Cofftea

The perfect beverage to have w/ Wendy’s Asian boneless wings and a salad w/ Asian dressing! 4.5tsp/6oz water.

Must… have… mandarin matcha… I practically had to tear myself away from my mandarin matcha to have this for my 2nd serving of the day. Don’t get me wrong, this is amazing! Made it thick (1 scoop/3oz water) as a palate cleanser for dinner- Wendy’s Asian boneless wings! Smooth, thick, a little creamy, and grassy. Heaven.

Made for mom. 3g/8oz water.

This blend is brought to you by steepster! Thank you to TeaEqualsBliss for the inspiration to make a ginger peach tea and thank you to Ricky for giving me some of this as well as white peach which was my only other peach choice.

Ricky gave me exactly 3g. Enough for a perfect 8oz cuppa. I added 1.5g of ginger root. The raw leaves smell slightly of peach jello, but they also do have a distinct tea smell.

The taste is an equal balance of tea w/ hints of peach and ginger, although I do wish the peach was a hint stronger. I’m excited to see what additional steeps will give me and will definitely be buying a sample size of this for my own.

Woke up to mom making gingerbread coffee this morning so I had that 1st instead of my matcha. Turned out to be the most flat, flavorless coffee I’ve ever had, but it wasn’t weak or diluted. Unflavored coffees have more flavor than this one! Sadly my dad and step mom got me a bag of random coffees for Christmas so now I have just as much coffee as I do tea in the house. Don’t get me wrong, I love coffee- but I don’t drink it nearly as much as I do tea. Oh well. I cold brewed one of the bags so I can make dirty chai lattes. Terry drinks coffee so I think she might be pulling the “I get you what I like” card that my dad does and they both accuse me of…

I said I would be having a full bowl of matcha every day for the month of Jan. (Does anyone know if there’s a National Matcha Month?), but today I think I’ll divide that into 1 portion of thick matcha and then half a bowl of thin matcha because I really want to try this prepared thick.

1 scoop matcha/3oz water. Definitely thicker in constistancy, but still mixes well as it did when I prepared it thin although I do give it a little help w/ my chasen. When I remove my chasen from the matcha I see a single orange cell (or is it called a membrane?) stuck to one of the threads. Yes! Proof that real oranges were indeed used.

The flavor is definitely stronger, more concentrated. But it is not bitter, chunky, or gritty. This is no doubt due to the very fine texture of the matcha. This would be a wonderful starter matcha specifically for someone looking to prepare it thick. Whatever way you decide to prepare it, this matcha won’t disappoint you.

YAY!!! I’M THE 1ST TO LOG THIS!!!

1st some 52teas business:
~Price point: Amazing -$12.99 for 2oz matcha and NO SHIPPING!

~Shipping: Again FREE, but there’s no tracking code which is a – for me (you can have it shipped not USPS for a charge, but a tracking code isn’t worth $ to me)

~Delivery time: Again, it was free (not many companies don’t charge you shipping for a 2oz package costing $12.99) and yes it was winter (which includes Christmas), but I ordered this way back on 12/18 so 15 days (double the estimate I was given) is a little less than reasonable for me especially considering I thought the estimate I was given was already on the long side, but it may have just been a fluke and will give a more fair, unbaised, and accurate shipping rating when I make my next purchase.

~Free stuff (other than shipping): I loved getting their Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Tea pamphlet and even learned something new- Pu Erh is not a sub type of black tea like I thought it was, it is its own category. I also loved their How to Make a Fat Free Chai or Tea Latte! card (and bonus points for going health concious and putting "fat free).

~Steeping/Preparating directions: Anyone who knows anything about matcha knows that you do not steep matcha (which implies decanting). Both the website and the packaging state to steep matcha for 2-3min. Now I know, and you know, that the people at 52teas and Zoomdweebie’s actually do know their tea (I mean come on, you gotta be a genius to come up w/ a way to flavor matcha like this!), but steeping/preparation directions like this really shoot their credibility in the tea cup. It would also be nice, since it is matcha, to have the suggested amount in scoops and not teaspoons.

