52teas
Edit CompanyPopular Teas from 52teas
See All 1019 TeasRecent Tasting Notes
I wanted chai so I decided to prolong the life of my Mayan Chocolate Chai and drink this.
1tsp in 6oz (instead of the suggested 8) near (instead of full) boiling water.
I’m not surprised this chai is quite opaque, and unfortunately I’m not surprised at the light color (it is orange though, which surprises me)… I had 5 peanut butter chips in my serving and while it makes sure the peanut butter flavor is there- that doesn’t leave much space for tea or chai.
It smells like… pumpkin pie. Yeah I know weird. Especially since the raw leaf smells like peanut butter.
When I take a sip it tastes like peanut butter… I have to admit when I was trying to wrap my idea of a peanut butter chai, the only thing I could imagine was when peanut butter gives me indigestion and it burns coming up. And it vaguely reminds me of that, but it is definitely a peanut butter chai. I’m just not a fan of solo peanut butter though, it needs chocolate. Wait… crap… I spoke too soon. The 1st taste was great… but after that it just tastes like watery pumpkin pie (yes, pumpkin again)…
Frank, I can see potential w/ this. While I know it wouldn’t be as visually appealing, I suggest chopping the peanut butter chips to make it easier for the peanut butter, chai spices, and black tea base to be more evenly distributed.
Preparation
Finished off the sample AmazonV sent me with a little sugar added this time. I get the tiniest hint of peanut butter on the last part of the sip with the sugar added. It definitely made the strawberry jam jump out more. Upping the rating a couple notches for finding the peanut butter. Even if it might just be in my head.
Preparation
I followed the steeping parameters today and tried this again. It was a little better. I tasted the strawberry while the tea was hot, but the peanut butter never came to the surface for me. This tea isn’t one I’d waste, but I’m thankful for AmazonV’s thoughtfulness at sending me a sample, because I don’t think I could get through a whole 2oz of this tea.
I was delighted when I got my mail this evening as there was a surprise package awaiting from AmazonV! A sample of PBJ Rooibos was in there among others, and the first I decided to try.
I didn’t set a timer, but I know it was over 5 minutes, but not sure by how long. I tried a few sips hot, a few after a minute or two, and several sips throughout our 1 hour tv program, but I can’t seem to taste anything other than pure red rooibos.
I’ll follow the directions more carefully and then allow myself to rate this. Maybe it needs a set 7 minute steep to get flavors out of it.
This one makes me curious… I’ve had strawberry flavored teas that had jammy qualities, so I’ve wondered if this one does since it’s supposed to.
I hope so…I want to get some flavor from it other than the rooibos. I probably shouldn’t have tried making any tea tonight after the lack of sleep and amount of traveling I’ve done in the last week. Finally returned home tonight! Will try again with a better head on my shoulders and a timer.
That’s where no frills bagged comes in (at least for me), cuz for me no tea is so much worse than just average tea.
Yes, steep boiling 7+ minutes….hopefully today is better!
Backlogging. Last Tuesday.
The previous day, I’d read a tealog about a matcha smoothie made with matcha, banana, yogurt, and milk. It had been on my mind. So when I wanted something cool to drink that night, I made one. It was green, a funny colored green. And I could barely taste the matcha. I couldn’t taste much banana either. I think the ratio of ingredients was off. Too much plain yogurt. Unhappily, this was also the last on my Strawberry Matcha. I thought I’d have a single serving left afterward, but there wasn’t much left after I added it to the smoothie so I just used it all.
Unfortunately, the Cranberry, Apple, and Banana Matchas don’t sound very appealing to me. So I am matcha-less for now. And I don’t know how I’d feel about plain matcha. Plus the price. I think matcha is somewhat of a novelty tea for me.
Preparation
The other matchas are actually REALLY good- the bananan tastes just like banana runts.
It took me a couple of days to get my proportions right, I barely use any milk – just a splash for sweetness since it’s almond milk. I kind of eyeball it though, so I can’t be much help there…shame that was the last of it!
I’m kind of interested in the cranberry matcha…but banana runts hold NO appeal for me :P
Backlogging. Three days ago, late morning Saturday.
Overheated after the farmer’s market, I told myself if I took everything upstairs in two trips (extra exercise) instead of one (killing myself by weighing myself down with too much stuff), I could have a Strawberry Matcha lemonade and a quick cool down before I put all of the stuff away. Cool, refreshing, and thirst-quenching.
Preparation
Chrine’s First Comment Contest – Contest cloeses Wednesday night!
Now that I’ve tried all four teas from LeafSpa, I am paying it forward by sending a sample of each to someone, or two, who comments on any of my tealogs now through next Wednesday, the 4th of August. I will select randomly and I will include this messsage as the first comment on each of my tealogs until then. The teas are: Darjeeling Goomtee, Blink Bonnie, Kenchajangha, and Honeybush Apple.
Here I go again…would love to try something new. :-)
I would too!
(And I almost forgot) Backlogging — 2 of 2 matchas from this past week.
