Matcha

[stepcutnut]

I am wondering what is your favorite brand if you drink matcha?

 

[SallyB]

Trader Joe’s Green Tea Matcha. The sweetened powdered mix that’s probably very unhealthy

I miss it.

 

[kenny]

I tried Matcha because of that 2016 Emmy winner drama, "Mozart in the Jungle".
The character who played an orchestra director drank it often, prepared a super-special "authentic" way.

Great series, but the tea didn't tick any of my boxes, or ring my bell, so I gave it away.

 

[pearaffair]

I have always wanted to like it and have never managed to find one that I find tastes good.

 

[SallyB]

Not Matcha, but my favorite black teas:

Taylors of Harrogate Scottish Breakfast Tea (Scottish, not English or Irish, is as far as I know the strongest-tasting black tea you can buy)

Lapsang souchong tea-black tea smoked over pine

I must try some real Matcha!

 

[JPie]

My favorite is Ippodo Tea’s grade 1 Kuon, which is their richest, followed by the Ummon-no-mukashi. For a cheaper basic, I go with the grade 5 Kan-no-shiro.

IppodoTea.com (USA & CA)

We are a family-run Japanese tea company founded in 1717, in the heart of Kyoto. For generations, we have upheld a tradition of aromatic, well-balanced teas.

ippodotea.com

 

[stepcutnut]

Thank you for your responses We begin each day with a bowl and are now unable to get our favorite brand due to the current shipping restrictions. My go to brand is Marukyu-Koyamaen, they have some really lovely offerings.

 

[dk168]

I like the ones with roasted rice for their nutty flavour.

DK

 

[AGBF]

I did not know what "matcha" was until I opened this thread.

 

[pearaffair]

I think I have only had sweetened ones. I imagine many are not sweetened? Are they always made with milk?

 

[JPie]

Thank you for your responses We begin each day with a bowl and are now unable to get our favorite brand due to the current shipping restrictions. My go to brand is Marukyu-Koyamaen, they have some really lovely offerings.

Ah, so you like the high quality, ceremonial grade matcha. Always pleased to meet a kindred spirit! I think Ippodo would be right up your alley if you haven’t already tried it.

 

[JPie]

I think I have only had sweetened ones. I imagine many are not sweetened? Are they always made with milk?

Matcha is traditionally served unsweetened with water only, which can taste quite strong and somewhat bitter.

It’s pretty trendy to have it with milk and sugar, which you’ll find at boba shops. I think it’s delicious and I often make it at home. I prefer to buy pure matcha powder so I can control how much sugar to use and how strong I want it.

 

[pearaffair]

Matcha is traditionally served unsweetened with water only, which can taste quite strong and somewhat bitter.

It’s pretty trendy to have it with milk and sugar, which you’ll find at boba shops. I think it’s delicious and I often make it at home. I prefer to buy pure matcha powder so I can control how much sugar to use and how strong I want it.

Thanks for the info!

 

[dk168]

I think I have only had sweetened ones. I imagine many are not sweetened? Are they always made with milk?

I tried the matcha latte from Muji, and it was way too sweet even for me!

DK

 

[JPie]

I tried the matcha latte from Muji, and it was way too sweet even for me!

DK

Matcha lattes are the reason that I stockpile soy milk! I swear they help with hangovers.

 

[OreoRosies86]

Kenko ceremonial grade. I like it whipped with coconut milk

 

[stepcutnut]

Ah, so you like the high quality, ceremonial grade matcha. Always pleased to meet a kindred spirit! I think Ippodo would be right up your alley if you haven’t already tried it.

I have tried to order from Ippodo in the past but my order was unable to be fulfilled-I think I may be time to try again

 

[stepcutnut]

Kenko ceremonial grade. I like it whipped with coconut milk

That sounds fantastic!

 

[stepcutnut]

@JPie I just placed a pre-order for the Premium Select, I am hoping it will be enjoyable

 

[JPie]

I hope they come through this time @stepcutnut !

 

[snotty_pie]

I get mine from Breakaway Matcha

Rare Premium Matcha from Kyoto, Japan

We're different from all other tea purveyors in that we are ultraspecialized. We go narrow and we go deep with a single focus: young-growth, extraordinary matcha. Once you try it, it's hard to drink anything else.

breakawaymatcha.com

 

[snotty_pie]

I tried Matcha because of that 2016 Emmy winner drama, "Mozart in the Jungle".
The character who played an orchestra director drank it often, prepared a super-special "authentic" way.

Great series, but the tea didn't tick any of my boxes, or ring my bell, so I gave it away.

I thought that character drank yerba mate?

 

[stepcutnut]

I get mine from Breakaway Matcha

Rare Premium Matcha from Kyoto, Japan

We're different from all other tea purveyors in that we are ultraspecialized. We go narrow and we go deep with a single focus: young-growth, extraordinary matcha. Once you try it, it's hard to drink anything else.

breakawaymatcha.com

@snotty_pie Thank you-do you have a favorite?

 

[snotty_pie]

@snotty_pie Thank you-do you have a favorite?

I ordered the Daphne once, and it was DIVINE. But I couldn't justify the cost, so I usually order 100g of Breakaway 97.

 

[stepcutnut]

I ordered the Daphne once, and it was DIVINE. But I couldn't justify the cost, so I usually order 100g of Breakaway 97.

The Daphne would be nice to try, but the Blend 97 sounds like a great option though I will likely start with a sampler flight to try and find a good fit!

 

[snotty_pie]

The Daphne would be nice to try, but the Blend 97 sounds like a great option though I will likely start with a sampler flight to try and find a good fit!

Please let me know what you think!

 

[Arcadian]

I would add matcha to some of my stronger teas. Matcha (at least the one I get) always had a bitter taste to me, so adding it to something like hibiscus tea (the real stuff can be quite strong) helped dial it back some. also true for lemon/ginger tea (I use the real stuff so it was quite strong)

tried with moringa and did not like it. but I didn't really like moringa to begin with.

I do have a preference for matcha to be hot verus cold (only exception is with hibiscus)

 

[snotty_pie]

I would add matcha to some of my stronger teas. Matcha (at least the one I get) always had a bitter taste to me, so adding it to something like hibiscus tea (the real stuff can be quite strong) helped dial it back some. also true for lemon/ginger tea (I use the real stuff so it was quite strong)

tried with moringa and did not like it. but I didn't really like moringa to begin with.

I do have a preference for matcha to be hot verus cold (only exception is with hibiscus)

It should taste grassy and smooth. If it's bitter, you may be using too hot of water (should be 160-175F, not boiling)? That or try a different brand

 

[snotty_pie]

Also, I can't drink straight matcha on an empty stomach. Makes me feel nauseated.

 

[stepcutnut]

I would add matcha to some of my stronger teas. Matcha (at least the one I get) always had a bitter taste to me, so adding it to something like hibiscus tea (the real stuff can be quite strong) helped dial it back some. also true for lemon/ginger tea (I use the real stuff so it was quite strong)

tried with moringa and did not like it. but I didn't really like moringa to begin with.

I do have a preference for matcha to be hot verus cold (only exception is with hibiscus)

@Arcadian I agree-matcha should be a bright vibrant green color(never muddy-if it is it may be the type or it may have gone bad), store open cans in the refridgerator for up to 3 months or closed cans in the freezer for up to a year. It should also taste smooth and balanced-sweet, grassy/vegetal, umami, slight tannins without bitterness or astringency. Please try another brand until you find one that is to your liking, when you do find the right one for you it is divine.