Matcha Outlet

Pumpkin Pie Matcha

Buy it here: http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/pumpkin-pie-matcha.html

I really don’t know how Red Leaf Tea is making any real profit here with their Free Matcha Program – See link here – http://www.redleaftea.com/free-matcha/
but I tell you what I sure have profited from this program – my matcha stash is growing! As long as I don’t suck it all down or send out so many samples that its gone before it has a chance to grow lol.

I have to admit it is hard not to share the wealth and it is hard not to want to drink nothing but matcha all day long. I have kept myself going easy on matcha though because I do prefer matcha shakes, smoothies, and lattes and the fact is I don’t need all those calories nor do I want to have to keep going to the store to buy more stuff to make all that with. So I have allowed myself one sometimes two matcha per day.

So I got my latest shipment – again Red Leaf Tea delivers on their super fast shipping! Now I am located only two states away from them but still I would bet doughnuts to dollars that they would get your shipment to you at light speed regardless where you are located! Mine arrived in the characteristic two days!

So here I sit with five new matcha flavors!! WOO HOOO and I only paid a little over thirty dollars for all of them due to the added promotion they have going on now for writing a lengthy review which mine tend to be when it comes to matcha anyway! When I get into something new I get really excited about it and tend to be more wordy. So with that said I decided on Pumpkin Pie Matcha to begin with. I have been having autumn fever lately and nothing says fall like pumpkin pie!

Here it is again: http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/pumpkin-pie-matcha.html

So when I opened the package, and for those who have never received a package from Red Leaf Tea, their matcha come in pretty shiny gold foil packages but they are not self sealing, no zip lock, etc so you have to plan ahead for a container or purchase one from Red Leaf – 3.00 for a small that holds up to 45 grams or 4.00 for a large that holds up to 120 grams. I always get a small tin myself. Anyway, when I opened the package and took that initial whiff of goodness I was floored! What I was smelling was in fact fresh, creamy, pumpkin pie filling! It smelled very familiar to the stuff you buy in a can but yet there was something more complex to it. It actually smelled more like what my great grandmother used to make way back in the day. I swear I could also smell pie crust baking along with the aroma of raw pumpkin and spices wafting about. This was going to be GOOOOD! So this is the one I selected to try first among so many other wondrous smells from the four other matcha I selected.

Getting out my scoop, whisk, and bowl I was so nervous and excited. Like a kid at Christmas or ummm Thanksgiving, anticipating my pie! Could this really be THAT good? As I put the initial amount of water in the bowl to begin the paste and starter forth I was hit square in the face with the aroma of spices but clove was most predominant. I took a sip… POW nutmeg, clove, cinnamon … in that order. The clove was a bit overwhelming, a bit too intense, I did go with Robust flavoring but there was absolutely no sweetness to the flavor and the spices covered up the natural sweetness of the green tea. I was a bit bummed but since I am one to usually make milkshakes, lattes, etc anyway I went for my normal method. I added ice to a tall glass, some milk, a splash of vanilla creamer, and the tea. OMYUMNESS! This is what I was looking for! Creamy, rich, spiced, pumpkin pie love.

So yes in the natural state this tea was a little too intense for me, but lets break it down. First of all I do not normally drink my matcha straight. Second of all I did opt for Robust flavoring, and lastly, I always over scoop for some reason. I know I do this, I have no idea WHY I do this, I do this with matcha and every tea I steep. I always want a flavor to hit me in the face and most of you know that about me, so in this case I got what I asked for and then some lol.

I would like for this tea to be a bit sweeter in its straight form but again I feel like the intensity of the spices covered the natural green tea powder sweetness. Its a mixture of things but next time I will go with Distinctive perhaps and I bet it will be more to my liking. The thing is though when I add my milk and ice, and in this case the splash of vanilla creamer it is PERFECTION. I mean absolute and total BLISS!

Now I will add that when this particular flavor of matcha is in this form you do lose some of the matcha goodness – from the tea powder itself, whereas if it were in distinctive flavor I think it would taste a bit more matcha – ish. BUT it does still retain enough of the matcha flavor to be appreciated and of course matcha has its own texture which I love. Yes I use a strainer but I can feel the matcha grain still in this which is nice especially with this flavor it seems to just belong there.

So end result. I would absolutely recommend this flavor – that is if you like Pumpkin Pie. I can’t wait to make a latte for my husband when he gets home from work because Pumpkin Pie is his all time favorite dessert! I would suggest you get the robust flavor only if you plan to make lattes, shakes, smoothies etc but if you like to have your matcha straight then I would go with distinctive.

