Red Leaf Tea, Caramel Matcha

Red Leaf 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.

Ingredients:
Pure Matcha powder from green leaves, Caramel Natural Flavor

My Review:

I've already had my usual morning cold milk/matcha latte. This morning I mixed strawberry and French vanilla matcha from Red Leaf Tea. It was very good, although I may prefer each of them by themselves, as I don't want anything getting in the way of the flavor of either. Weird, but true.

I thought I would have this one as a treat after lunch. I have read so many positive reviews, I wanted to check it out for myself. That being said, I am not a major craver of all things caramel, so we will see.

This is the basic grade matcha sample. It is what you get if you don't click anything but sample when you order. The powder is a greenish yellow-brown.

I used about a level teaspoon of powder in my mug and added 4 ounces of milk. Using a battery operated frother, I was able to completely fill the mug to overflowing with froth. I used the spoon to stir the mix to make sure I had gotten all the powder off the bottom blended in with the milk. This is why the mug doesn't look full in the picture. After the picture was taken, I added more milk.

So my first sip was pleasant enough. To me it was a little too light for my tastes. It didn't seem like it was worth all the fuss I had read about it.

Then I added a half packet of Splenda - equivalent to about 1 tsp of sugar - and what a difference. Caramel topping like you would add to ice cream or caramel like found in candy bars, is ok once in a while but I don't get too excited about them. This on the other hand was delicious enough I could enjoy it everyday.

This is obviously sweet but it isn't gross sweet even after my addition. It is very smooth and buttery feeling. The taste seems so natural and totally resist getting all up in my face. The perfect comination of flavor, sweet, and texture. I'll have this one again.

You can find Red Leaf Tea Caramel Matcha here

Red Leaf Tea, French Vanilla Matcha

Red Leaf Tea Description:
When anyone wants to partake of a snack that is deliciously sweet, perfectly healthy and unique in flavor, French Vanilla Matcha becomes an obvious choice. This is because, unlike Madagascar Vanilla Matcha, it has a creamier look and texture and is very smooth on any palate. This makes it a delightful treat for growing families with young children who need to get accustomed to enjoying sweet healthy treats as often as they require. It is also an excellent accompaniment for any adult who wants to revisit their younger days without the calorie overload. For senior citizens it the best choice for an enjoyable palate alternative that is very smooth and easy to partake. French Vanilla Matcha with its very inviting color, combines the best of both worlds because, it uses the exceptional Eastern Matcha tradition with the top notch European practices for delectable daily treats. This makes this unforgettable snack an absolute favorite for anytime of the day or night when both adults and children need to kick back and relax while they treat their taste buds to a unique creamy Matcha that goes down so smoothly that one serving is never enough. This special Matcha treat can also hold its own among many edible alternatives in any social setting. Its ultra-smooth texture and bright coloring make it a favorite for many children parties and other adult gatherings, where people want to venture away from the traditional and experience the exceptional together with their friends and loved ones. French Vanilla Matcha becomes the perfect incentive to bring many people together.

My Review:

I already had my morning cold matcha latte. Lunchtime snuck up on me before I realized (I looked it up - snuck has become an acceptable usage of past tense sneak, at least in the US and Canada). Nothing sounded good, so I finally fixed a small bowl of white rice. Afterward, I started craving another latte. Red Leaf Tea French Vanilla Matcha to the rescue.

Once the sample pack was opened, the air was filled with sweetness like icing. Removing a spoon of powder, this is a yellowish spring green. Mine is the regular basic grade matcha.

I used a half mug of cold 2% milk and my frother to blend it together. The mug was nearly full of froth. When I make my morning latte, I use a 16 ounce tumbler. When a tea froths as well as the French Vanilla, I can put the straw in the tumbler and it will stand straight up. I tried this in the mug, but it is not tall enough so the straw fell over. It is so thick that I fully expected it to work.

Filled the mug the rest of the way with milk. Man, this smells good. It is kind of a clay color. That is typical of a cold milk latte made with basic matcha.

This tastes a lot like iced white cake. Like a big slice of cake was thrown into the blender with some milk. Yes, it is near heaven. Oh wait, except for the milk there is pretty much no calories, as this is simply pure matcha powder from green leaves and French vanilla natural flavor, so maybe it is heaven. Well, at least heavenly.

There is some spicy note present that reminds me of Christmas. I have read no other reviews making that statement, so this is obviously a memory connection for me. I'll take it.

