Bird & Blend Tea Co’s Black Magic Matcha is a mix of activated charcoal, cocoa, and matcha. It is a mess! Seriously!
My hands? Black.
My counter? Black.
My frother? Black.
Black EV.ERY.WHERE! Just covered! But it is worth it because this is one tasty matcha. Plus, the mess is easy to wipe away with a damp cloth, so no harm done.
Sipping away at this matcha mixed in milk is like sipping on a low-cal glass of black chocolate milk. It is eerie but delicious and perfect for spooky season. No chalkiness. Just smooth, chocolate milk goodness, which is particularly surprising since the powder has definitely separated out a bit (both settling on top and at the bottom of the glass) while I have been drinking. This seems to be the case with most Bird & Blend matchas though so don’t be surprised when the powder settles.
I should note that this matcha does come with a warning (from Bird & Blend’s site): “Activated charcoal can interfere with medication. We recommend that you wait at least 3 hours after taking medication before consuming the matcha. This also applies to the contraceptive pill.” So while I definitely recommend this matcha, I do hope people consider the warning to ensure no mishaps occur as a result. Weird thing to have to say about a tea, I suppose, but better safe than sorry.
Also, if you are interested in giving this a try, I highly recommend picking up the Rainbow Matcha Collection which provides samples of five of Bird & Blend’s many matcha offerings (Black Magic Matcha, Mermaid Matcha, Pina Colada Tea Powder, Turmeric Tea Powder, and Orange & Passionfruit Matcha). You can find that available here.
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Leaf Type: Matcha
Where to Buy: Bird & Blend Tea Co.
Description
A delicious activated-charcoal matcha with creamy cocoa, this antioxidant-rich potion creates a magical black liquid once made up. Essentially flavourless, activated charcoal further boosts the antioxidant properties of our signature pure matcha rich in umami – the Japanese word for the delicious ‘fifth taste’, after salt, sweet, sour and bitter.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Mermaid Matcha/Bird and Blend Tea Co
I don’t love plain matcha. Never have. However, I have been a fan of flavored matchas since the company now known as Matcha Outlet was operating as Red Leaf Tea. Long before even DAVIDsTEA offered flavored matchas, Red Leaf Tea was offering everything from Caramel Popcorn Matcha to Strawberries and Cream Matcha to even Cheese Pizza Matcha. Alas, over the years the options offered have dwindled and I have had to seek out my flavored matchas from other companies.
Bird and Blend has a large selection of flavored matchas but they can be quite pricey. They also sell them in large quantities that I struggled to commit to. That is why when I noticed a sampler set of Rainbow Matchas on the site, I was very excited to pick it up and give the matchas a taste. One of the matchas in that set is this blue matcha, Mermaid Matcha.
When I first made this in milk, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. It is a light blue, which is cool to see. More than that though, it is delicious. This particular matcha tastes just like vanilla buttercream. Amazing cake frosting deliciousness and yet it is not overly sweet. It’s awesome and one I would definitely recommend if you’re into that flavor.
The one downside of some Bird and Blend matchas can be texture. Sometimes it is heavy so the matcha tends to fall to the bottom of the mug. Sometimes the matcha can be chalky. In the case of this matcha, I don’t really find those to be an issue. As such, it is one I think is worth the price.
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Leaf Type: Green/Matcha
Where to Buy: Bird & Blend Tea Co.
Description
For fans of our famous colour changing Blue Raspberry tea blend! This magical blue matcha is infused with blue pea flower, to create a deep sea blue brew!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Strawberry Lemon Matcha/Mantra Matcha
Flavored matchas. . .through trail and error I have found that not all matchas are the same. I’ve had amazing matchas where I just can’t get enough and other matchas where no matter how I prep the cuppa, the matcha and I are just not going to be friends.
Recently Mantra Matcha reached out to us to check out their matchas and after checking out their site, I knew we had to check them out. The flavors sounded so intriguing- Cinnamon Goji Berry Matcha, Strawbery Lemon Matcha, Banana Cacao Matcha and so many more. I couldn’t wait for the goodies to arrive so I could check out these flavors first hand.
