Genmai Matcha

Holeeee matcha! wheatgrass matcha that is. Very tart and fresh tasting, and in an odd way, I really understand what that comment below means about marshy flavours, in a springy fresh way.
I had a sample of this at the Toronto Tea Festival, and I think they made it a bit strong for my liking. Hmmm.
Anyhow, the festival was the highlight of my year. The pinnacle of my tea journey so far!
We were expecting maybe 800 people at most, but instead got blown out of the water with atleast 1200+
I am so impressed that Tao managed to pull together such a massive project, all in the first year. Next year, a bigger venue, more vendors, a broader range of speakers and samplings… wow! it is going to be big. I’m getting giddy thinking about it already :D

The little bean woke up at 5am today. I got her back to sleep and had just gotten back to sleep again when she was up again at 5:40, got her back down just in time to get the 13 year old up for school. Any second now, I expect to hear the creaking of the 3 year old’s door. I need something strong this morning.

I’ve been trying to cull through my overly eager tea collection and found this tin of rishi that I must have bought at the store when I got my breville and was buying any and all tea that looked interesting. Anyway, as I’m knee deep in a genmai matcha phase, it’s perfect timing. Except that its labeled best by nov 2012. Oh well.

It says to use 1 TABLEspoon per 8oz. That’s crazy! So in my 16oz mug, I put 6 tsp of tea. Steeped for a minute and boom! That S—- is strong! I even looked on their website to see if it was a misprint. Nope.

I like it a lot. It’s nice and toasty and the right amount of sweet for me (which isn’t much — in fact, my ultimate version of this tea would be a tad salty). But seriously, 1 Tbsp per cup means I’m going to blow through this already small tin, and considering I bought it at whole foods, I’m sure it wasn’t cheap.

Definitely glad I found it buried back there though. It was probably even better back in November!

I would have liked to see a bit less popped rice and a bit more matcha powder. I think gemaimacha should have a subtle marshy flavor, and a prevalance of pine notes derived from the matcha powder.

Tasted better than normal Genmai, to me. It must be the added Matcha that kicked the taste up a notch.

2nd infusion just tasted like regular Genmai, as most of the Matcha got washed away.

The union of Genmaicha & Matcha… IS GOOD. REALLY GOOD. My new favourite green tea!