This is smooth creamy, sweet, and obviously vanilla without going over the top in any way. I am pretty sure this will satisfy just about any normal sweet tooth. For those of us that want our dessert even more decadent, it will take additional sweetening in stride.

I highly recommend trying this one.

You can find Red Leaf Tea French Vanilla here.

Red Leaf Tea, Banana Matcha

Red Leaf Tea Description:
The well loved banana is grown in many types found in most tropical climates. The banana fruit is vanilla colored and in its powder forms gives it the sweet enriching taste that bananas are well respected for. Adding Matcha to banana powder can give it an interesting twist and a flavor that is sweet light and out of this world.

Banana Matcha makes a truly nutritious drink with its lingering deep taste and imperceptible smell. This special beverage can be taken as both a hot or cold drink depending on the occasion. It can also be taken as an aperitif or with food at meal times. Furthermore, Banana Matcha provides its delighted drinkers with health benefits that linger as long as the drink is taken.

Ingredients:
Pure Matcha powder from green leaves, Banana Natural Flavor

My Review:

OK, I know I am bound to make a comment somewhere before this review is complete, so let's just get it out of the way. I am pretty sure I can never type or say banana again without seeing those little yellow Minions. Ba-na-naaaaaa! There got it out of my system.

Got this one from Red Leaf Tea because I happen to love bananas. Then as I grabbed it today, I began to be concerned. The ingredients don't say what Banana Natural Flavor is. In the case of the strawberry it was mentioned in the details that they used freeze-dried fruit. I don't know if that is what they did here.

Then my worry was, even if they used real fruit, at what level of ripeness were they? Many people want them far too green for me. I want them just beginning to get brown spots on the peel. They are far sweeter and easier on the system at this point. The taste is completely different between the two.

The powder is nicely green for basic level matcha. It smells very strongly of banana. I used one tsp in a mug with 8 ounces of milk. I frothed it at 4 ounces then added the rest of the milk. It foamed nicely but did not hold the foam long.

My first taste just seems weird. Sorry Red Leaf Tea, I have to be honest. It tastes banana-ish but has another note that reminds me of light rose water. I guess it is a clash between the banana, the matcha, and the milk. I don't dislike it so much as I find it weird.

Next I added a little sweetener. That almost entirely removes the rose element. Now what I am getting is like a banana marshmallow candy flavor. It is not too sweet but it is sweet. Much better.

My thinking, and I hope to try this later, is too add a big plop of ice cream to the mug, maybe even a drizzle of chocolate or caramel - maybe both. Yeah, that kind of defeats the idea of having a low calorie treat, but I consider such occasions as soul food. You know, things you eat or drink simply for the total joy of being alive. Continually denying yourself such pleasures should be a crime. Seize the moment and grab the ice cream!

You can find Red Leaf Tea Banana Matcha here.

Red Leaf Tea, Strawberry Matcha

Red Leaf Tea Description:
Are you having your 5 A DAY ? What better way to have your first fruit portion of the day is there than to try our Strawberry Matcha Tea. Our Matcha Tea is blended with the best hand picked European Strawberries. It’s time to get those buiscuits out to fuse with our 100% Pure Matcha Tea with a blend of the freshest Aroma of  strawberries.  

Strawberries although commonly found in Europe originate from North and South America. Due to the inherent nature of strawberries they tend to lose their vitamins quickly. Studies have shown that the optimum shef life is for 2 days before they start to lose their vitamin C values. However all our flavors and health benefits are retained as our raw and organic fruits are freeze dried and ground into powder to offer the best quality.

Ingredients:
Pure Matcha powder from green leaves, Strawberry Natural Flavor

My Review:

Confession time. I was planning on reviewing a white tea today, but I have to leave shortly and knew I would not have the proper time to devote to a multiple steeped tea. So, second choice was Red Leaf Tea Strawberry Matcha.

I have my matcha system down pretty well. I just sort of eye ball measure and go. The addition of a battery operated milk frother takes all the hard work out of whisking.

The powder on this one is a little darker and brown tinted than I have become accustomed to lately (I've been spoiled). Then I decided this is due to the addition of ground freeze dried strawberries in the matcha powder.

I used 1 tsp in a 10 oz mug of cold milk. Well, actually I started with about 4 oz of milk and frothed the mixture to a thick fine foam, then I added the rest of the milk, and stirred.

The color mixed with milk is a pale mint green. Of course it smells of strawberry.