I decide to have an alcoholic drink while taking a cool bath. I think light rum and lemonade. I think light rum and Strawberry Matcha lemonade. Could it work? Will it work? It works! It tasted like Strawberry Matcha lemonade with just a hint of rum. Ever so drinkable.
Preparation
(And I almost forgot) Backlogging — 1 of 2 matchas from this past week.
Having a so-so OJ drinking experience one afternoon. Will Strawberry Matcha make it better? Not so much. Could not taste the strawberry, could barely taste the matcha. A waste of good Strawberry Matcha.
Preparation
Hmmm this makes me really sad. What ratio of matcha/OJ did you use? So sorry for you matcha fataliTEA. :(
1 cup OJ, 1 rounded tsp of Strawberry matcha. It wasn’t bad. I just could barely taste the matcha. I suppose I should have made it clearer in the tealog that I wasn’t liking this OJ very much before the addition of the matcha. I suspect it was the OJ’s fault.
That may be, cuz I use one flat tsp and can still taste both the matcha and strawberry. Sad day!
I used up the last of the lemonade making a Strawberry Matcha lemonade yesterday. I used even more lemonade than the last time and again I could taste the matcha and the strawberry more than when I’d used less. Why that is, I don’t know. I need to buy more lemonade now as I’m addicted to the Strawberry Match and I’m not sure I could drink it made with the water and milk combo I like for it hot in this heat. I’m also quite happy that upon further inspection of the interior of the pouch I’ve found that I still have at least 3 servings left.
Preparation
Oh no! I only have 2-3 more portions of Strawberry Matcha left. I don’t know what I’ll do then. (Frank, you HAVE to reblend! Or do more matcha blends!)
Made a Strawberry Matcha lemonade after dinner. I use more lemonade than usual and oddly I could taste the matcha and the strawberry more than before. The best one I’ve made yet.
Preparation
Backlogging. Last Tuesday mid-afternoon.
Homestead Creamery makes non-homogenized milk and liquid dairy products in glass jars that can be returned for $1-2 that we buy occasionally at the Earth Fare (our regional organic/natural grocery). We usually buy raw milk from the farmer’s market. But I digress. When we saw Homestead Creamery lemonade priced quite cheaply compared to their dairy, we had to try it. It was good, but not too lemony, tart, or sweet. I knew it would make a good Strawberry Matcha lemonade and it did! I could taste the matcha, the strawberry, and the lemonade. Indeed, I’m afraid with the heat here lately that this will be how the remainder of the Strawberry Matcha is drank.
1 cup lemonade. 1 tsp matcha.
Preparation
this sounds yummy
raw milk…scary but worth it. :)
Yeah, I was scared of it for months after the husband first started buying it. I’d try small sips of it or use it in coffee if we were out of half and half. But it took me forever to start using it in smoothies and on cereal sometimes (I usually use soy milk instead of normal milk).
Yesterday I woke with a very slight headache still. I comforted it with Strawberry Matcha and Strawberry Matcha made me happy. I think I’m done tinkering with my preparation. Just the right amount of matcha and just the right amount of creaminess for me.
>> 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp matcha. Done tinkering. <<
Preparation
Read a tealog for Strawberry Matcha. Wanted Strawberry Matcha. Drank Strawberry Matcha (also yesterday).
Getting closer. I think I’ve got the right amount of matcha. But I wanted a bit more creaminess. So I’ll try 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup water again. Then I think I’ll have it. I’m bumping the rating up. I’ve definitely decided this tea is good.
1/3 cup milk, 2/3 cup water, 3/4 tsp matcha.
Preparation
My morning Strawberry Matcha latte – oh wait, you thought you were reading a post by Cofftea there for a sec, didn’t you? (Thanks for the newly growing addiction btw, Cofftea.) As I was saying, my morning Strawberry Matcha latte recipe was further tweaked today and further tweaking is still to come.
I decreased the milk slightly and double the matcha today. Made in a sauce pan on the stove top, today I used a whisk again, instead the spatula that I had used yesterday because I was concerned about clumping on the bottom of the pan, and it FROTHED slightly. I wasn’t expecting frothing at all. So cool!
The color was still creamy but the shade of olived green was darker and the Strawberry Matcha taste was increased, which I found to be better and even more drinkable. But I still want more matcha taste!! Same as yesterday, I immediately wanted another cup. But reminded myself to conserve the matcha.
So tomorrow I’ll up the matcha by another 1/4 tsp but leave the milk to water ratio the same. I am thinking if I continue to want this this much once the novelty of a new tea has worn off, I’ll be ordering more.
2/3 cup water, 1/3 cup milk, 1/2 tsp matcha.
Preparation
So did you get much strawberry taste out of it, or was it just matcha? My own order came in today so I’m curious, matcha newbie that I am. ;)
I’m definitely getting the strawberry. I got the husband to take a sip of this one and he thought it was more strawberry than matcha in the beginning. He took another sip towards the end of the cup and could taste the matcha though.
