For my reward for posting reviews to the Amazon UK site, I got to select three flavors of Matcha, in any base and flavor intensity that I wanted. Awesome prize, right? I thought it was going to be an amazing, ultimate custom blend of this Belgium Chocolate, Caramel and Cheesecake flavors in the black base, and thinking I was going to have the ultimate chocolate caramel cheesecake Matcha latte, but instead, Red Leaf Teas was even more awesome by sending them in their own, separate, individual packages so that I could try them each on their own before I mixed them up! I also like this because I can adjust the ratios the way I see fit.
The specifications for this Matcha are the Black base Matcha, which I previously reviewed here: http://sororiteasisters.com/2011/11/05/organic-black-matcha-from-red-leaf-tea/ and can be obtained in its pure form here: http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/black-matcha.html I then selected the Belgium Chocolate flavor at robust level of flavoring, which is available here: http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/belgium-chocolate-matcha.html I chose the robust level of flavoring with the black tea base because I figured with the stronger flavor of the black tea, I needed to have a big boost of flavor.
And this combination is amazing together. It tastes like hot chocolate, only better. Sweet, chocolate-y and rich … and the bold flavor of the black tea – which is slightly malty and smooth, with hints of a caramel-y undertone – and the robust chocolate create a very full-flavored bowl of Matcha. I tried it first prepared “traditionally” with hot water (using hotter water than I would with green Matcha, of course) and whisking it, and it tasted really good, but, I thought it could use a little creaminess to it, so I added a splash of milk (I didn’t warm it), and frothed the mixture with my hand-held frothing tool. It had a little bit of froth, not quite as much as I normally achieve with a green Matcha and a bamboo whisk… since I used my frother and since this is a black tea, I can’t figure out which change resulted in less froth, but, froth isn’t the only reason I drink Matcha so I’m not too worried about it.
The water-prepared Matcha has a slight perfume-y/chemical-y scent and taste, but with the milk, this taste is muted to the point where it is barely noticeable. Sure, I’d rather it not be there, but, I find so much that I DO like about this Matcha that I’m not going to dwell on the one thing that I do not. I look forward to the blending opportunities with this, as well as just drinking it on it’s own. It’s yummy!
PS: Thank you so much Red Leaf Tea for this amazing prize. I am so thrilled!
