A good matcha can really start your day off right. But matcha is something that has to be done just right with the right amount of finesse. I have overscooped and under scooped so many times when I’m trying to make matcha or a matcha latte. But Buddha Teas as created the coolest product to avoid any mess or figuring out how much matcha you need.
Their new Matcha Now bottles are a convenient water bottle with matcha in the lid. Once you are ready to enjoy, all you do is twist off the top and shake. The matcha is then released into the water bottle and you have yourself the perfect and easy way to enjoy matcha conveniently and really effortlessly. Buddha Teas offers this awesome product in two different flavors-Pure and Sweet. I picked the pure one.
So one day at work, I had myself a craving for matcha. I grabbed my Matcha Now bottle, twisted the lid, and shook the bottle. Took my first sip and I was instantly in love with how easy this product is to use. A wonderful way to enjoy your matcha whenever you go. The matcha turned out perfectly-vegetal and smooth-just the way I like it. I even added a touch of honey in one of the bottles to add a touch of sweetness.
Such a great way to enjoy your matcha! I’m enthralled with this product!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type:Matcha
Where to Buy: Buddha Teas
Description
Matcha NOW™ offers you fresh, pure matcha whenever you want it. Our premium organic matcha is stored dry in the cap. With a twist of the cap, the matcha powder drops into water for a fresh matcha drink – anytime.
Available in two options:
“100% Pure” is pure matcha green tea with nothing added.
“Lightly Sweet” is fresh matcha perfectly accented with 1.6 grams of organic sugar.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Organic Oolong Tea from Buddha Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Buddha Teas
Tea Description:
Over the years, many different varieties of oolong tea have been produced, each with their own style and flavor, however traditional oolong tea remains the most popular among these.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Oolong has historically been my nemesis, although I have to say at this point that I’ve only ever tried loose leaf oolong with one exception (Teapigs Tung Ting Oolong, which is pyramid bagged). This oolong is also bagged, and in fairly small, square paper affairs that really don’t look like they’ll provide much room for leaf expansion. Even dry, the leaf fills up at least half of the space in the bag. One cute touch is that each paper tag has a different phrase – my current bag declares “love is ecstacy”, and my second “appreciate yourself and honor your soul”. Something to muse upon as you wait for your tea to brew? I added the bag to a cup of water cooled to around 180 degrees, and gave it 2.5 minutes. The resulting liquor is a medium golden brown.
Once wet, it’s clear that the leaf is shredded quite finely, and it becomes waterlogged and soggy quickly. The leaf expands to fill the bag, but not as much as I thought it might. I guess the fine shred means that there are no large leaves to really unfurl. Looking at the leaf, this would appear to be a dark or roasted oolong. It has the signature scent that’s often one of the things I like least about oolong – metallic and a little sweet.
To taste, I’m more impressed that I expected I would be. I’m not the world’s biggest Oolong fan, so when I find one that’s palatable and enjoyable to drink, a bit of a celebration ensues. This Oolong is initially very nutty, in the way of pecans or maybe walnuts. There’s a slightly bitter tang that I associate with walnuts especially, which only reinforces the comparison for me. The mid-sip contains a little of the metallic flavour I so dislike, but it’s not over-strong and I’m finding I can ignore it without too much trouble. There’s a note of slightly burnt toast as well, which puts me in mind of autumn and open fires. It’s a fitting flavour profile for this time of year! The aftertaste is smooth and a little sweet, with an almost honeyed texture. It’s a pleasant, flavourful cup, reminiscent of a Formosa Oolong. I’m not sure which variety it actually is as the packaging gives very little away, but that’s where I would peg it.
I enjoyed this cup, which seems a strange thing for me to say given my history with Oolong in general. The nutty, toasted notes pair well together and are very complementary, which probably has a lot to do with it. I’d drink this one again, and I’d happily recommend it either to those who are just beginning to explore oolong (as an accessible entry tea), and to Oolong-phobes who are looking to be proved wrong. It’s made me reevaluate my feelings about dark and roasted Oolongs, in any case!