I liked my Strawberry Matcha so much yesterday that I had to have it again today.
At first, I was feeling like an oolong this afternoon. Then I was reading tealogs on here and read several for yunnans and wanted the TIger. Then I thought Strawberry Matcha, then the Tiger afterward. But it got too late in the day to have the Tiger.
Back to the Strawberry Matcha. I was intrigued to try it with a bit of milk yesterday. Thinking about making it tea latte style prompted me to want to make it right then so I did. I heated the water and milk in a small sauce pan on the stove then added in the Strawberry Matcha. I expected a creamy version of the dark olive green but it was milky colored with a hint of green. The smell was much lighter. The taste was milky smooth with the green essence that is matcha and a strawberry flavor. It was oh so good and while being a mellow soothing cup to enjoy, it had a nice perking effect to it.
When thinking about making another cup of tea after lunch, all I wanted to do was make another of these. But I don’t want to run though my matcha too fast and I didn’t want too much more dairy today. I’d already had a yogurt and too much diary can upset my stomach. So I settle for promising myself a cup for breakfast tomorrow.
Next time I will try either a bit less milk, perhaps 3/4 water and 1/4 milk, or a bit more matcha, perhap 1/3-1/2 tsp. The taste was so good but it could have been a bit stronger.
1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup water, 1/4 tsp matcha.
Preparation
At least this preparation isn’t my cuppa lol. I limit myself to 1 serving a day as well- especially since I want to learn how to prepare matcha more authentically. Sad :(
I think you just need to purchase your matcha in bulk. lol
Haha I could hoard it, but I hate to purchase more than 1 package, at least from 52teas, because it’s so limited and I want to give other people the chance to try it. That and now I’m finding more and more flavored matchas (I thought 52teas was the only one) so I don’t want to be tied to the same flavor for too long:)
If you’re feelin the matcha latte, you should try these
http://www.lupiciausa.com/v/static/monthly-magazine/1004-p2.html
I hated matcha the first time I tried it. It was uber BITTER, foul, and disgusting. I couldn’t even bring myself to rate it because I didn’t want to do that to 52 Teas.
I’d been thinking about the matcha since then. I was sad I didn’t like it at all. I had wanted to like it. I’d even thought about trying it again on a few days but pushed it off when the time came. Finally, yesterday evening I gave it another go.
I followed Cofftea’s recommendation using a very rough conversation from weight to volume. I figured it would at least be a place to start. All was pretty much the same as far as smells and looks until my first sip. ??? Was this the same tea I used the first time? I CANNOT believe the difference in taste using 1/4 the amount of matcha and nearly double the amount of water. I had thought no matter what I did it would still be horribly bitter.
The Strawberry Matcha was smooth, light, definitely green, and strawberry. Like “Hey! I’m GREEN! You want to make something of it?”. Unlike the smell, the strawberry wasn’t kiddie breakfast cereal marshmallows. It was distinctively strawberry and I could noticeably taste it. Last time, I could barely tell it was there. It was a little weak and there was lots of matcha sediment towards the bottom so maybe I need to whisk it more or perhaps use a bit more matcha. I have rated it but I suspect the rating will go up as I refine how I like it.
So complete 180. Matcha is good!
1/4 tsp in 8 oz water.
Preparation
On one hand I think I need to just stop reading these cuz I’m so upset mine still is not here- but on the other hand I’m ABSOFRICKIN UBBERLY EXCITED that you figured out a better ratio!:)
Chrine, I didn’t hate my S.M. the second time around either. SO I’m still on TEAM CHRINE!! Lol
So glad that you figured out the right ratios!
Yours STILL hasn’t come?? It’s nearly two weeks now. It needs to come! I want to read your tealog on it and see how it compares to other matchas. I’m thinking positive thought for a Wednesday arrival!
I know! I was so excited too. I’m trying to convince my husband to try it again. He’s extremely skeptical. I made some for him the first time I made it and he thought it was awful.
lol
GO TEAM CHRINE!! MATCHA SUPERSTARS!!
Chrine… I’m VERY upset w/ 52teas… and at this point I don’t care if Frank reads it here or not. I’ve placed 3 orders w/ them and they have all taken 2 weeks. I’m in WI. There’s no way that should happen. The reason he gave for my previous order being so late was because of a computer problem or something… but that was ONLY after I complained… he said he was trying to get the problem fixed “before anyone noticed”… um… HELLO! It’s been two weeks, I’m gonna notice if my tea isn’t here. So I’ve been dupped, decieved, and taken for stupid. And all I got was an apology that, from as much as I could tell online, didn’t sound very sincere. I do realize that my matcha was free (I won their contest), but that’s no excuse for the crap I’ve gotten from them. I placed another (and most likely my last) order on the 8th, so we shall see how long that one takes.
P.S. sharing matcha w/ your special someone is an awesome experience!:)
Chrine, Was it just me or did you feel like this tea might be okay cold like maybe iced? Call me crazy and maybe it’s the strawberry that has me thinking it may not be bad iced.
