set, I poured a generous amount on top of my matcha, creating a lovely Lemonade Matcha Latte.
As weird as a warm Lemonade Matcha Latte sounds, this concoction absolutely works. The matcha is lovely flavored, not too much but just enough that the lemonade flavor comes through. Bright pops of lemon and this vegetal sweet yet slightly bitter flavor mix perfectly with the cream frothed topping. A touch tart but with the cream, you almost get this lemon meringue style note. This latte is definitely telling me to grab a book, a blanket, and settle in for some much need me time.
Flavored matchas for me are very hit or miss. Sometimes the flavors are just too overwhelming for the matcha itself- not allowing the beautiful flavors that matcha naturally provides. They also have a tendency to be very artificially tasting. That isn’t the case at all with this particular flavored matcha. The flavors taste like they belong together. I never would have thought about adding lemon or even lemon juice into my matchas but I might just have to start. . .or I’ll just have to go the easy way and pick up more of this Lemonade Matcha.
This experience reminds me of how much I do love flavored matcha and need to put in an order to pick up some of 3 Leaf Tea’s Pumpkin Spice Matcha before its gone, along with a few other flavor offerings. Maybe even a few hot chocolate blends too. I can’t imagine a better way to bring in the winter weather!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha
Where to Buy: 3 Leaf Tea
Description
Bright, Tart, Fresh
All of the flavor of freshly squeezed lemonade without the added sugar. Bright and refreshing, a perfect treat.
INGREDIENTS:
Premium grade matcha infused with natural lemonade flavor
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Coconut Matcha from 3 Leaf Tea #VeganMoFo2016
I figured Coconut Matcha from 3 Leaf Tea was not only due for a review here at Sororitea Sisters but it would make a great tie-in for today’s Vegan MoFo Prompt which is “Late Night Snack”. I maybe a little different than most but I really LOVE a good, flavored matcha in the evening or even late at night. Although – I never think it’s a BAD time for a good matcha!
For a late night snack one evening I had some of this matcha and it was glorious! Coconut Matcha from 3 Leaf Tea is SO very creamy, SO very sweet, and SO very tasty! It’s the closest I have tasted to natural, shredded coconut in liquid form. I’m pretty sure I haven’t tasted a coconut matcha that I like better than this one from 3 Leaf Tea.
Below you can see some drink ideas using Coconut Matcha from 3 Leaf Tea but I enjoy it straight-up with hot water. Eventho I think this is great anytime of day I think this makes a great late night snack since it’s creamy, comforting, sweet, and dessert-like.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha (Green Tea Base)
Where to Buy: 3 Leaf Tea
Description:
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Traditionally, a bamboo whisk, also called a chasen, is the preferred tool to whisk matcha. A chawan, or matcha bowl is also used. If those items are not available, a small metal whisk and a wide bowl or mug to accommodate room for whisking can be used.
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Water temperature is important for the matcha to maintain it’s sweet flavor and avoid turning bitter. Water temperatures below 170° F are recommended.
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Matcha is stored best in an airtight, light proof container. To maintain maximum freshness, store in refrigerator.
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Sifting matcha through a fine mesh strainer before use helps remove clumps and creates a smoother consistency.
Ingredients: Matcha, natural flavor
Vegan, Gluten Free
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Coconut Matcha from 3 Leaf
I am a fan of Matcha. I love the earthy, green flavor, and I love that it’s also very good for you. This coconut matcha is for people who find the taste of matcha a little too grassy. As soon as I smelled it, I could smell the faint scent of coconut, and I knew this was going to be good.
I tried it first alone, and what I noticed right away is that it frothed up like a latte as I was adding the hot, not boiling water. I don’t have one of those whisks that I’ve seen used when making matcha, so I just stirred with a spoon as I was adding the water, and it was frothy with no clumping. I’ve had clumping issues in the past, and it isn’t pleasant. The smell is so inviting too. Just a subtle coconut-y fragrance to compliment the matcha. The taste is like the best matcha with a rich buttery hint of coconut. It’s like the coconut flavor adds a richness to this tea.
I had this a second way, in the form of a matcha latte. I made my tea, added some coconut milk and gave it a quick whiz in the blender to really make it extra frothy. This was seriously a treat. Creamy, coconut-y goodness.
The coconut flavor is subtle, but it’s there. It cuts a lot of the grassiness of the matcha. This is hands down the best matcha I’ve tried. And the fact that there are no clumps, even when you don’t have a whisk makes it even more amazing!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green/Matcha
Where to Buy: 3 Leaf
Description
Get a taste of the tropics with our all natural coconut flavored matcha. One sip and you’ll see why this is our number one seller. Smooth and creamy with a well balanced coconut taste.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Peach Matcha from 3 Leaf Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Matcha
Where to Buy: 3 Leaf Tea
Tea Description:
With it’s fruity aroma and juicy taste, you won’t want to put this peach matcha down! Crisp and light the peach flavor mingles with the vibrant green taste of matcha.Preparation & Recipes:Hot Latte: Whisk 1 tsp of matcha with 1 tsp of sugar in 2 oz of hot (170°F) water. Add 6 oz of hot milk and stir.Iced Latte: Whisk 1 tsp of matcha with 1 tsp of sugar in 2 oz of hot (170°F) water. Add 6 oz of cold milk and stir. Pour over ice.Traditional: Whisk 1/4-1/2 tsp of matcha in 6 oz of (170°F) water.Smoothie: Add 1 tsp matcha, 1 banana, 1 cup milk, handful of ice, and 1 tsp sugar or honey into blender. Blend until smooth.Orange Juice: Add 1/2 tsp of sifted matcha to 1 cup of orange juice in a shaker bottle. Shake well until matcha is fully blended.Food: Sprinkle matcha on top of yogurt, cottage cheese, granola or add it into a recipe (check out our recipe page for ideas!)Tips:
Ingredients: Matcha, natural flavors
Vegan, Gluten Free
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Today I would like to talk/write about this Peach Matcha from 3 Leaf Tea. Peach Matcha from 3 Leaf Tea seems to give me the yin and the yang that I am craving in a flavored matcha! Let me explain…
Upon opening this sample packet of Peach Matcha from 3 Leaf Tea I was smacked in the face with intense peach aroma. I LOVED the scent of this Peach Matcha! It made me wonder if it was going to be ALL Peach and NO Matcha when it came to flavor. Let me tell you that was NOT the case. Once I whisked my hot matcha up in my cup I took my first sip and what I found was MAJOR defined and STRONG green matcha flavor with an underlying peach flavor! This strong matcha base is not for wimps! It’s of the stronger matchas I have sipped on that is for sure!
The peach certainly takes over the aroma but not the taste! I put these findings in the PRO category of my opinion here! This is a fantastic cup of matcha!
As a test I did find the less you use of the matcha mix the more you pick up on the peach especially once the water temperature cools naturally at room temperature. So…moral of the story…if you want to start with a little less and work your way up…I think that would be ok for those who might not like a strong matcha taste. Lucky for me – I do!