I really was not sure what to expect of the taste. Would the milk overpower the strawberry? Would it taste like Strawberry Nesquik? By the way, I remember it simply being called Quik. When did the name change, and what does it have to do with this matcha latte? I don't know. I've become so confused. What should I do?

I know, take a sip. Ahhh. Now things are much clearer.

You want to know what this tastes like? A mug full of fresh strawberries with milk poured over them. I half expected to find a green top floating in my glass. Not really.

As you can probably surmise, I found this latte to be very fun. While fun, it is also very delicious. I love a good strawberry black tea, but today I have learned I love strawberry matcha even more. This is my favorite flavored matcha so far. Highly recommend if you like strawberries.

You can find Red Leaf Tea Strawberry Matcha here.

Red Leaf Tea, Acai Berry Matcha

Red Leaf Tea Description:
Our fabulous Matcha Tea cannot get any better than this! Its high-quality Green Tea leaves are young and processed in a special way that maintains all of their amazing health benefits. Matcha Tea features multiple healthful qualities that keep your body and mind strong and alert. Matcha Tea helps detoxify the blood, has cancer-fighting properties and also kills free radicals.

So, what could we possibly do to make our Matcha Tea any better? We have taken our amazing, healthy Matcha and supplemented it with Raw Organic Freeze-dried Acai Berry powder. If you have followed any health buzz for the past few years, you know about Acai. If you haven't been following it, let's take a look at what Acai can do. Acai has ten times the antioxidants of blueberries or grapes. Antioxidants, like Matcha, help fight free radicals and keep your body healthy and strong all year round.

Ingredients:
Pure Matcha powder from green leaves, Brazilian Acai Natural Flavor

My Review:

A new month. A new opportunity to drink tea and write reviews. My wife and friends are complaining about the cold already. It does make porch setting a little more of a challenge but I am still running the ceiling fan indoors. I love the cool.

Today I am reviewing Acai Berry Matcha from Red Leaf Tea. I debated with myself for quite a while, trying to decide how I would prepare this one. More on that in a moment.

I ordered a sample size to try out something new and different. The sample bags are small and not resealable. Once opened I fold the top over and close it with a paper clip. I usually prepare the rest in a day or two.

A tip from a friend - when opening the vacuum sealed bags, first make a small cut at the notch in the end. This will release the vacuum allowing gravity to do its thing. Since learning this trick, the mess on my table is much smaller. Matcha tends to make a dust cloud when opened otherwise. (Thanks Ashmanra!)

This sample uses the basic level matcha. It is a little darker than most of these blends have been, apparently from the powder acai.

The scent is pretty intensely berry. My first thought was to make a cup with hot water. I normally don't drink my matcha that way. I like a cold milk latte. I really wasn't sure milk and acai would be a good mix, but, I decided I would do it for science! If it turns out badly, you'll never see this and I will be writing about a hot cup today :)

A tsp of powder was added to my mug along with 4 oz of milk. I used my frother to do the mixing. I worked up a nice thick foam that reached almost to the top of the mug.

Next I added an additional 4 oz of cold milk and lightly mixed. As you can see in the picture, the color is kind of light. The foam is a much smaller amount with bigger bubbles than before adding more milk. Normally I use a big tumbler for extra blending room, but it is hard to get a good picture through the graphics.

The taste is very berry! I have never had an actual acai berry. I have had a few flavored acai teas. This one is the most intense - in a good way. It is kind of its own flavor, somewhere between blueberry and blackberry, with floral notes that remind me of a light rose.

I needn't have worried about adding this to milk. It definitely holds its own and with out a taste conflict. I added no sweetener to the mug as I often do with matcha. Seriously, this does not need sweetened. The natural sweetness is more than enough. I kind of expected some tartness. I did not notice any in the cup.

The only downside I can comment on is this did not mix thoroughly. Some sediment remained in the bottom of the cup. It is possible this would not occur in a hot preparation. I was just really in the mood for a refreshing cold mug of joy. Mission accomplished.

You can find Red Leaf Tea Acai Berry Matcha here.

Red Leaf Tea, Pumpkin Pie Matcha

Red Leaf Tea Description:
Despite its unique name, pumpkin pie tastes very similar to sweet potato pie. It is sweet on the palate and when combined with the enriching hints of exotic Matcha, becomes more balanced and delectable on the palate. Pumpkin Pie Matcha can be adapted to suit the occasions of young children because of its sweet beckonings and also the occasions of adults because of its delectable taste. This understated delicious snack can be an excellent choice as an in between meal snack for those who are not afraid to experience true adventure. It's surprisingly sweet taste both delights and enriches the palate with unexpected pleasure.

