Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green (Matcha)
Where to Buy: Red Leaf Tea
Tea Description:
Kiwi Matcha’s rich acidic undertones make it a delectable delight when added to many foods and drinks around the home. Its sweet and tart taste make it a great food or drink enhancer because it enlivens the taste buds and makes partaking of the food much more enjoyable. It is an excellent flavor when making culinary delights exciting and more delectable. Its lingering flavor makes many foods and drinks very delicious and appealing.
Learn more about this Matcha here.
Taster’s Review:
This is pretty tasty, although, I must admit that I’m just a tad underwhelmed by it. I was hoping for more of a true to the fruit flavor with this Kiwi Flavored Matcha from Red Leaf Tea, but, it tastes a bit more like candy. It still tastes kiwi-like but it’s more like an artificial kiwi flavor than a authentic fruit-like taste.
That’s not to say it tastes bad … it’s certainly enjoyable. But, it tastes more like it was flavored with kiwi flavored candy … rather than kiwi fruit, if that makes sense.
The fresh, “green” taste of the Matcha lends some balance to this bowl of traditionally prepared Matcha, though. It has a bittersweet, slightly vegetative, slightly buttery taste. The texture is smooth and creamy and I’m glad to report that it is not gritty. (Yay!) It even stayed mixed all the way to the bottom of the bowl.
The kiwi has a sweet, fruity taste, but as I mentioned before, it is not a true fruit kind of taste … more like a fruity candy taste. It definitely does taste of kiwi, though. And there is a trace of “chemical-y” taste to this as well, but, I didn’t find it to be a powerful or overwhelming flavor, and after the first couple of sips, the artificial-y/chemical-y taste began to subside.
I prepared this traditionally, as I said, but I used slightly cooler water than I normally would, because it’s warmer out these days, and I wanted a cooler drink. While it terribly hot, it was warm and I enjoyed it that way. It’s also quite good when added to smoothies!
My specifications for this Matcha were my “usual” – the classic grade of green Matcha, flavored with a distinctive level of kiwi flavoring. This time around, I think that the kiwi slightly overpowered the flavor of the green tea, so you might want to go with the delicate flavoring with this particular flavor. Or … perhaps try a higher grade of Matcha (which is what I’d recommend!)
Good … but, not my favorite flavoring for the Matcha from Red Leaf Tea … but I’m still really glad I had the opportunity to try it, and don’t regret ordering it because I do love the flavor it adds to my smoothies, especially since I do enjoy kiwi fruit but it’s not a fruit I typically keep on hand. A teaspoon and a half of this Kiwi Flavored Matcha gives my smoothies a nice hint of kiwi!
Raisin Flavored Matcha from Red Leaf Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green (Matcha)
Where to Buy: Red Leaf Tea
Tea Description:
When the tangy tart taste of fresh raisins is combined with the understated elegance of Matcha, the resulting treat is a true feast for the palate. With its subtle hints of hidden sweetness and Matcha’s light touch, Raisin Matcha is the perfect treat for people who want a drink with fruity undertones and a touch of the exotic orient. This delicious treat can also command a following in the special occasions of young children because of its sweet flavor and fruity charms.
Learn more about this flavored Matcha here.
Taster’s Review:
I like raisins alright, and my curiosity was definitely piqued when I noticed that Red Leaf Tea offers a Raisin Flavored Matcha in their vast selection of flavored Matcha teas. I mean, it’s not often when I actually encounter a raisin flavored tea … I’ve found a few grape flavored teas, but not counting the few fruit tisanes that I’ve found that include actual raisins in their blend, it’s not often when I come across a raisin flavored tea.
And if that wasn’t enough to prompt me to order a Raisin Flavored Matcha (and it is!) I couldn’t help bu think that the sweet flavor of raisins would mesh quite well with the sweet, buttery, vegetative flavor of Matcha. And I was right! This is really an outstanding flavor combination. It reminds me just a wee bit of the Fig Flavored Matcha … the aroma was not quite as strong as the Fig Matcha but it was similar, and the taste is faintly reminiscent of the flavor of the Fig Matcha as well. Not so similar that it’s difficult to tell one from the other – this is definitely Raisin flavored Matcha. But they are similar enough to evoke my thoughts to that Fig Matcha that I enjoyed so much.
