My very first Red Leaf Tea order arrived yesterday, in it about four of the basic grade flavoured matchas. They’re good but I find that I enjoy them a lot more if I make them in a smoothie. It has the texture I’m looking for I guess, the texture resembling the Starbucks green tea frap I like so much, or one of the Booster Juice matcha smoothies. Otherwise it still tastes milky — and I hate the taste of milk.
It needs a little sweetening, I didn’t add sugar the first time and then I was trying to dissolve honey in this icy cold brew. You all know how well that goes. I also find that just straight up with milk only it is a little chalky. Once you allow it to settle it gets better, the chalkiness goes to the bottom of the glass. I can’t help but wonder of the higher grade is smoother — I hope so — but since this is my introduction to matcha it felt silly to spring the big bucks for the “better” stuff before knowing what matcha is all about.
Dissolved 1 perfect spoon in a few tablespoons of hot water. Added sugar and dissolved that. Shook the whole thing around 10 oz cold milk. Smells a little chemically but taste is ok, some faint bitterness at the very very back. Overall, I’d say matcha is here to stay.
Oh and… It is not as caramel-y as I expected. I think I like English toffee better but that’s a review all in itself.
I love using them for smoothies too, especially with strawberries.