MMU05, organic matcha blend. Currently this product is still waiting to be certified by the JAS/JONA, USDA, and EU. However, if you know anything about organic certification in Japan it is no simple task. It is appreciated though; that is the extra effort put in to get the certification and that which makes it so. Being that it is only in the prototype stage still I can’t guarantee that my review will be the same as anyone after me but if it’s anything like the original three blends I know each batch will be amazing. Upon opening the bag the aroma is reminiscent of MMU03, chocolaty and smooth. It is easy to sift and incorporate with ones desired liquid. Thus far I have tried almond milk and regular water. Both have turned out wonderful. It has an umami and sweetness like MMU03 but the grassy tones are a bit stronger. Luckily for those of you who aren’t interested in grassy tones they do dissolve nicely when mixed for a latte.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha
Where to Buy: Material Matcha Uji
Description:
MMU05 is Material Matcha’s first ever try at Organic Matcha: we selected leaves from strictly organic batches of land and tried to achieve flavor as good as our conventional blends!
(Note: This prototype is currently pending official JAS/JONA Organic certification, to be followed by USDA Organic & EU Organic certifications)
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MMU04 / Material Matcha Uji
Culinary matcha. Generally these two words elicit thoughts of low grade matcha with shades closer to olives and bitter in flavor. That is not the case with MMU04. While the color doesn’t stand out quite as much as the other MMU varieties it is still shades better than many other culinary matcha. Nay I would say it even looks more delightful than some premium matchas. The aroma isn’t on the same level as the others either, no surprise there. It is a bit grassy and comes off your nose quicker. The same with the taste. It doesn’t really linger in your mouth and there really is not much umami but it is not bitter like other culinary matcha that I have tried. Yes it is slightly astringent on it’s own which makes it prime for lattes and cooking. To be honest I wasn’t very keen of the flavor on it’s own so I have added a bit of almond milk. Much less astringent. Somewhat grassy and slightly creamy. This one is still in the prototype stage so it’s possible it may change.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha
Where to Buy: Material Matcha Uji
Description: MMU04 is Material Matcha’s take on Culinary Matcha, ideal for Matcha Lattes & baking Cakes, Cookies, etc.
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MMU03 from Material Matcha. . . .
This is quite possibly the most beautiful matcha I’ve beheld. Makes drinking some of the other brands harder. (Kinda like turning ketchup purple). It is a green of dynamic proportions. A chocolaty aroma emanates from the bag. The soup is a dark green color that looks like it could engulf your soul. Too deep? Let us chat about the flavor. Very sweet in umami is the main descriptor. Somewhat misleading in my opinion as umami (from what I understand) is more savory? I’m no food expert though so who am I to say. Regardless, smooth and grassy. But not grassy like a green tea. It’s so good and yet so hard to explain.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha
Where to Buy: Material Matcha
Description
MMU03 is a full bodied blend of Samidori and Gokou.
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Thoughts on MMU01 / Material Matcha Uji. . . .
Once you taste matcha from Material Matcha Uji you’ll find it hard to drink any other matcha. The others are fine for smoothies and cooking leave MMU for drinking on it’s own. Anyway, MMU01, this is a weird place to start but I’m really enjoying the aftertaste. It’s sweet with a unique grassy umami. Kinda almost reminds me of the aftertaste in a ginseng oolong. It’s so good. It has a sharpness to it unlike the other two thanks to the higher intensity of grassy flavors. Still not grassy like a green tea though. Now that I’ve had all three I have to admit I’m surprised at how different, even though subtle, each can be. MMU03 is still my favorite but MMU01 is a very close second.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha
Where to Buy: Material Matcha
Description:
A sharp blend of Okumidori, Zairai, Samidori and Yabukita.
Sharpness is what characterizes MMU01 immediately, an intense blend of green tea varieties: we complemented native Uji “Zairai” leaves and the balanced Yabukita variety, with the confidence of Okumidori and the class of Samidori, one of Uji’s native and most exclusive variety used for “shaded” tea.
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MMU02 from Material Matcha Uji. . . .
Characterized as balanced and round.
This is the second of three matchas produced by Material Matcha Uji. I’ve already tried MMU03 and it’s amazing how different their flavor profiles are. Both have a sweet umami (which by the way is a crazy, complex word), but MMU02 I find to be a bit more subtle.
The middle child that doesn’t really care to stand out among the other two siblings. The dry powder is a lovely green accented with a somewhat chocolaty aroma. Maybe I’m crazy but that is what I think it smells like.
It’s a balanced matcha that would pair well with a high end chocolate mousse.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha
Where to Buy: Material Matcha Uji
Description
When conceiving MMU02 we chose to go in the direction of extreme smoothness and balance: Okumidori’s roundness and moderation had to perfectly complement the depth and flamboyance of “shaded” tea favorite, Uji’s very own Samidori variety. The result is a fruity, smooth and all round balanced blend.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!