The Matcha is sweet, slightly grassy, and has a creamy texture. The raisin-y taste seems to highlight the Matcha tea’s natural buttery note and encourages it to come forward. There is a slightly tart note to this too, a distinct “grape-y” note to this, although it tastes more like the sweet, dry raisin than it does a juicy, tart grape.
I went with my usual specifications for this Matcha – the classic grade of Matcha and the distinctive level of flavoring … and I’m very happy with the result. The flavor of the Matcha is not diminished or muted by the flavoring, and the raisin notes are strong enough to be tasted. A nice balance has been achieved. I don’t think I’d go with a different level of flavoring for this blend for future orders, but I might try one of the higher grades of Matcha, just to see how they measure up.
I like this Matcha prepared the traditional way, whisked up with hot water. It also makes a nice latte, if you’d like to add some warm milk to the chawan when you’re preparing the matcha. But I think that this one is BEST served cold! Just measure some of the powdered green tea right into a water bottle with cold water and shake it up until it’s completely incorporated. It’s so delightfully refreshing – and invigorating! It makes a great pick-me-up for those afternoons when you start to feel sluggish!
Another winning flavor for Matcha from Red Leaf Tea!
Caramel Flavored Black Tea Matcha from Red Leaf Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea (Matcha)
Where to Buy: Red Leaf Tea
Tea Description:
For those with an unrepentant and unwavering sweet tooth, there is no better tea than sweet caramel matcha. This fine tea blends the eastern traditions of matcha with the modern caramel flavor to brew a delectable tea that is sweet to take as a mid-morning snack, before lunch aperitif or after dinner relaxing drink. The toned-down caramel matcha is ideal for those who need a sweet tea without adding any extra sugar.
Learn more about this flavored Matcha here.
Taster’s Review:
Do you ever have one of those kind of mornings where it feels like no matter what kind of tea you drink, you just aren’t going to be awake or alert enough to get going on the things you need to get done? I’m having one of those days, so I decided to take a break and have a Matcha latte … but not just any Matcha latte. I used this Caramel Flavored Black Tea Matcha from Red Leaf Tea. YUM!
The base of this Matcha uses a bold, rich, malty tasting black tea which is powdered in the same way that green tea Matcha is powdered. The result is a very ENERGIZING powdered tea leaf. This has the gusto I need today! I’ll be bouncing off the walls in NO time! haha!
I know I’ve said how much I love Red Leaf Tea’s flavored Matcha selections before … I love the versatility. This tea exemplifies that versatility. Instead of the green tea, I chose black tea, and instead of a moderate level of flavoring, I chose a robust flavoring because black tea tends to be stronger than green tea … and I wanted to taste the caramel! And for this flavored Matcha, my selections have proved to be right on target.
I am getting a delicious, creamy caramel flavor – sweet and decadent! And together with the black tea … the malty tones of the black tea meld beautifully with the caramel notes. I think I just may like this black tea Matcha flavored with the caramel better than the green tea Matcha flavored with the caramel! (But both are absolutely amazing!) I am loving how the black tea works so well with the caramel notes.
To make my Matcha latte, I used a 1:1 ratio of milk and water. I brought the water to a gentle boil, and poured the water over my pre-measured and sifted Matcha (Red Leaf Tea now pre-sifts the Matcha for you, saving you this step!) and then I whisk it until the tea is completely incorporated in the water (it’s rather thick at this point!) Then I add the steamed milk, and I use my hand-held frother to whisk the milk into the already whisked Matcha. (I don’t like to use my chasen to whisk milk into my Matcha as I fear that this can encourage bacteria.) Once the tea is fully incorporated into both the milk and the water, I enjoy! It is sweet, creamy and sinfully delicious! You don’t have to use milk, of course, you can just use this Caramel Flavored Black Tea Matcha to make Matcha in the traditional way … but I like the way the milk enhances the creamy notes of the caramel.
However you decide to serve it, this Matcha flavor is a winner! Definitely one of my favorites!