My Review:

It's fall and as a tea drinker that means trying the obligatory pumpkin inspired tea. This year I went a different route and ordered this flavored matcha from Red Leaf Tea.

I'll start by saying I love pumpkin pie. About this time of year I can almost imagine the very reason I was put on this earth was to eat pumpkin pie. We all know that isn't likely to be true but it's my fantasy and I'm sticking to it. That said, it makes me sorry for tea companies that I review. I know they will not capture the true flavor of pie. Pumpkin spice sure, but not pie and crust.

So this one is intense out of the packet. The spice is quite strong when I open the bag. I mostly notice clove. To a lesser extent it is cinnamon and allspice.

Viewing the powder it looks typical of kitchen grade matcha. Upon closer inspection I see sparkles of possibly sugar crystals although the ingredients are listed as "Pure Matcha powder from green leaves, Pumpkin Pie Natural Flavor".

I used my usual heaping teaspoon of powder with a couple ounces of cold 2% milk. With my electric frother I worked this up until it was almost entirely a creamy foam. Then I added more milk until the foamy mix reached the top of the tumbler.

You can see in the picture how much foam is still present. It makes for a thick creamy dessert drink.

I read through the reviews on Steepster. Most of them praise this for capturing the essence of pumpkin pie. I will have to say I respectfully disagree. This is not pumpkin pie. At least it is not any pumpkin pie I have tried, and I have tried a lot.

That said, it is still pretty good. It is very sweet. It is also heavy on the spice. This reminds me of the powdered Chai mix a friend and I used to buy at Sam's Club. We went trough several large cans of the stuff. Every time we would swear we weren't going to get another, but before long one of us would crack and away we would go again.

So, this is a very sweet decadent dessert treat. I could become addicted, but as with virtually every pumpkin themed tea I try this time of year, this is pumpkin spice, it is not pumpkin pie.

You can find Red Leaf Tea, Pumpkin Pie Matcha here.

Red Leaf Tea, Cheesecake Matcha

Red Leaf Tea Description:
When the much loved cheesecake is combined with exotic Matcha, the resulting Cheesecake Matcha is unforgettable and very delicious. With its creamy and buttery undertones and a hint of Matcha spiciness, a Cheesecake Matcha treat can easily take its place among the everyday favorite snack choices. This versatile treat adapts to the palate and can sometimes taste salty or creamy or sour depending on who is enjoying it. This varied taste makes this delectable treat truly exceptional and very favored among those who prefer non sweet snacks in their refreshment alternatives.

My Review:
I begin everyday, and I mean every day, with a cold 2% milk and matcha latte. I want the milk for the nutrition (milk does a body good) and to protect my stomach from my morning medicine. I want the matcha for the flavor and the caffeine. One of the side benefits is the natural antioxidants found in the powdered tea leaves.

Normally, I drink it with added Splenda and maybe a light splash of vanilla and caramel syrup. I like kitchen grade matcha fine for this, but truth be told, the expensive stuff tastes even better if you can afford it.

I recently ordered, I believe, 8 different flavored matcha samples from Red Leaf Tea. I don't drink a lot of preflavored tea since discovering loose leaf unless it is for a review. These I got because they sound like fun!

Opening the sample bag, I smell the powder. It reminds me more of cookie dough than cheesecake at this point. The powder is kind of a dull yellowish green. This sample is made with basic matcha. You can get the good stuff if you like for extra money.

I used two of the pictured spoons of powder - 1/2 tsp total, in a glass mug and added half a cup of milk. Then, I used my new milk frother to mix and foam. I love the frother and highly recommend getting one for your latte needs. After filling the mug with foam, I slowly poured in the rest of the cup of milk. I gently ran the frother at the bottom to fully mix everything.

The result is a bone white colored mug with a foamy top.

In tasting, I bounce between, yes it tastes like cheesecake without the fruit topping, to no, it tastes like Celestial Seasoning Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride. Now, I must tell you, I have multiple boxes of said Sugar Cookie in my possession. Locally, it is available only for a brief seasonal time each year. It is a must have.

The biggest difference is the smooth creaminess of this frothed blend. It has a buttery lightly salted taste. The light salt is probably just my brain trying to dissect the flavor and not an actual element.