Oh and uh GO TEAM CHRINE!!
I might have to try this tomorrow!
Do it Ricky! Torture me!
Well that was the idea ;)
It shouldn’t have to be that way, but that’s the only choice cuz you should not deprive yourself.
Haha, you’ll get yours soon, don’t worry! Just have some Mandarin matcha instead in the meantime or grind up some Tencha =]
I’m getting low on my mandarin so I’m trying to ration it. And I have no matcha mill so I steep and decant my tencha.
Cofftea – Don’t get mad at me but I think what you have is a case of Matcha Envy! hehe
SoccerMom- oh I always have matcha envy! I will be the very 1st to admit that. But this is case is just me being pissed at a company:)
Okay Cofftea I’m sorry to be the one to call you out on this but why is it okay for you to say pissed (which doesn’t bother me BTW) but you won’t order A&D because it has “Damn” in the name. I’m only asking because I’ve noticed that you’ve said you won’t buy A&D a couple of times because of the name yet I notice that you curse too.? Am I missing something about A&D product labeling. I would be mad too if my tea took two weeks to get to me but most of my tea orders take like 9 days anyway.
Dear Ms. “Cofftea”,
As I told you via private message earlier yesterday, I do not know what happened to your package. I am 100% positive that it shipped out on the same day with the first big batch of Strawberry Matcha orders. Apparently, it has been lost by the USPS, which is not my fault, however, (as I stated in my PM) we are going to send a replacement package to you right away. I am sorry you have had to cope with this inconvenience.
I am also sorry you feel the need to insult me (when you insult my business, you insult me). I take pride in what we do here at 52teas. I think we provide some of the best and most unique tea blends on the market. We are a small business, and frankly, we do not have the resources that some of our competitors have to spend on order processing and fulfillment. Sometimes I drop the ball; I am human, it happens. All I can do is try to do better the next time. But to say that we have duped you, deceived you, or taken you for stupid is hurtful in the extreme as is intimating that my apology for your inconvenience was somehow insincere.
Somewhere along the line, people are being taught that the nastier we can be about a situation, the better results we will get when it comes to resolving the problem. Well, maybe this is contrary to good business sense (and you can insult me for this too), but I don’t work that way. If you sincerely believe that my motives are so evil as to require such a public verbal scourging, then perhaps you shouldn’t order from me any more.
Don’t get me wrong, I need customers. But I would rather go out of business than have customers who assign such terrible motives to me. I have been working at this business for three years now. I have used up all of my savings and borrowed every penny I could get. I haven’t paid myself one thin dime. But I am still doing it—because this is what I love. I do it because I love reading these reviews on Steepster and knowing that people are enjoying our teas all over the world. For you to say that we have duped you, deceived you, or taken you for stupid makes me seriously question why I am doing this.
Frank, I’m sorry you feel that my stating facts is insulting you or your company. Perhaps then you should change your practices so my statements are no longer fact. Maybe you should question why you’re doing this. It’s odd that I seem to be the only customer that has had several poor experiences with your customer service (except for my groundhog order where a computer glitch which you tried to hide from your customers delayed my order… I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing… If it is truely the fault of USPS (except when you have computer problems whether you hide them or not), then perhaps you should speak to someone there about it. My advice from a business stand point would be to start giving tracking numbers- that way you know and the customer both know exactly who is to blame for delayed/lost packaging.
Be nice children ;)
@SoccerMom she refuses to purchase from A&D due to a religion thing. Nothing wrong with that. People have their beliefs.
@Frank Sorry, great post, but I just laughed when I read the word Frankly. Frankly, Frank, sorry, bad joke. It was just funny.
Actually Frank, I recall you use stamps.com to ship out a package. Tracking #s for first class packages are only 50 cents more. Why not add an extra option to let them have it if they so choose to.
Ricky, I do not appreciate being refered to as a child. I am simply stating facts and defending myself in the most polite way possible, but this is not a pleasant situation and my emotions are not positve.
It was a joke, did you not see the smiley face. =]
Some things are not funny no matter if you add it or not, I view it as an insult. (Just ask Jason, I’ve gotten in trouble for the same thing).
Cofftea ~ Does your boyfriend share your love of tea?
SoccerMom ~ Hmm, I don’t know what I’d think about it iced. I’ve be interested to read your tealog about it if you tried it though! I did think a splash of milk might be good in it.
Ricky ~ TEAM CHRINE says you should try some Strawberry Matcha today! TEAM CHRINE firmly believes you will enjoy it.
lol @ matcha envy!
Chrine, not so much- just sweet tea.. and you know my personal opinion of sweet tea lol. I bought his mom the decaf (which is really herbal… grrr) adagio sampler plus some extra decaf samples. Thanks for reminding me, I need to find out what she’s tried and how she likes them. I’m hoping I can convert Grant as easily as I converted my ex:)
And Ricky- try it the plain way… aren’t you w/ LiberTEAS in that easier is better? A matcha smoothie/latte is too much work!=D
I never thought I’d see this day…
A smoothie/latte is not too much work – but additional gadgetry would be required to make a smoothie or a latte, so I would not prepare a smoothie or latte for myself on a regular basis. But I do occasionally prepare these things for myself when I want to.
