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.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
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
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Organic Matcha from Kiss Me Organics. . .
I’ve always had an affinity for matcha, but in recent months, I’ve become a bit obsessed. Like many of my tea-loving sisters, I stash the hot brews away for the summer as soon as it starts to warm up, but there’s still a part of me that longs for a tasty, un-iced cuppa from time to time. Black teas seem too heavy for this distinction in the summer, but fresh and vegetal matcha hits the perfect notes.
I’m not enough of a matcha expert to really be able to tell the finest distinctions between brands, but I can vouch that this one is right up there with some of my favorites: finely milled, fresh, bright and vegetal taste, and blends beautifully into my drink of choice (either straight in water, as a latte, or if I’m feeling really fun– iced!). A bonus– it’s organic! If this is something that’s important to you like it is to me, this is a great choice. If you’re looking for a matcha powder that hits all the right notes and won’t let you (erm– or your cup) down, this is a solid choice.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha
Where to Buy: Kiss Me Organics
Description
Our Japanese-grown, 100% certified organic, Culinary Grade Matcha powder contains 137x the antioxidants of brewed green tea. Matcha is a potent antioxidant and consuming it can increase thermogenesis (the rate at which our body burns calories) by 30 to 50%. Our green tea powder contains a potent amino acid, L-Theanine, that helps reduce stress while providing a steady energy boost (for up to 6 hours), without the caffeine crash. KissMeOrganics Culinary grade matcha is made from 100% certified organic ingredients and comes in a BPA-FREE Packaging with resealable zipper pouch. Ideal for blending, baking and cooking.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
MMU05 / Material Matcha Uji
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)
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Organic Japanese Boutique Crafted Matcha Green Tea from The Flavor Project
I know I SHOULD get CUTE with matcha more – you know – make recipes, post about natural body care using matcha, flavoring or making specialty drinks using matcha as the base but sometimes you just have to PAUSE and drink matcha straight-up and savor it for what it is and that is just what I did with this Organic Japanese Boutique Crafted Matcha Green Tea from The Flavor Project. I savored it for what it IS and that IS that it IS pretty awesome!
Organic Japanese Boutique Crafted Matcha Green Tea from The Flavor Project smells slightly sweet prior to adding and whisking! The aroma continues once I sip. There is a creaminess to it, too! This straight-up matcha is VERY SMOOTH.
I can see sharing this with friends! I can see endless possibilities with this Organic Japanese Boutique Crafted Matcha Green Tea from The Flavor Project but keep in mind this is also a matcha you can PAUSE and enjoy as-is, too!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha
Where to Buy: The Flavor Project
Description
This all-natural, crafted and stone-ground boutique matcha is all natural. Not only does it taste great as a traditional matcha, you can blend it for an amazing smoothie, froth it with milk for a latte, or add a spoonful to just about anything for a real health treat. Looks like you’ve got some serious taste testing to do.
Our organic tea fields are located 600 metres above sea level in the valleys between the mountains. The cooler climate and unique location helps produce outstanding organic matcha.
Matcha is rich in antioxidants, amino acids, chlorophyll and fibre, and each serving is nutritionally equivalent to 10 cups of regular green tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
MatchaStick by Magus Brands
Hello Tea Friends,
I adore Matcha and was giddy to be sent this sample to try; I was even giddier to learn that this Matcha stick’s contents are organic. I haven’t tried anything from Magus Brands and I always enjoy drinking from a vendor that is new to me.
The MatchaStick is a handy pocked/bag size that contains “2g of matcha, which contains 70mg of caffeine (equal to a cup of light roast coffee) and 137 times the antioxidants of a cup of green tea.” They have a lovely guide for brewing on their home page for those that are new to Matcha. With two method examples given (Usucha and Koicha) I will be using the traditional Usucha method as I like my Matcha frothy and bubbly.
Opening the stick the Matcha appears a vivid green colour that bares a grassy, sweet pea scent.
Once prepared the Matcha has created a lot of lovely foam (with very little effort on my part) and is a bit lighter than the natural raw state.
Flavour wise the first few sips reveal sweet grass, seaweed and thick umami notes among the light and frothy foam. Slightly bitter but in a pleasant way. The after taste is clean and light which sweetens the grass and umami even further. Half way through the bowl/chawan the flavour remains consistent, also the foam still remains thick.
Overall: This Matcha was a handy packet size and was easy to prepare. It claimed to be of ceremonial grade and organic which from the foam proportion and colour I am inclined to agree with. You could certainly taste the quality and it made for a very nice Chawan of Matcha. The umami in this was strong and I savoured every sip with a smile. For new Matcha drinkers or seasoned fans that like to travel I recommend you consider these fantastic MatchaSticks, they are Matcha-tastic!
Description: Our MatchaSticks™ are made from the highest-grade, premium organic matcha. We’ve partnered with a network of centuries-old, small family-owned farms who cultivate the tea by hand on the island town of Kagoshima. The island soil creates a vibrant, refreshing strain of tencha, a shade-grown tea that is transformed into matcha.