My opinion is this cheesecake matcha needed no added sweetener. The ingredients listed on the website are "Pure Matcha powder from green leaves, Cheesecake Natural Flavor". I followed the directions. Normally I would use closer to 2 tsp of powder in 12 oz of milk. Here I used 1/2 tsp in 8 oz, and I was happy with the result. The longer I sipped the more I made the cheesecake connection.

I think if you tossed some berries in the cup it would make for an even better sensory delight.  As prepared, I can see my nightly winter Sugar Cookie may have some morning competition!

You can find Red Leaf Tea Cheesecake Matcha here.
 

Matcha Madness - The Final Chapter Part 2

Below are the final 12 contestants in the set 3 challenge. For the first half of this blind tasting review of high grade matcha see Matcha Madness - The Final Chapter Part 1.

The Sponsor:

One more time, I would like to thank Red Leaf Tea for sponsoring this challenge. They furnished all the samples including those of their competitors. Each was generically labeled so I had no idea what I was drinking or to who it belonged. The information was made available after the reviews were completed then added to my notes for this post.

Methodology:

I used 4 ounces of water heated to 160 F. To this, 1 tsp of matcha was whisked into the water. The whisk I am using is not a proper bamboo whisk. Instead I am using a small plastic kitchen whisk.

I will be using the same rating system I used in Part 1. A score of 1 is bad. A score of 10 is excellent.

 On To The Tasting:

Sample 22

Beautiful vivid spring green powder with a fresh cut field grass scent. The dry taste is lightly malty and buttered popcorn. As with all these higher grade matcha this mixed easily and foamed well. What I perceive as different is how tiny the foam bubbles seem - and this was using a kitchen whisk. The tea is dark green. This is not a negative comment, just my way of describing the tea, it looks thick like paint. The taste is very smooth and thick like drinking a mostly melted milkshake. I am getting no bitterness while hot and only a slight amount as it gets cold. The taste is spinach, corn, and malt. Savory and refreshing. This one I am finding really pretty tasty.

Aroma: 8  Color: 8  Taste: 9 Sweet/Bitter: 6/9

Misake Tea Company, Meditation Ceremonial Organic Matcha 

Price/oz: $23.54 

Size: 1.06 oz

Price: $24.95

The company furnished descriptions on Amazon are usually a turn off and concentrate on outlandish health claims. This one made me laugh. Most of it is OK selling points, but the last one "Makes you even sexier!" Now come on, who doesn't wan to be sexier? Still like the taste.


Sample 23

Once again a really good looking powder. The dry scent to me is slightly paint and fruit with grassy undertones. The dry taste is very robust. It is malt and buttered popcorn but with a nice bite. Mixed easily and foamed well. This one, like the last, reminds me of looking at green paint. It is thick and consistent in its color. Tasting, I notice a good bite. It is a nice change from the smoothness of the last one. It feels thick and creamy. The taste is so fresh and green. I get spinach and celery. Starts sweet then umami becoming bitter at the end, but it is an enjoyable bitter. Lingering vegative aftertaste. Completely different from the last. Different but good different.

Aroma: 7  Color: 8  Taste: 9  Sweet/Bitter: 7/6

Midori Spring, Organic Ceremonial Matcha

Price/oz: $23.54 

Size: 1.06 oz

Price: $24.95

After learning what this was, I don't have anything to add, except I am happy to see I am noticing differences in tastes again.


Sample 24

Spring green powder with a light field scent. The dry powder tastes like unsalted butter. It is savory and dry. Mixed well. Foamed easily. I noted this in an earlier review, but as I move up in price, I am noticing how tiny the foam bubbles have become using only a kitchen whisk. I can only imagine how it might be with the proper tools. The tea color is the same deep thick green I have been seeing with the last few samples. Tasting this feels thick like syrup yet is very dry and savory.  It has kind of a lettuce taste mixed with much darker greens. Interesting. I would probably like this more with a little sweetener.

Aroma: 7  Color: 8  Taste: 8  Sweet/Bitter: 6/9

DoMatcha, Green Tea Ceremonial

Price/oz: $23.58 

Size: 1.06 oz

Price: $24.99

Sample 25

The powder is maybe just a tick darker than the last couple. The powder has a nut and hay scent.  The dry taste was butter and nuts with a bit of bite. Mixed easily but was a little harder for me to build a foam. The bubbles were larger but they did last. Nice green cup. Wow, there is almost zero bitterness here. Thick and creamy. Has a kelp and spinach taste. Not sweet, leans more toward umami. What bitterness I'm getting comes in at the end and lingers in the vegetive aftertaste.

