A review of Matcha (Green Tea Powder) by Hamasaen
Date: 10/05/2012
Company: Hamasaen
Tea Name: Green Tea Powder
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region: Japan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/ Tea powder
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Green
Leaf Characteristics: Matcha smells very green, swampy wet rainy smells like dew. True scent/taste “umami” and marine algae smell.
- Steepings
1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 160 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes
Note: The smell of this green powder is like being at the beach when the tide has come in bringing with it the green algae/sea weeds from the sea. It is fresh smelling and the color is a lovely frothy green color.
I purchased with this matcha, a small wooden spoon for measuring and to spoon it with. I cut open the package as instructed to do and opened the air tight pouch revealing a very smooth greenish powder that smells like the sea; sea breeze in fact.
I take one teaspoon of the powder and place this in my mug and add some already boiled water to into my cup, just fill halfway. I take the spoon and begin swirl the powder with the water until it dissolves. I made sure it is all smooth and frothy with none of the powder caked into the mug.
What we have in color is a lovely frothy green and looks very inviting. I take a sip and I met with the astringency of the matcha; it is not bitter but more like green veggies without salt or seasoning. I continue to sip the tea until the astringency is not as noticeable with the first sip.
Overall, this Matcha is smooth and rich in texture and does not need anything else. It is good to enjoy alone, with milk or as a cooking additive.