Now on to the review… which I have to admit that I’m selfishly going to regret posting this because I just know as soon as you read this everyone will make a mad dash to their website and order the rest. But… since they have reblended some teas (like their Maple Bacon Flavored Black tea which there is only 1 left in their 2nd batch), I’m praying that when it does run out (which I can promise you will be very shortly) they will not only come out w/ many other flavored matchas, but reblend their original. Ok, ok… I’ve stalled enough. On to the review.

Holy amazing matcha!!! The color is not a bright and vibrant green, but more olive and the texture is by far the finest of the 3 “raw” matchas I’ve seen… Although due to the choice of packaging it does get a little clumpy, but sifting it fixes this problem completely. The aroma is slightly sweet w/ a very mild orange sent.

I made this thin because I wanted a whole bowl (not only am I freakishly excited about this and it’s National Hot Tea Month, the wind chill is -30). 2 scoops in the bottom of my matcha bowl and 16oz of hot water poured over it.

Oh. My. Matcha! I can hardly contain myself! THIS FOAMS! I can’t even say that I got it to foam, because it foamed as soon as the water hit it. It’s certainly not latte or cappuccino foam, but there is definitely a thin seafoam green layer on top! I don’t think it needs it, but I give it a quick wisk anyway. And now for the taste… I just have to quote Michelle Tanner again… Yummy in my tummy! Smooth (almost creamy in texture actually), slightly sweet, slightly orangy. The matcha flavor itself isn’t as strong as other brands I’ve tried, but it is there. Maybe mix it 1/2 and 1/2 w/ an unflavored brand? But then will the orange be too light? Perfect.

Who should try this: Everyone! But specifically: Those that like to flavor their own matchas (this makes flavored matcha so much quicker), those that like sweet matchas (I do believe this is both sugar and artificial sweetener free except for the fructose in the oranges, but I could be wrong), those that want to make matcha ice cream or frozen yogurt, and those that are looking to try matcha on a budget (this is ~23 cents/gram- remember, no shipping to factor into the price per serving).

Note: The matcha flavor itself probably only earns a 98/100 in my book (I was hoping for a more savory matcha w/ an orange flavor, not sherbet-esk), but the other 2 are easily earned for: price, easy of preparation (little or no whisking needed when made thin as well as having it preflavored), ease of foam forming on top, and pure novelty.

P.S. Because I had a LOT to say and I just had a full bowl of matcha, this review took me 37 min to write!=D

I had this @ Subway today w/ my sub. Didn’t loook at the cup, but I think this might have both green and black tea in it. The tea itself is just your basic unsweetened iced tea, but this gets a 100 from me because it’s rare I can get unsweetened iced tea when I go out to eat.

I can’t even begin to imagine the gasps this post will get lol. Yes, I drank this. Dinner will be late tonite and I needed something more than just plain tea to hold me over so I decided to go w/ this because of the protein, fiber, and vitamin content. And yes, I did give it a 100. Not because I like it, but for what it is. If you like sweetened black iced tea, this is amazing if only for the added nutrition. How’s that for an unbaised review? I desperately wish they had a green tea version though… and unsweetened.

For those that aren’t big on matcha, here’s another drinking chocolate I just made:
1/3 c. milk (chocolate or plain)
3TB drinking chocolate mix
1 heaping teaspoon of your favorite chai
1 packet (individual serving) instant coffee
1TB spiced rum creamer (pumpkin spice would also be killer)

Heat milk til bubbles start forming on the surface and add chai. Steep for 5 min and strain. Add chocolate mix, instant coffee, and creamer. Mix completely, pour into your favorite bowl, and drink up!

