so i just had a cup of this- but i made it latte style!!
i’ve been drinking matcha for a while now, and i of course love the fact that it is chlorophyll-rich and nutrient-dense, so i am willing to overlook (rather, tolerate) the slightly bitter chalkiness to this very grassy green tea powder.
prepare to be in commune with Mother Earth! yes, it’s grassy, but i’m not sure this is the finest grade of matcha. the color is not as bright as Red Leaf’s or Teavana’s. i’ve heard it said that truly fine matcha should have a nice, verdant color. this one’s a muted olive green. not that i mind, so long as it’s drinkable. although a compromise in color could indicate a compromise in nutrients (i presume?)
straight, this is an exercise in tolerance, unless you’re going for that raw grass experience. as a latte (in my case, soy milk & brown sugar, no frothing) it’s quite yummy! it’s a vanillary grass that is creamy and pleasant. after adding the brown sugar, the aroma improved dramatically! the initial tinge of sweetness of the grassy minerality seemed to have transformed to something, well….sweeter! it was nice, although i should probably add the disclaimer that it takes a lot to make me run in the face of vegetation. i like my greens any which way, and i will tolerate earthy or bitter notes (not that i actively seek them out!)- especially for the sake of health benefits.
i’ve had this by itself many times, and i must say, dressed up with milk & sugar (like the Starbucks matcha latte, which is yummy!) it is much better. on its own, you get a ‘wet stone’, earthy kind of spinach. as this is ground, and hence, more potent than the leaf, it is bitter, which i imagine is par for the course. or is it? should matcha have any bitterness to it whatsoever?
i’m glad to cut my teeth on this one, but hope to move onto greener pastures. ;)
look forward to exploring Red Leaf & beyond!
Flavors: Earth, Grass, Mineral
