Teas' Tea Matcha

Back in June, I ordered an Ito En Matcha Gift set from Amazon.com for about $30, that included a chawan (tea bowl), chashaku (bamboo scoop/spoon), chasen (tea whisk) and some matcha tea. I had no idea that the Tea’s Tea ceremonial grade matcha would be so good, and has quickly become my matcha of choice for usucha — or “thin/light tea.” I just checked out Ito En’s website (https://www.itoen.com/matcha-teas-tea-7-oz-can.html) and now they even have it on sale for less than $10 for a tin. A great deal, and now I see they even won an award for this Tea — I am not surprised!

I have to cans from PRD 03/02/2012.
My first experience with real matcha. I love it. I have been whisking it in 4oz hot water and then adding 8oz warmed milk and whisking with a stick milk foamer. I found it is better without sugar. I have been trying a sip or two of the tea just after is is whisked to get more used to the flavor. At first it tasted too bitter/grass/sour. At first i thought i needed to get used to it, but it turns out that if i add the right temp of water i love it. I like it whisked in water that is a bit cooler 120-145. 145 is the highest that i can go before i can’t stand it.
If you try this matcha and don’t like it, please try it again with a different water temp. break out the thermometer and take notes to see what temp you like.

For $9.50, this is a surprisingly good matcha. Not bitter, really no complaints at this price point, I would rate it 85 factoring in that it is such a bargain. I have had worse matcha’s that cost twice as much.

Good choice for a daily matcha.
https://www.itoen.com/loose-leaf-tea/japanese-tea/matcha-teas-tea-7-oz-can.html

(Again, for any matcha beginners, a bamboo whisk is required- you can use any wide ceramic or pyrex bowl in a pinch, but without the bamboo whisk it just is not going to dissolve or froth up, so it will not taste right)

I purchased 2 cans based on the reviews this got. I dont have a strainer so I used a technique I saw on the internet to dry whisk the match in the bowl prior to adding water. This worked famously to remove any clumps! After adding the water and whisking the matcha foamed up perfectly, the color was a dark green. The taste was amazingly smooth with no bitterness. The caffeine kick was amazing. this is a very good everyday usucha for a great price.