Here is what my matcha was composed of:
Options:
Size : Small
Matcha Quality: Starter (Basic Grade)
Flavor: Robust
Storage : Add Small Metal Tin Container (Holds up to 45g)

Note: I do believe that my basic starter matcha was upgraded to Royal (Premium Grade) due to them being out of starter matcha but I am not positive of this. Either way I find even the starter grade being wonderful an far better of a grade than other places I have purchased matcha from before at a supposedly superior grade!

One last time here is where to get this matcha:

http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/pumpkin-pie-matcha.html

Love this Matcha!

I just got finished writing my full-length review for this tea on the SororiTea Sisters, it will publish in a few days. But to summarize what I wrote there: this is great served hot, whisked up in a bowl the way one would traditionally serve Matcha, and it is also good the way I enjoyed it yesterday – as a Matcha Milkshake. I put ice cubes, milk and Matcha in the blender and blended until creamy and smooth. Absolutely refreshing and delicious.

The strawberry is good and strong (I used the distinctive flavoring level, and starter Matcha), and the Matcha is rich and creamy. Very yummy! Glad I got this one!

MMMatcha morning!

I saw this in a fellow steepsters cupboard and went.. “wait…what..?” I had no idea something the awesome could exist. I had to have it. So of course I went to redleaftea.com and looked through their matcha. I seriously couldn’t believe how many flavors they had. I didn’t even know there was such a thing like flavored matcha. Tea just got THAT much better.
Honestly I was afraid to order it. I didn’t know if it would be good or completely disgusting, but some reviews I read had really made it sound amazing. I finally got up the courage and ordered some of the Cola Matcha waited… and waited.. (Red Leaf actually shipped it pretty quickly. I ordered it Monday and received it Friday :D)
This morning I thought I’d give it a try. I opened the package and smelled it immediately. It smelled like those gummy cola candies you get at gas stations. YUM. So I mixed it all up, nice and frothy and took the first sip. Oh.. my.. goodness.. It actually does taste like cola. The thing I love is that you can still taste a matcha base after the cola. I feel like I can even get a little bit of the fizziness feeling like real cola.
Finding a matcha like this actually makes me really, really happy. I LOVE the flavor of cola but have trouble actually drinking it. The carbonation gives me tummy aches so to find something this good for you AND flavored like cola makes me one happy girl! If you like cola this is a must try for you! Here is a link to it :
http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/coca-cola-matcha.html

Oh Joy! I am beginning to feel human again after a 3 hour sleep and getting up at the crack of dawn. I am vampiric by nature lol meaning I am a night owl.
Anyway I have not had a matcha in I think probably three days at least.
This … is so good!
I have many enough matcha left for one more cup of this flavor. Absolutely to be reordered!
Could not be more like cotton candy unless it was cotton candy!

Just indulging in a wonderful treat after a long day of getting dogs groomed. It was Dog Day Sunday here.
I took a decent nap and am now up to do a few things and watch some television – lol yup a lazy day for the most part.
Perfect for some Cotton Candy matcha! :)
This is so very yummy! I am almost out after sending out quite a few samples of this and other matcha.
I plan to order more soon.

This is a Cotton Candy Matcha from Red Leaf Tea – see here to purchase:
http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/cotton-candy-matcha.html

I was very eager to try this one I mean come on its COTTON CANDY after all!

My Tea was composed as such:

Cotton Candy Matcha
Size: Small
Matcha Quality: Royal (Premium Grade)
Flavor: Robust
Storage: Add Small Metal Tin (I paid 3.00 extra for this)

The small tins do fit all of the tea if you purchase a small (30g) bag of matcha leaving plenty of wiggle room for more. I have yet to make a larger purchase but once I find my favorites I am sure I will. Then I will have to opt for larger tins as the bags that the matcha come in, while pretty and shiny and gold, with lovely labeling, unfortunately do not zip or reseal. This is the ONLY downside to Red Leaf Tea I can find thus far.

I believe if I had to say what color of cotton candy this matcha is it would be the pink, but then that is the color the graphic shows here so I suppose my guess is right. And yes different colors of cotton candy DO have different flavors! Don’t argue with me about cotton candy – I’m an expert lol.

Its so nice to have these delectable treats in matcha form, thus healthy, and yet feel so satisfied by them! All the pleasure none of the guilt! Although I admit I do mix mine with milk and sometimes use creamer to make a latte but gah its still better than the real stuff!

This has just the right amount of sweetness to it yet still allows me to feel as though I am getting that green tea goodness! I do not feel at the Robust level of flavoring that the green tea matcha flavor was lost, I actually personally could go for the “there’s matcha in there?” strength and be one happy camper! Not that I ever got cotton candy while camping but you get the idea right?

