865 Tasting Notes
(back logging) This came yesterday! I’ve been eyeing this for AGES (year, maybe more), but I’ve always had flavored matchas from 52teas on hand (and still do honestly), but several days ago I got a surprise in my e-mail inbox. Many months ago (probably close to a year) I inquired to make sure this was indeed just ginger and matcha. I’ve since gotten my question answered via Facebook and actually don’t even remember submitting the e-mail lol. Anyway, they said they had a glitch in their system and just now found my e-mail. As an apology they sent me a 10% off coupon code. Not wanting to waste it, I picked 2oz of this up.
This is my very first organic flavored matcha and my first fair trade matcha of any kind. This is actually the first FT matcha I’ve found.
I noticed that, like other flavored matchas, this isn’t GREEN although it is more vibrant than 52teas’ matchas. The typical grassy aroma wafts to my nose as well as the ginger.
I’ve used ginger water (i.e. dried ginger steeped in hot water) to flavor matcha before so I have some idea of what to look for and expect.
BAM! Yes, an Emeril quote lol. But that was my first reaction. The strong grassyness of the matcha hit me first (always nice in a flavored matcha), but running after it the ginger also hit me hard. I’ve never actually consumed dried ginger before and it has a harsh, almost medicinal quality. I never would have used “peppery” on my own to describe it, but when seeing LiberTEAS describe it as such, I completely agree.
I think I prefer steeping my own ginger then just adding the water to matcha, but this is an absolute must try for any ginger lover.
…The only thing I HATE is they say to steep it for 3 min… Incorrect steeping parameters are my biggest annoyance, but saying to steep matcha for a set period of time (which implies decanting upon the completion of steeping) is just stupid and tea companies should know better.
Backlog from yesterday. The store didn’t have the pink lemonade protein water so I went w/ Strawberry Kiwi. MUCH less sweet and I didn’t need lime juice (good thing since I didn’t add it lol). Tastes like strawberry juice. A definite must try for the strawberry lover. I’m even thinking of making this hot w/ half water half milk and adding cocoa powder as well as matcha… yes, I know. I’m insane.
Reason number 1246 I love tea… it makes talking about constipation less gross lol. Every once in a while my stomach gets stubborn- that’s what happens when you take 25+ pills a day lol. I saw this on Amazon so I decided to try it. Still really scared though so I decided to really doctor it up (therefor will not rate it yet. I steeped it for 10 min in 3oz water, added 1 tsp of organic peppermint leaf, steeped it for another 5 min, then added 5oz skim milk, 1 tsp cocoa powder, and 1 tsp matcha. Prepared like this it’s delicious… still not sure about plain though…
Um. Effective. Let’s just leave it at that. But not a “Ugh… I feel like I got shot in the stomach” effective. This is actually a really great option if you need a tea like this… especially if you’re like me and sweet cravings hit even when you’re not feeling well.
I have some of this (the non-choco version) for travel-induced tummy problems. I learned the hard way not to take it right before going into a long meeting though! :)
Really? This worked a little bit before bed but not really til I got up this morning even though I drank it in the afternoon.
Faster for me, actually! :)
Matcha OJ… still haven’t eaten…
Girl, you are obsessed with this stuff. I may have to get some sometime.
You are just NOW realizing I’m obsessed with matcha? lol
Oh no, I knew that. I meant this specific one.
Well, this is the matcha that I have now. I never have more than one unflavored matcha in my posession at a time.
Gotcha
Hungry, but indecisive. Matcha protein water it is. :)
I get like this often. Especially after grocery shopping. XD
I was wondering if you could recommend any other teas from Urbana? I’m putting together an order and I figured you’d be best to ask.
This is the only tea I’ve ever tried from them. Sorry. I know. Good, right? I just ordered 4 bags. That should last me 2 months.
It’s okay. =) Everything they sell looks good if not amazing. Do you want me to send you some samples? (Mostly whites and oolongs)
Sure! I love whites and most oolongs- as long as they aren’t roasty. I’m thinking some (or all) of these teas might be Rishi teas- I know Rishi has a Fire Ginseng and a Rose Malange. Their “Rio” herbal sounds weird, but yummy. If only “Unity” didn’t have licorice! I bet Passion Fruit Jasmine would be good iced.
I wondered about that too but their fire ginseng at least doesn’t have the rooibos that Rishi makes. Though that Absinthe tea is one of kind.
Mom asked if she could make me some tea. She never offers- even when I’m sick. So I took her up on her offer and had her make me a smoothie. 1 cup fresh pineapple, 2tsp matcha. That’s it. Very simple. And also REALLY good. Lovin’ this combo. It looks like slime, but who cares? lol :)