Aroma: 7  Color: 9  Taste: 8  Sweet/Bitter: 6/9

Ito En matcha LOVE™ Classic

Price/oz: $24.29 

Size: 0.7 oz

Price: $17.00

I tried the matcha LOVE Ususha earlier and liked it a lot. Classic is another winner with me.


Sample 26

Deeper green but still vibrant spring. Dry scent is like the others lately - nuts and hay. The dry taste is butter and nuts with a touch of good bitter. Mixed well. Wanted to foam before the whisk even hit it. The tea is deep rich forest green. The aroma as the water was added jumped out at me. It was the butter and nuts along with an egg scent that was like something you would find in a mixing bowl getting ready for the oven. The taste is really hard to describe. It is definitely umami. No real bitterness in the sip. It is thick and creamy and mixed with the mixing aroma has me thinking batter (only the impression, it isn't that thick). Savory kelp maybe? The aftertaste is green and viney.

Aroma: 9  Color: 9  Taste: 8  Sweet/Bitter: 5/9

Ito En, Koto No Tsuki Matcha

Price/oz: $27.86 

Size: 0.7 oz

Price: $19.50

Another from Ito En that appeals to me. More because of the roller coaster sensory ride than necessarily the taste. I prefer sweeter matcha but then that's why I have sweetener.


Sample 27

The powder is duller than any since the first part of this set. The dry scent is paint fading to fruit. The dry powder is bitter but has a fresh green taste. Mixed well and held the foam. The color of the tea is a more drab deep green. The bitterness of the first sip will open your eyes wide. That said it is kind of an enjoyable bitter. Remember when you were young and you would pick dandelions and taste the stem? You would flinch, but always did it again. Yeah, it kind of tastes like that.

Aroma: 6  Color: 6  Taste: 7  Sweet/Bitter: 6/5

Epic Matcha Green Tea 

Price/oz: $28.27 

Size: 1.06 oz

Price: $29.97

While I kind of liked the intensity, it is simply too expensive in comparison with the others in this set. I did notice Epic says to use 1/2 tsp in 6 - 8 oz of water. I am using a full tsp in 4 oz, which is what the matcha websites recommend. My opinion is 1/2 tsp is plenty but I am too far down the road to switch lanes.


Sample 28

The dry powder is a tick darker and duller than the previous ones but is still spring green. The dry scent is fresh field hay and a touch of malt. The dry taste is nutty buttered popcorn. Mixed easily and held its foam. The color is an emerald green. Tasting I first notice the absence of bitterness. Its kind of sweet and vegetable. Leans umami. Very easy to drink. Either the flavor isn't as intense as most of the others or it doesn't have as much depth. Still, this is clean and refreshing

Aroma: 8  Color: 7  Taste: 8  Sweet/Bitter: 6/9

Aiya Ceremonial organic

Price/oz: $29.60 

Size: 1.0 oz

Price: $29.60

Well, interesting. This is the same matcha as Matsuri Matcha by Red Leaf Tea (sample 20 in part 1). My notes are similar. I did reverse the ratings on color and taste. Since they are the exact same tea, save yourself $10 and go with Red Leaf Tea Matsuri Matcha.


Sample 29

The powder is vibrant green and smells of hay and fruit. The dry taste is intense of unsalted nuts and buttery popcorn with maybe a hint of malt. Mixed well and held its foam. The color is jade green. Based on the intensity of the dry taste I was expecting bitterness but it isn't present. It is kelp and kale with melon undertones. Very fresh leafy aftertaste. Nicely sweet. I'd give this straight 10's but I'm still learning - maybe there is something more spectacular, but I'm not sure how.

Aroma: 9  Color: 8  Taste: 9  Sweet/Bitter: 8/9

KENKO Matcha Ceremonial Grade 

Price/oz: $30.16 

Size: 1.06 oz

Price: $31.97

Wow, we are getting into the nose bleed section with the price now. It is really, really, good though.