Strawberry Lemon Matcha was the first that caught my eye. This matcha’s ingredient list is simple: Organic Super Premium Ceremonial Matcha, Organic Strawberries, Organic Lemon Juice and Organic Maltodextrin. (Maltodextrin is added to prevent hardening of the matcha powder).
First up- I tried the matcha cold. I have several blender bottles that I use for protein powder and scooped two portions of the matcha with the scoop provided into my bottle and filled the bottle to the top. Shook the contents of the bottle for about 30 seconds and poured the matcha over a glass of ice.
Took my first sip and was greeted with an amazing burst of flavor- smooth vegtal notes with soft berry flavor and a lemon finish. Wonderful refreshing and the perfect companion to my afternoon. The matcha blended up beautifully for just being shaken in a bottle. No clumps, absolutely light and frothy, and smooth. I’m incredibly impressed.
Next was to try the matcha hot as a latte. I scooped two servings into my Breville frother, added oat milk, and let the frother do its thing. (Usually I do use my whisk and go the more traditional route but since I was up against a meeting, I went this route. ) A few minutes later, I was greeted with a delicious matcha latte that again was smooth, light, refreshing. Each sip was eagerly enjoyed.
I do think I enjoyed the matcha prepped more cold than hot but both were very enjoyable.
All in all, I’m very impressed with this matcha and am excited to make overnight oats or even oatmeal. The prep for this matcha is so simple and convenient, which is great for me when I’m in a ton of meetings but need that jolt to keep me going for the rest of the day. Highly recommend and can’t wait to check out their other flavors. Thank you Mantra Matcha!
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Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Mantra Matcha
Description
This is what a lively sunny day would taste like if it was captured in a cup. Few things are more refreshing than a crisp, fresh-squeezed glass of lemonade, especially one infused with organic strawberries. When combined with fresh matcha, you’ll want to make our juicy lemon heaven your main squeeze everyday. This invigorating matcha blend provides a flavorful superfood kick that can brighten any day. Sip to restore, rehydrate, and energize naturally.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Teahouse Matcha/Rishi -skysamurai-
Everyone once in awhile I will drink a tea or have a matcha that is the unfortunate victim to poor packaging.
The grey unassuming bag looks like it would be well suited for the job of protecting this matcha but I fear it failed. The dry aroma is nil.
It’s part of matcha that I love, so smelling a staleness, a sort of packaging type of smell was disappointing. Surprisingly the wet aroma immediately filled my nose with vegetal and slight nori notes. Gave me hope.
But that was dashed with the flavor. It tastes like the aroma. Not at all what I expected.
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Leaf Type: Green Tea/Matcha
Where to Buy: Rishi
Description
Our top grade of organic matcha is made from the first springtime harvest of tencha, savored for its umami sweetness, creamy taste and enlivening energy
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Master’s Supreme Blend/Matcha Project -skysamurai-
I’m a matcha enthusiast.
I love being able to try out different matcha from different regions and companies to see the unique differences that each one holds.
I was a little surprised that there was no aroma in the dry powder but the liquid holds nice vegetal and umami notes. Those notes also help develop the deep umami notes in the flavor along with some unique vegetal notes. Cut green beans and other fresh vegetal notes.
Deep and soft notes on the tongue mostly but the initial touch is sharp. Somewhat metallic.
Almost ruins the rest of the experience for me but the smoothness of the powder transfers over to a nicely balanced cup with very little silt and some astringency.
This will make an awesome Molotov Matcha.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green/Matcha
Where to Buy: Matcha Project
Description
Produced from the very first harvest of Spring in Japan, our organic Master’s Supreme Ceremonial Matcha is crafted using only the most prized and tender baby tea leaves of Spring.
Our Master Blender has selected tea leaves from two different regions (Shizuoka & Kagoshima) in order to create a flavor profile that is perfectly balanced, smooth, and exceptionally delicious.
These baby tea leaves undergo a strict shading schedule prior to harvest where they are covered by black tarps for three weeks. This blocks nearly all sunlight in order to increase the richness & umami flavor of the matcha, while eliminating any unpleasant bitterness.
The leaves are then harvested, processed, dried, and finally ground into powder using the traditional and extremely time consuming stone grinding method, which has been used for 100s of years.
The result is this truly incredible and enjoyable matcha blend!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