Caramel MATCHAccino from Red Leaf Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Red Leaf Tea
Tea Description:
Have your MATCHAccino your way! Easy to make for those on the go or sit back and indulge in sweet healthy goodness! Caramel MATCHAccino is a flavored green tea matcha latte that is decedent, delicious, and full of caramel flavor. Some say that the flavor matches that of a crème brûlée, or caramelized sugar. Others are reminded of the old fashioned caramel candies their grandparents savored. We just know it is delicious!
There is no healthier or tastier way to indulge your senses in something this sweet, and energizing! Just scoop, put into your container, shake with milk and ice, and your good to go. It couldn’t be easier, or more affordable to have a MATCHAccino in your hands right now. MATCHAccino is best mixed with milk and ice, but can also be served hot as a latte. Add a dollop of whipped cream if you care to indulge in a luscious caramel candy sensation. All natural, with premium quality ingredients. You will think you are doing something sinful!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
MATCHAccino from Red Leaf Tea is anything and everything a person on the go could want! For that matter it is anything a person who wants to lavish in a sweet inexpensive matcha latte at home could want! Its everything anyone could want! It provides a healthy way to indulge in sweet caramel goodness that provides a nice energy boost without feeling cruddy like you would after a typical energy drink. The flavor is perfection. Sweet caramel candy like yumminess with a sweet green matcha flavor to boot. I do add whipped cream to mine often and love it. Just like the description says, it tastes as good as, if not better than a milkshake!
I can’t express how easy this is to make, and I admit, I’m rather lazy. If something takes too much prep time I lose interest in it fairly quickly. Now with that said I do love having all of the pretty chawans, chasens, sifters, whisks, etc and so on, but I only use those on occasion and will generally prepare something that only takes a little time. Well this is it my friends, this literally takes me no longer than two minutes to prepare. Using their measuring scoop I put the powder into my lidded glass drinking vessel, after adding my almond milk so that the powder does not get weighted down and stuck to the bottom, put the lid on, shake about ten times, and I’m sipping on what I could have paid five bucks for at a coffee (now trying to be a tea shop) shop. Big difference though is that this is only a little over a dollar, under a dollar when you buy a larger size pouch!
Fact is that where I live the only coffee shops that even offer a matcha latte are clear across town. I don’t live in a big city that offers these drinks on every street corner, but even if I did it would make no sense to pay that exorbitant price for a matcha latte with Red Leaf Tea’s option! Also, personally, I don’t care to give my money to the big chains that really have no honest interest in serving good quality tea, I mean they are coffee chains and tea is an afterthought. Anyway, I didn’t mean for this post to become crass. I just really love this MATCHAccino and am really excited about how good it is.
Thank you Red Leaf Tea for coming up with so many great ideas!
White Pomegranate Tea from Red Leaf Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Red Leaf Tea
Tea Description:
One of the most subtle and elegant teas that you will find, White Pomegranate tea has delicate flavors which hint at the rejuvenating properties it contains. This white tea offers a blend with an almost indescribable taste, and a pale, naturally sweet cup that has gentle fruity touches. The addition of vitamin C by way of the rose hips gives a boost to your immune system and the safflower provides essential acids that are known for their health giving properties. While the infused pomegranate is a boost to your health as well as a spike of flavor to this loose leaf white tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I love pomegranate, but it’s not always easy to find a well-crafted pomegranate tea. I’ve found a few that I’ve really enjoyed, but, I’ve also found several that have been very disappointing. This White Pomegranate Tea from Red Leaf Tea is one that I’m really enjoying!
The delicate character of the white tea leaves is a perfect match for the tangy flavor of the pomegranate fruit. The softer flavor of the white tea allows the flavor of the fruit to really shine through, while the bright flavor of the pomegranate does not obscure the pale earthiness of the white tea.
When I measured out this tea, I noticed how fluffy the leaves looked, each pale, silvery colored leaf was covered in the tiny, soft fuzz. The flavor of the white tea is a soft flavor, lightly vegetative notes that are more “hay-like” than grassy. The taste is earthy and pleasant, and I like how these notes meld with the pomegranate.
The pomegranate tastes a little bit sweet and a little bit tart … just like the fruit itself. I like the juiciness of the tea – and it has a very refreshing quality to it as well. I enjoy this one served hot or cold … but my preference is iced! It makes an awesome, thirst-quenching iced tea!