It’s not just that it’s extra work, in fact, that is the smallest of the issue. It’s that I keep the extra gadgets stored away… not on my countertop for easy access. We have limited kitchen space and I have three other people in my household, not to mention that a good part of my kitchen space is used for my business. I don’t think it’s very fair to have ADDITIONAL tea gadgetry everywhere you look. My family lives here too, and I’m the only one using the tea kettle.
And WHO said tea drinkers were boring??? We got drama too. :)
Tracking is now availble for your 52teas orders:
Thank you so much 52teas! Are plans to have it available for Manteas as well? Possibly for free since there’s no place to add "STEEPSTER for a $1 off our order like you have generously provided at 52teas?
LOL. “Give an inch…” I’ll see what I can do with Manteas. Running out of time today. Too much work to do. Just finally got the email newsletter trivia challenge resolved (check your inboxes—someone is going to be happy), and I STILL desperately need to update my 52teas In-Stock page. (I’m so far behind.) And I have packages to take to the post office (Including yours, Cofftea—you should have your tracking number in your email inbox (tho it hasn’t been scanned yet)).
I don’t see it as the “give an inch” addage- I see it as you should give the same (good) customer service to all your customers no mater what website they order from. I won’t have the $ or the space for my 1lb Mayan Chocolate Chai order any time soon so it won’t affect me personally if you don’t get around to it today- it is, after all, mid afternoon. “As soon as is convenient” works for me. I want that chai, but I don’t want risk anything happening to it so I probably won’t purchase it before tracking is available. Tracking recieved, now just waiting til it gets in the system. Thanks:)
@SoccerMom Life would be pretty bland without drama in it :D Think about all the drama movies that wouldn’t exist!
Ricky, I disagree. If there were no drama life would be a happier place.
Chrine- your positive thinking didn’t work. :(
@Ricky I do like (watching) drama after all I’m totally addicted to The Real Housewives of New York. I mean who couldn’t not like drama and like that show.
o.O whistles
Disheartened after my first experience with matcha, I did not feel up to writing a tealog for Strawberry Matcha last night. I think I can safely say that matcha is not my cup of tea, which makes me frowny-faced since I was so excitedly looking forwards to this tea arriving and a bit surprised since I’ve more than liked all the other new-to-me tea types I’ve tried.
Sight
Powder: Light olive.
Tea: Dark green, slightly olived.
Smell
Powder: Strawberry marshmallows in kid’s cereal or strawberry Nestle’s Quick.
Tea: Less strong, strawberry flavored syrup (like they use in coffee drinks).
Taste
Powder: (Yeah, I tasted it.) Not much taste, a bit bitter.
Tea: BITTER! Strong, strong essence of green tea, like green tea concentrate. I can catch a hint of strawberry. Not enough to be able to tell if it’s as fake tasting as the smell or if it tastes closer to real strawberries.
I don’t think I’m going to rate this tea. I’m clearly not a matcha fan. So I have no idea how this one would compare against other matchas. And I don’t think it would be fair to rate a tea company badly because I ended up not liking a type of tea I’ve never tried before. I will try it once more to see if it grows on me at all, which I doubt. And I might try latte-izing it like Sophistre did. But I imagine I’m going to be offering the rest of it to someone here on Steepster in the near future.
Edit – I forgot to put in that my preparation method was 1 tsp in 5 oz water.
Preparation
Don’t feel bad. Matcha is not for everyone.
I find a scoop (about a gram) in 8oz water to be light, creamy, but still a bit grassy and vegetal like you’d expect. Or at least I enjoyed the mandarin matcha that way. It could get a bit chalky in texture if you don’t use enough water.
I just got some of this same matcha the other day, but haven’t prepared it yet. Think I’ll try it tomorrow based on Cofftea’s suggestion.
Matcha is not for chrine. =)
Cofftea ~ If 1 gram is about 0.21 teaspoons, than I used WAY too much matcha. (I know that’s an inexact weight to volume conversion but I don’t have a scale.) So I’m going to try a 1/4 tsp matcha to 8oz water. Possibly tonight after dinner.
Different matchas have different densities so 1g may be more or less of a percentage of a tsp.
I’m still thinking that might be closer to what you drink though? And therefore a better representation to what matcha should taste like than what I did before? It’s definitely quite a bit less than 1 tsp in 5 oz.
This might be a really good matcha to try with yogurt (as Cofftea suggested in another post).
Now… I think I want some Matcha. Two days in a row… hmmm…
LiberTEAS… the matcha flavor in yogurt is very faint so it’s my personal opinion that I wouldn’t want to waste this one.
