Too much food. I needed tea but felt too full to have anything with caffeine (it makes sense in my head – work with me). I had some of this thanks to takgoti and thought this sounded fun and pretty interesting for tonight. I’ve never head buckwheat tea, so this should be an experience. Whee!
Brewing, it smells like puffed wheat cereal. Sugar Puffs or something but without the sugar. After pouring, the tea keeps the smell of a puffed wheat cereal but the buckwheat bits in the pot smell a bit liked burned popcorn.
This brews up insanely light colored. Pretty much like when you get hot water out of a pipe that hasn’t been used in a while – the water from the spout seems clear but when it pools in the sink it has a bit of a brown tint. That’s what this tea looks like. But the smell is strong so I don’t think the light color of the liquor indicates faint flavor.
Oh wow. This tastes sweet which is totally surprising because I can’t smell any sweetness, just puffed wheat. The sweetness that comes across in the taste makes it actually taste like Sugar Puffs… or maybe the milk after you eat the cereal (but without the creamy milk texture).
Made hubby try some because, ultimately, he is my guinea pig. He said it reminded him a bit of popcorn and that he liked it because it was unique. He gave it 4 out of 5 stars.
I’m with him in that I don’t think this is something that I could have every day because it is very unique and different. But, I think it would be something I’d like to have on hand all the time just in case. Because this would totally fill any cereal snacking desire I had. Frankly, I find this tea fascinating. Weird but wonderful. Sadly, Maeda-en is out of stock (I just checked).
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So does it taste grain-liked or malted?
Definitely not malted, total grain. Full on puffed wheat cereal with maybe a little sprinkle of sugar or honey glaze.
Interesting, I’ve seen this (or teas like it) in the International Foods sections of various grocery stores but I wasn’t sure what it was like and was afraid of trying it without knowing (I’ve had some REALLY nasty surprises that way).
I think if you liked either puffed wheat cereal or genmai-cha you should give it a try. It tastes more puffed wheat (I know, how many times can I say that?) but the almost popcorn bit reminds me a some of genmai cha, but I just noticed that similarity when I poured water for a second steep.
I totally sent you this without trying it first myself. Yous guys are my penguins. [You know…how penguins push each other into the water to see if someone gets gobbled up by a seal/whatever first? I know, I watch too many nature shows.]
I think I might try it now. My stomach has stopped protesting quite as loudly and it sounds tasty.
I’ve had both (the genmai-cha most recently – mmm sushi) so it’s good to know I have something to compare the flavour to. :)
P.S. Never down a grass jelly drink – it’s like drinking liquid lettuce – blargh!
@takgoti: No seals in the water – you are good! I’m on my third steep now and made my mom tried it. She liked it!
@Jillian: Grass jelly drink???
People are sleeping in my house and therefore I cannot brew up a cup of tea that I desperately need. :( This sounds ridiculously interesting and delicious! I’m a fan of soba noodles. I’m really curious as to how this would taste.
Grass jelly drinks are disgusting! As is wheatgrass! BLECH.
@teaplz: That’s no fun! How dare they interfere with your tea addiction!
I’m a huge soba noodle fan too! Mmm, might need to have this next time I make soba!
@Takgoti, I’ve seen those leopard seals – they’d freak me out if I was in the water with them and I’m not a 20 lb penguin!
@Jillian Ew? That reminds me of these.
http://www.candyboots.com/wwcards.html
NASTY. To both of you. Yuck!
Ahh! It’s the Grass Jelly drink’s evil, purple cousin!
http://www.candyboots.com/wwcards/rosyperfection.html
Wow, I am beyond intrigued by this now. If only for the cereal comparison.
Be warned – it is seriously addictive!
Can it be found in specialty stores like their matcha?
No clue! Outside of Hawaii, I haven’t seen any of their products offered in stores.
So does it taste grain-liked or malted?
Definitely not malted, total grain. Full on puffed wheat cereal with maybe a little sprinkle of sugar or honey glaze.
Interesting, I’ve seen this (or teas like it) in the International Foods sections of various grocery stores but I wasn’t sure what it was like and was afraid of trying it without knowing (I’ve had some REALLY nasty surprises that way).
I think if you liked either puffed wheat cereal or genmai-cha you should give it a try. It tastes more puffed wheat (I know, how many times can I say that?) but the almost popcorn bit reminds me a some of genmai cha, but I just noticed that similarity when I poured water for a second steep.
I totally sent you this without trying it first myself. Yous guys are my penguins. [You know…how penguins push each other into the water to see if someone gets gobbled up by a seal/whatever first? I know, I watch too many nature shows.]
I think I might try it now. My stomach has stopped protesting quite as loudly and it sounds tasty.
I’ve had both (the genmai-cha most recently – mmm sushi) so it’s good to know I have something to compare the flavour to. :)
P.S. Never down a grass jelly drink – it’s like drinking liquid lettuce – blargh!
@takgoti: No seals in the water – you are good! I’m on my third steep now and made my mom tried it. She liked it!
@Jillian: Grass jelly drink???
People are sleeping in my house and therefore I cannot brew up a cup of tea that I desperately need. :( This sounds ridiculously interesting and delicious! I’m a fan of soba noodles. I’m really curious as to how this would taste.
Grass jelly drinks are disgusting! As is wheatgrass! BLECH.
@teaplz: That’s no fun! How dare they interfere with your tea addiction!
I’m a huge soba noodle fan too! Mmm, might need to have this next time I make soba!
@Takgoti, I’ve seen those leopard seals – they’d freak me out if I was in the water with them and I’m not a 20 lb penguin!
@Auggy, http://www.chinchin.com.tw/picture/cjdb.gif
@Jillian Ew? That reminds me of these.
http://www.candyboots.com/wwcards.html
NASTY. To both of you. Yuck!
Ahh! It’s the Grass Jelly drink’s evil, purple cousin!
http://www.candyboots.com/wwcards/rosyperfection.html
Wow, I am beyond intrigued by this now. If only for the cereal comparison.
Be warned – it is seriously addictive!
Can it be found in specialty stores like their matcha?
No clue! Outside of Hawaii, I haven’t seen any of their products offered in stores.