This went down so good last nite I decided to have it again. This time, 1 scoop matcha/3oz water/1TB (.5oz) white chocolate coffee creamer. The creamer made the matcha creamy, and a lil sweet, but also a little savory. I’ve always considered white chocolate to be both sweet and savory, probably because it’s actuallly cocoa butter. Makes me think matcha would pair WONDERFULLY w/ white drinking chocolate (is there even such a thing?) because I think the white chocolate would let the matcha come thru more than a dark or semi sweet. The creamer and water were also in a good ratio- the consistancy was creamy instead of diluted cream. I hate when that happens… probably why I’m so picky w/ my chais.

Haven’t had this one in a while (in part due to being sick) so I decided to ring in the new year w/ this before spending some time w/ my Best Friend and then getting some sleep. I’m actually logging this before I drink it because I’m getting in bed right after I’m done. 3oz water/1scoop matcha. Yummm! Happy New Year!

From Ricky:) Hadda kinda wing the amount of leaf/water since the amount he gave me was for a ~7.5oz cup lol. I went w/ 8. Liquor is kinda yellowsh green and it definitely smells like dried apricot. The flavor on the other hand, is unfortunately lacking. But, this was enough to at least make me consider investing $2 for a sample of this. I’m thinking of steeping it using premium sencha parameters- 1.5tsp in 2oz of 160 degree water for 1.5min. Doing that will probably boost my rating quite a bit, but I think this’ll still be a “I’m really glad I tried this and would even buy a sample of it, but probably wouldn’t buy more than that or buy it more than once” tea.

White Chocolate Matcha Latte:
*1/4-1/3 cup water
*1/2-2/3 cup milk (liquid amounts depend on if you want a more concentrated 6oz cup or a less concentrated 8oz cup, I made an 8oz cup today)
*1TB- 4tsp white chocolate coffee creamer or shaved white chocolate (1TB for a 6oz cup and either 1TB or 4tsp for an 8oz cup, I went w/ 1TB)

Decided to try a latte since my cold is pretty much gone and the milk is fresh. Combined the water and milk and heated til small bubbles formed on the service. If you have white chocolate, I suggest using that and melting it into the milk and water double boiler style by heating the mixture over a bowl of boiling water being careful that the top bowl does not actually touch the water. I unfortunately don’t have white chocolate so I just went w/ coffee creamer. Added the milk and water to 1 scoop matcha and 1TB coffee creamer and whisked.

Not too bad considering until now the only way I drank milk was in an espresso latte and white chocolate really isn’t my favorite. No milk after taste (the only way I know how to describe it lol) like when I made it w/ pure milk. Maybe that was also in part to the white chocolate creamer? The white chocolate complimented both the milk and the matcha nicely. I think personally I’ll stick w/ my matcha flavored w/ herbal tisanes and drinking chocolate, but anyone who likes milk and white chocolate will love this!

Backlogging from this afternoon. Basic green bagged tea pretty much thrown into water of an unknown amount (but probably around 8oz) from an unknown source heated at an unknown temperature. Had this @ ihop with my… New York cheese cake pancakes!!! I almost flipped when I saw them on the menu. Last time I went they were only a special promotion. I hope 52teas comes out w/ more cheesecake flavored teas to celebrate the WONDERFUL decision to make them a permanent item. But in the mean time, any suggestions on what kind of tea to pair w/ these? Because I’m definitely going back soon:) If they come out w/ a cheesecake flavored matcha, I just might have to take my matcha bowl w/ me;)

Well, after my lucious drinking chocolate and my unexpected tea purchase I decided to finish my infusions of mecha that I started last nite. Infusion 2. Taking my aunt out for egg nog pancakes at Ihop later. She loves anything egg nog. To quote Michelle Tanner from Full House, I think this is gonna be a “yummy in the tummy” kind of day!

YAY! I’m finally well enough to make my matcha drinking chocolate that I wanted to have for breakfast Christmas morning.

3TB drinking chocolate mix and 1 scoop matcha in my bowl. 1/3 cup milk heated just to the point where small bubbles started to form on the top. Mixed completely. Do not use your chasen.