And plain yogurt is already kind of tart. I think the flavor of the matcha might be lost in vanilla or strawberry yogurt, like cofftea said. Or you’d have to use quite a lot and then you’d be all hopped up on caffeine. Unless you want to be hopped up on caffeine.
It came in the post today! I have not had it yet. But I just had to tell you guys it was here. I’m going to go have a shower then have a cup before I make dinner. I hope the yum level is close to the level of excitement at purchasing and receiving it.
Steep Information:
Amount: 1 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 1 zarafina cup filtered water
Tool: Zarafina black-loose-medium
Served: Hot
Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: toffee, chocolate, tea
Steeped Tea Smell: not much, put my nose in it i get sweet black tea
Flavor: weak, black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: sweet, toffee
Liquor: translucent orange-brown
Perhaps I should have done strong instead of medium?
Post-Steep Additives: none, should have added some sweetener but this was sip taste, CHUG and run to work
Resteep: Zarafina black-loose-strong
weak, bitter, astringent black tea, chugged it luckily
Hopefully it’s better next time
images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/52teas-loose-leaf-black-tea-heath-bar.html
I, too, was MASSIVELY disappointed w/ the flavor of the tea considering I wanted to eat the raw leaf w/ a spoon lol.
What a disappointment! 25. I love heath bars and Skor. My husband and I have debated which one is better and then (more than once) have purchased both and did taste comparisons and we thought skor to be better.
SoccerMom… I have absolutely no clue what happens between the scent of the raw leaf and the flavor of the decanted tea… it was my 1st 52teas disappointment. It is a very good sweet black tea- but it doesn’t live up to its name.
Skor? never seen them here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skor
There very good. It’s sounds like you like Heath bars not the tea but the candy bar so I think you’d enjoy Skor.
Okay I’ll admit it I’m a virgin. A matcha virgin that is :) that is until today. I was so excited to get in my 52Teas order so that I could try this and I researched how it was to be prepared and all I can say is that I think I am on Team Chrine on this one.
I prepared it according to Wiki (One flat teaspoon to 2.5 ounces of water) all I can say is that I don’t think I am going to end up finishing this bowl. I seriously think this is an acquired taste. I can appreciate foods/drinks that are acquired tastes I mean I love raw oysters, boiled crawfish but I don’t see myself acquiring a taste for this ANYTIME soon.
It is strong like BLECH what was that, strong!!!!!!! I do pick up on the strawberry and that was the part that I think I liked. I am going to hold out on rating this tea in order to try it latte style and to try much less matcha to water ratio.
In the words of my son’s teacher DO NOT DO RESEARCH VIA WIKI. :)
Go TEAM CHRINE!
PART TWO: (My Second attempt at Matcha)
I would have posted the picture from flicker here __________________ but my 14 year old still has not taught me how to do this. LOL I can post pictures, send pictures I don’t know why I cannot paste a link here?! (aggravated) BTW I also have my after picture up on flicker of my before/after tea cupboard cleanout.
Anyway it’s round 2 Me (Soccermom VS 52Teas Strawberry Matcha) yesterday depending on how you look at it Matcha might have won it kicked me in the mouth and I threw it down the drain! Today determined to tangle with this wild drink and win I made another bowl of it and followed Shanti’s advice I started out with way less than a teaspoon and about 8 ounces of water. Did I mention I love the strawberry smell from the pouch? Well I do. I do not have exact measurements of anything used today I eyeballed it I didn’t have time to put on my fighting gloves in other words measure. I had to look this tea straight in the eye and try to intimidate it. I definitely did better this round as I didn’t get punched in the mouth like yesterday but instead we are fighting a fair fight Shanti’s advice was like having Freddy Roach in my corner I’m forever grateful for it. It tastes nice and mild actually I don’t know if I’ll be craving this but I wouldn’t mind stepping back in the ring for another round or two with this fruity but strong competitor.
You must not have seen my wiki matcha fail… just add more water til you can drink it.
Will do next time.
I think the 3 scoop measurement on wiki is accurate… but if I go by weight it’s actually 7! You could start w/ 1 scoop in 3-8oz of water and either increase the matcha or decrease the water till you get a good ratio you like.
Oh, I wiki everything for the quickness of it all! However, I say the same thing to the kiddies ‘wiki does not equal research’ when they are homework-ing. Hehehe now that I write it and look at it, sounds a bit double-standard-ish. But, then again, they also google everything!
I always use wiki…:)!
i use wiki for things i would ask a neighbor, for things you must have right i use encyclopedias or other things i can blame for my wrongness if needed
Matcha virgin here, too. I’m saving myself until I get up the guts to whisk…
I love it Morgana, that sounds really wrong.
All these comments are making me laugh! AmazonV – I agree! credible accountability is a must!
Morgana- All I can say is use lots of water, my matcha to water ratio was not to my tasting. Next time I’m going to try at least 8 oz of water to one flat teaspoon and work my way up from there.
