I haven’t had matcha before so I’m not sure what rating to give this tea. I sifted two teaspoons into a few ounces of not-quite-boiling water, then whisked as instructed (although I don’t have a bamboo whisk so I used a metal one, and I couldn’t figure out how long I was supposed to whisk it for). It was a really dark green and when I tasted it with a spoon it was the bitterest thing I’ve tasted in years (or ever?). I dumped the rest of a bag of sugar into it (okay, so the bag was mostly empty already) and thinned it down with a LOT more water. Like maybe two cups more. Then I tried it again and decided the flavor would be bearable if only it were cold, so I poured a little of it over a glassful of ice and now I have way more iced matcha than I know what to do with. I’m going to be drinking this batch for the rest of the day.
Like I say, I’ve never had matcha before so I don’t know if I’m just not used to the flavor yet or if this was a bad sample or if I prepared it wrong or what. I also got some cheesecake matcha in the same order so maybe I’ll try that tomorrow and see if it has a pleasanter flavor. Maybe after I learn what normal is for matcha I can come back and give this one a rating.
People who liked this
Comments
Believe it or not, one usually uses only about 1/4 teaspoon of sifted matcha per cup of tea! I can only imagine how bad that was! It would have given me the jitters, too.
Oh, and I usually use water between 160F and 170F. Matcha is also great shaken in milk with sugar, and an Aerolatte will mix it into an amazing frothy shake. So will a cocktail shaker with ice!
Haha, really? I had no idea! The instructions said to use one or two teaspoons in a few ounces of water and then dilute “to taste,” so I figured that meant I had to taste it before diluting. :P I’m not sure why I decided to go with two teaspoons rather than one, though. I’m thinking of making a latte-type concoction next time. :)
I looked at some other instructions. I saw one that said two matcha scoops each holding a bit of matcha the size of an almond. Another said to use about 1/2 tsp. for eight ounces. I know you have to have really high quality matcha for it to taste good served the traditional way! As a latte, most culinary grade matcha will do fine. I love KaiMatcha Premium but they sell out pretty fast and it is the only tea they sell. Basically they stay shut down most of the year! Ha! Breakaway Matcha has some great info on their site, but their tea is soooooo expensive. The good stuff is over $100 for 30 servings, I think.
BTW, I am also in NC and also majored in voice! I wasn’t raised as a farmhand, but I have chickens. Does that count? :)
Believe it or not, one usually uses only about 1/4 teaspoon of sifted matcha per cup of tea! I can only imagine how bad that was! It would have given me the jitters, too.
Oh, and I usually use water between 160F and 170F. Matcha is also great shaken in milk with sugar, and an Aerolatte will mix it into an amazing frothy shake. So will a cocktail shaker with ice!
Haha, really? I had no idea! The instructions said to use one or two teaspoons in a few ounces of water and then dilute “to taste,” so I figured that meant I had to taste it before diluting. :P I’m not sure why I decided to go with two teaspoons rather than one, though. I’m thinking of making a latte-type concoction next time. :)
I looked at some other instructions. I saw one that said two matcha scoops each holding a bit of matcha the size of an almond. Another said to use about 1/2 tsp. for eight ounces. I know you have to have really high quality matcha for it to taste good served the traditional way! As a latte, most culinary grade matcha will do fine. I love KaiMatcha Premium but they sell out pretty fast and it is the only tea they sell. Basically they stay shut down most of the year! Ha! Breakaway Matcha has some great info on their site, but their tea is soooooo expensive. The good stuff is over $100 for 30 servings, I think.
BTW, I am also in NC and also majored in voice! I wasn’t raised as a farmhand, but I have chickens. Does that count? :)