YUMMY! Rich, smooth, creamy, chocolatey… and way too much fun to drink hehe;) I do taste the matcha in the very back, but I’m thinking that might only be because I know it’s in there. I was hoping the matcha would come thru more due to the small amount of milk I used. Does anyone have a better recipe? Oh well. Even plain drinking chocolate drank out of a matcha bowl, especially for breakfast, is definitely a bright spot in my day.:)

Ok, what to have w/ my mecha? I don’t want anything too heavy incase mom wants to bring supper home. There’s that lettuce in there that should get eaten… A salad w/ carrot, cucumber, dried cranberries, roasted red peppers, pepper jack cheese, and croutons. But where’s the Italian dressing? Called mom- she put it up in the cupboard (it’s home made) when she cleaned so it’s out of my reach. Brilliant. I’m really picky about my salad dressing, but I’ll try the sun dried tomato and feta… and it’s actually good! Yay! And so is my mecha. Not the most lovely liquor- it actually reminds me of my cold, but it’s lovely in my stomach.:)

I’ve known this for as long as I can remember, but just got confirmation of a very important lesson- God gives you exactly what you need exactly when you need it.

Even though she’s sick, mom decided to go grocery shopping tonite. We had planned to have something for dinner that required grocery shopping (eggplant parmigana w/ homemade chard and herb pasta) until she got sick. So we were just gonna make due, no big deal. But then she decided at 5:30 to go which means dinner would be insanely late.

I was starved and, since I hadn’t had my daily matcha, I decided to have half a bowl to tide me over. Mom walks out the door and I prep my matcha. I no sooner get it whisked (still no foam dang it) and my mom calls. She’s not going grocery shopping. My grandpa (who has emphazema and Parkinson’s) got the h1n1 vaccine before Christmas and since has had trouble breathing (even though he’s been on oxygen 24/7 for years), sleeps almost constantly, and isn’t eating (which for him is like me not drinking tea lol) so my grandma called an ambulance to take him to the hospital and wanted my mom to meet her there. It’s not enough for me to be delt crap, but now my family? So I did the only thing I could do. Told satan to go back to where he belongs and found comfort in my matcha. If I had my matcha earlier in the day, which is what I normally do, I wouldn’t have had this comfort literally in my hands when I needed it most. I love God’s timing.

Whoa… kinda wrote a book here… sorry… If there’s anyone still reading at this point to apologize to. If people still are and if you pray, please do. And go drink some matcha from a fun bowl- it’ll make you smile even when life makes you scream. Although I can’t hold my empty matcha bowl too long or I’ll be tempted to throw it lol.

Now mom has my cold. Steeped her a 16oz cup extra strong.

Mixed w/ equal parts (1.12-1.13g) http://steepster.com/teas/adagio-teas/5407-irish-creme-nite-cap and steeped in 6oz water.

The liqour is not black as tar like a lot of black teas, but a pretty red/auburn. The aroma is definitely fruity and the flavor is a wonderful balance of fruit, chocolate, cream, rum, and unflavored black teas. A bit of rose would be lovely as well.

2.25g/6oz water. Eh, to me just your basic slightly sweet black tea. I don’t care for black teas normally but if black teas are your thing, I’m sure you’d give it a 70-100.

6oz boiling water, steeped 8 min, whisked w/ one scoop matcha in my matcha bowl.

Will things ever look up? I ended up wasting about a half hour of my time this morning just because people are ungreatful. On the upside, I’m feeling much better- especially after a hot bath. I had a bag of Get Relaxed! from the other day so I made the 2nd infusion (8 min, 6oz boiling water) and used that to make my matcha. Yum! I wish I could drink this all day.

2.25g/6oz boiling water. As soon as the water hits the leaves I can immediately smell the chocolate, YUM! Once steeped, the liquor is a dark reddish brown and it smells mainly of chocolate and black tea. When I taste it, as espected, I’m immediately hit w/ chocolate followed by the black tea and then a very faint rose taste that I wish was stronger. The almonds, vanilla, and rooibos don’t necessarily come across as a flavor, but rather as smoothness and sweetness. The only thing I can’t figure out is why there isn’t any strawberries in here, chocolate covered strawberries are very romantic.