Woo, matcha! I have three pouches of Mandarin left, so I didn’t order this one. But my tip is to try 1/2 to 1/3 of a teaspoon of matcha in 4 to 6 ounces of hot but not boiling water at first…as you get more used to it, you can start increasing the amount of matcha. But yeah, 1 teaspoon in 2.5 ounces of water is intense, especially if its a low grade matcha like the kind 52teas uses (I presume).
Shanti, Thanks so much for the experienced advice. I will try this method, are you the one (Shanti) that I read about in Ricky’s post that stole all the Mandarin Matcha?? :)
Yes, that’s me :) Or, actually, my evil alter-ego that swoops in an buys too much tea, Shantea haha :)
LOL
I tried 1tsp of powdered sencha in 6oz cold water (8x stronger than they suggest). It was, of course, VERY strong- but by no means undrinkable, helped by the addition of 2TB lemon juice. I also know that this is not matcha, but I thought I’d throw that out anyway.
Seems we’re all confused as to how to prepare this matcha ;)
I’m going to turn this into a latte next time, hmmm or make some ice cream with it? Hmmmm…..
No, I just think everyone likes it a little different. And I’m no help cuz I don’t measure w/ a tsp. lol. It’s funny, I don’t like matcha and milk, but I’m TOTALLY grooving putting some of the this on chocolate frozen yogurt. And yes I know “grooving” sounds really stupid, but hey matcha makes me act weird lol.
now i am nervous eyes matcha perhaps I’ll start with the yogurt plan first?
Matcha + Milk, delicious. Matcha + Chocolate milk sounds strange to me =P
Matcha + frozen yogurt… hmmm… now that’s a plan ;)
AmazonV, you could- it’s up to you. But don’t be nervous. Ya know… LiberTEAS is gonna shoot me lol, but are people having problems because they’re using a teaspoon to measure it? I use a matcha scoop and have very few matcha fails. Just curious.
Ricky, I got the matcha + ice cream (or frozen yogurt) idea from Den’s! (still waiting for their e-newsletter)
Ok, correction- I’ve only had one matcha fail (pertaining to ratio of matcha/water)… and that was completely wiki’s fault lol.
We’re going to start a Teaspoon Matcha club, who needs the bamboo scoop!
Hmm, I have to look that up on Den’s website when it gets warmer again.
Ricky… Maybe more people do? I’m not about to tell people how to make their matcha (although I do think a chawan or bowl of some kind just has to be done lol), but it does seem as if people who are displeased w/ it or have ratio problems are using a tsp. Just an observation. At least it’s a cheap accessory/gadget.
I got a matcha banana smoothie/shake from garrett yesterday that sounds awesome – soon as I find all my blender pieces, I will let you know how that goes! http://steepster.com/Shojikoto/posts/35069
Yea, teaspoon club! we’ll crack this case – no way am i investing in more tea gear….i don’t have anywhere to put it! ok and i went a little tiny bit crazy with orders last month, just a little…
lol, that’s actually what I like about scoops- ~$5 accessory that can fit in pretty much any nook and cranny. Very portable for travelling. I’ve noticed 52teas matchas (at least the one I’ve tried) don’t need much whisking so measure, dump, swirl, and drink:)
Where on Steepster can you find a Steepsterite who hasn’t gone just a tad bit crazy in the last month or so on tea orders, I ask? He/She would have to be one very self-controlled restrained person in the face of all these yummy tea posts/reviews! LOL! But, AmazonV, I love tea gear/tea ware … they are so pretty and functional and absolutely a requirement !?!?!
Haha, I’ve been very good lately. I’ve been trying to clear my cupboard to make room for summer tea. I even restrained myself from ordering DFT Series #2! Now I have a gap in my A&D tea collection, uhoh.
i gotta put together a little picasa on all my teaware….it’s a lot for a tiny apartment (2 dragon teakettles, 1 china, 1 porcelain, 1 cast iron, 1 glass, dozens of bone china teacups, 1 shelf of mugs, 1 shelf and 3 boxes of tea, 2 Russian tea cups, zarafina, breville water kettle, brita water pitcher, mr. iced tea maker, and more i don’t even want to unpack) that of course doesn’t even get into my coffee obsession…and a galley kitchen
Okay – you win! that is a lot of teaware! and if memory serves, you have some nice china teacups from mother-in-law, too! sorry for the awkardness of comment – now on iPod touch and am not that good on keyboard yet.
~lauren you are a better person than I – I keep trying to use steepster via Blackberry and end up with the most awful typing! half the time i give up and don’t post it
She’s a Steepster addict :P. I can’t even stand logging into Steepster from my iPhone. It’s dreadfully slow :(
TEAM CHRINE has changed sides. Just came to the Strawberry Matcha page to tealog and was reading your tealog. I did 1/4 tsp in 8 oz of 180° F water. I cannot believe the difference. I thought there was no way I’d ever like matcha. Anyways, I’m about to post a tealog about the matcha surprise so you can read all about it there!
PS I also used Wiki the first time I prepared it. Bad Wiki!
I know chrine! Where do they get that 3 scoops weighs that much? If you go by wiki’s # of scoops and not weight, you’re good.