Sample 30

Solid deep summer green powder. The dry scent is filled with sweet summer hay and fruit. The dry taste to me is like most of the others - nutty, unsalted buttered popcorn, and a touch of malt. However, once a little water hit the matcha there was an explosion of malt released. Mixed easily and held the foam. The color is deep hunter green with that minty foam on top. Bitterness is absent. The taste is highly umami. Not sure what that means? Grab some of this. Or, I could try and explain what it means to me. While this is sweet, it tastes more dry and savory. It makes your mouth water for more. The flavor isn't overly intense, but it is deep. Deep green vegetables. Think kale and uncooked green beans. There is almost an earthiness to the rich taste. I'm willing to commit to 10's on this one.

Aroma: 10  Color: 10  Taste: 10  Sweet/Bitter: 7/9

Tanabata Matcha 

Price/oz: $34.99 

Size: 1.0 oz

Price: $34.99

My mouth is still watering from this one.


Sample 31

Hmmm. This tastes exactly like the previous sample. Checked the sample and I have the correct one. Willing to bet this is the same excellent matcha.

Aroma: 10  Color: 10  Taste: 10  Sweet/Bitter: 7/9

Aiya Premium

Price/oz: $48.00 

Size: 1.0 oz

Price: $48.00

Yes, this Aiya Premium is identical to Red Leaf Tea's Tanabata Matcha. The price of the Aiya version is almost more than my first car payment. You can save yourself $13 and buy the Red Leaf version.


Sample B

Nice summer green color. The dry scent was floral and vegative in the bag, once it hit the cup it smelled like bananas. The dry taste was dry, slightly bitter, nutty, and buttery. Whisked easily and easily held a good foam. The color is emerald/jade. The taste is slightly bitter and leafy. This actually pleasant enough. The trouble with it is it just doesn't stand out compared to the previous teas.

Aroma: 9  Color: 8  Taste: 7  Sweet/Bitter: 6/7

Yunomi Gokou Matcha

Price/oz: $24.43 

Size: 0.88 oz

Price: $21.50

Well, that explains it. This is half the price of the previous sample. It goes to show price is often a good indicator of quality (not always). This one is not bad in its price range but pails in comparison to the big dogs.

Sample C

Last sample people! Awesome; This smells of banana right out of the bag. Not heavy, in your face, scent. Just a light sweet fruity scent. The color is a beautiful summer green. The dry taste is very much just like sample B without the bitterness. I am willing to bet this is the same company as previous one but a higher grade. Whisked easily and made a nice lasting foam. Deep emerald green color. Tasting, I get savory, umami. I am not noticing any bitterness. There is almost a roasty note in the background. I like this one quite a bit. I would probably add a touch of sweetener. I don't think it needs it. I just like mine a little sweeter.

Aroma: 9  Color: 9  Taste: 9  Sweet/Bitter: 6/9

Yunomi Uji Hikari Matcha

Price/oz: $28.30 

Size: 0.88 oz

Price: $24.90

Ah, I was correct. Same company higher grade than the previous sample. This was a good one to end on as I enjoyed every drop.

Conclusions from Part 2

In the first half of this round there were two that stood out a little above the others for me - Manju Matcha from Red Leaf Tea and Matcha Love Usucha from Ito En.

Now moving on with part 2, man I'm having a tough time choosing. Without question, if you are willing to pay more, the top spot goes to Tanabata Matcha from Red Leaf Tea. It is the same as Aiya Premium at a substantial discount. It is extremely good.

I would also choose Matsuri Matcha by Red Leaf Tea over Aiya Ceremonial. Same tea at a reduced price.

So it turns out the sponsor did well in this round. I would also note that I like every sample from Ito En that I tried. Another personal favorite was  Uji Hikari Matcha by Yunomi.

Restating my conclusion from part 1, price and quality really do seem to run hand in hand with some notable exceptions. In part one, I hit a temporary saturation point at around $17/oz. At this point, and up to around $20/oz, it was really difficult for me to note the difference from one to the next. With this last half of the samples the difference in quality became apparent once again.

I have been told before that westerners generally won't pay the price for quality tea. I think it is the upfront price. $34.99/oz sounds pretty steep, but let's break it down. One ounce of matcha is roughly 28 grams. If you use 2g per cup, you'll get 14 cups per ounce. $34.99/14 = $2.50/cup. Still sound expensive? How much did you pay for that last mediocre cup you ordered in the coffee/tea shop? Probably at least that much.

By first deciding what you are willing to pay for a cup of tea, you can find the per ounce price by multiplying the per cup price by 14. You can then use your per ounce price and the Matcha Madness reviews found on this blog to help you choose.