I have no idea. It was WAY too much matcha for me.
I know! The thought of the 7 scoops of matcha I used makes me gag… :)
Oh, yay, I just noticed your update :) Yeah, I also tend to just eyeball the amount of matcha, and usually only make 3 or 4 ounces of it when I need a shot of something to force my eyes open. The bitterness (and of course the caffeine) are great when I’m feeling kinda “blah” and need to be jolted awake. I don’t know if I could handle 8 ounces at a time (plus the matcha might settle since I’m a slowish drinker). But yeah, maybe fiddling around with the amount of water might make it more palatable. :)
Oh, so it does settle? I thought I might not be mixing it enough still. (I just had some!) I noticed the perking effect and was wondering if it was in my head since I associated the super bitterness of the first attempt with high caffeine content. But it is a mellow perking, not a jittery perking.
chrine, take it from someone that often makes 8 (and on a rare occasion 16)oz at a time that it does settle if you don’t drink it quickly enough- it’s a suspension, not a solution. I prefer to take my time to enjoy it so an occasional whisk or two while drinking it does the job and I’m not forced to rush.
Thanks Cofftea, that’s good to know.
No notes yet. Add one?
Preparation
Whoa… back the tea cup up… A: How does this remind you of a tea w/ chocolate in it? B: it is NOT icky… it does not taste or smell like nail polish, you must be sniffing it then drinking tea (lol don’t worry everybody, he knows I’m joking), and hot champagne… eh… could totally see it cold made w/ soda water though.
Haha, I was / am still laughing as I was reading / typing up a response to your comment, because I did know you were joking =P
Hey, hey. The first time I had this tea was a month ago. No clue how it reminded me of the nail polish chocolate, it just did. Maybe I mixed the both of them together ;) or someone spiked my Mojito. Darn people, messing with my tea!
Eh… I think you’re just on something- you don’t like plain matcha or chai either.
I don’t think I’ve ever finished a cup of plain matcha. Haha, milk always finds its way into the cup. Nope, never had plain chai either =P
I would how a yixing cup with chai, sugar and milk would work ;)
How would I clean it? I don’t think water gets the sugar out =/
Guess I’m out of luck =(
I asked around here and no body said milk would be an issue, just make sure that you rinse it immediately and maybe season it very well prior to 1st use? I want to devote stash’s beehive mug to chai and will sometimes use milk.
I really like the raspberry taste in this tea but as others have mentioned I would have liked to have had more of the cream cheese part. It’s perfect for this time of the evening when you need something sweet and don’t want the caffeine.
Thanks Erin! For all the wonderful teas you sent me.
This is one I couldn’t wait to try. It’s dry leaf smells so yummy. I steeped it up and the smell does change well loses some of it’s chocolaty notes. Steeped up the liquor is reddish brown and the taste is spicy I would have liked to have gotten more chocolate along with my spice and I do love hot spices (I mean I cook with habanero peppers often) while I didn’t find the tea to be too spicy it could be for some people and so people who do not normally eat spicy be warned.
I like this chai would have liked to have seen more chocolate notes to round out the spice but would definently drink again.
Preparation
Hmmm… I think it’s like drinking mexican chocolate… maybe I’m just extra sensitvie to chocolate. What was your leaf/water ratio? Did you use any milk/creamer?
One heaping teaspoon to about 8 ozs of water. I did not use any creamers or sweeteners. While it could have used more chocolate I don’t think it needed any sweetener either. It was just more spice than chocolate. The one time I had mexican chocolate I didn’t care for it it’s wasn’t sweet (it’s been several years ago) When I hear chocolate I think sweet creamy chocolate unless it’s labeled dark chocolate so it could just be me.
That’s quite close to my ratio- I used 1 heaping teaspoon per 6oz water- steeped an extra min if I used milk or creamer. You’re right though, this is more of a cocoa or dark chocolate that’s in Mayan Chocolate.
When I had this tea, I added milk and sweeteners. Sometimes, the addition of sugar brings out the flavor in these flavored teas…
I’ve never tried it w/ sweetener (I’m thinking of doing so in a few min so watch for my tasting note), but steeped in a mix of water and milk or adding creamer makes it taste like a hot chocolate milk.
Okay I’ll try that (milk and sugar). I’m outta milk at the moment but have plans for grocery shopping tomorrow I will try it then.
I tried his PB chocolate tea and I had the same problem…Sometimes, the PB flavor was not evenly distributed throughout the tea- maybe the chips were too big.. and some portions had PB flavor and others didn’t…
And not all the chips melted even after 5 min. That’s a lot of wasted flavor.
You should try adding some mini-semisweet chocolate chips to it.
I only have enough to try it one more way and I want to try it w/ milk as I review all chais both ways. But I will be adding peanut butter chips to my Mayan Chocolate Chai some day… and caramel, and butterscotch:)
Now that’s a good idea- adding chips either PB or choco to chai…Still waiting for my Mayan Chai to come in but it is finally in the mail…