I can’t imagine anyone not loving this tea and it seems any tea that has Cotton Candy in the name has been a favorite of mine but then again this is only the second one I have found and this is the ONLY matcha! I can’t even make the entire cup last through this review its THAT good! Now, with that said, if I had to put this flavor and bavarian cream side by side, I would have to go with the bavarian cream as its flavor seems to stand up more than this one and you all should know by now I am the “in my face” flavor person! With that said I think if I kicked this up to the “There’s Matcha in there?” flavor point I would go for this one.

So which should you pick if picking between these two? Well BOTH of course! You can’t compare apples to oranges can you? Speaking of Ref Leaf has both of those flavors too!! On my list they are! I actually had to stop putting Red Leaf matcha in my shopping cart as it was getting silly when I know I simply want ALL of them including the Mushroom one – called Reishi on their site. Yeah go check that out!

I think what I like more about this than the Bavarian Cream is that it evokes more memories and thus more joy. Its funny but my memories are not about being a child at the circus but TAKING my children to the circus! LOL I just realized how sweet and cute that is! I guess it happens when we are mothers and our children are nearly grown up. SIGH reminiscing for a moment …. okay done. When you have two equally amazing teas its really difficult to draw a comparison but for me, the one that wins out is most always the one that evokes a memory, a feeling, a thought, an idea, or emotion. While the flavor of Bavarian Cream is hard to beat this just takes me “there”.

Now granted this is a review for Cotton Candy and I know I keep referencing the Bavarian Cream but so far these would be the two Red Leaf matcha(s) I have had that are comparable and since few of us can afford to get THEM ALL we need something to help us decide. Since I recently reviewed Bavarian Cream I thought it good to compare the two as they are both very sweet matcha(s). I really wish I knew if it were matcha as plural or matchas… does anyone know? I guess its time to do a google search!

Wow I did so thinking it would be easy to figure out but alas I still don’t know so if anyone can clue me in here – matcha or matchas? Thanks! My guess is matcha.

Again here is the link to Red Leaf Tea’s Cotton Candy Matcha:

http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/cotton-candy-matcha.html

MATCHA TIME!
Seems like FOREVER since I had matcha so I HAD to go for this one today!
I really don’t think I can one up my previous tasting note here but I will have a review posted on http://sororiteasisters.com/ on the 10th and here are my snippits:

The matcha base is excellent! I normally go with a basic grade of matcha but for boysenberry I selected Royal Matcha base as I really wanted this boysenberry matcha to be a true treat, and let me tell you – it sure is!

I just can’t get over how succulent this flavor profile is. Sweet, yet tart, savory, yet sweet, tangy, mouthwatering, dark berry goodness! Then we have those grassy like earthy notes form the matcha which if you love matcha like me, are just simply divine!

Don’t be afraid of the boysenberry! If you are looking for a new fruit adventure grab some of this and give it a go! I can’t see how you could be disappointed in this one. It is so fresh, so refreshing, ripe, and juicy you will swear you are eating the berries themselves!

MMMMmmmmmmmmm See previous tasting note! :) Happy Boysenberry matcha time!

Oh My Goodness!
No I am not sorry at all that I got the Boysenberry Matcha that is on sale here:
http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/boysenberry-matcha.html
Just wow.
You know I have been throughly enjoying Red Leaf Tea’s matchas over the past couple of weeks. Be that via friends here who sent me samples, and my own first purchase of Bavarian Creme matcha which was DELICIOUS.
But most of the flavors, other than the orange (also amazing) have been more creamy, dessert like, heavier matcha flavors. So I was eager to try this one!
Let me just say MMmmmmmmmm.
So when I first smelled the dry powder I thought, oh tart, crisp, light, berry!
My daughter’s first impression was “Mom this smells like Red Bull energy drink.”
I was like OMG you are SO right!
It does! I have to admit. I do love Red Bull. Actually I had a bit of a Red Bull problem not too long ago, before tea! Thank you tea!
Nonetheless it has that exact same tart smell to it!
Don’t worry though this is totally healthy!
Plus after preparing my matcha, adding some ice and milk, it tastes NOTHING like a red bull!
Okay maybe a little something like it in the sense that it is light, crisp, refreshing, not too tart but just a slight berry tartness but nothing that is going to make you pucker!
I love this!
I feel bad and I owe an apology to summer. Here I was craving autumn and forgot all about berries, fruits, juicy ripe tasting delights and had went totally for heavier, richer, creamier, flavors. But you know what … it is still summer and I am going to totally enjoy drinking this and many other light matchas to come!
So my set up was as follows:

Boysenberry Matcha
Size: Small
Matcha Quality: Royal (Premium Grade)
Flavor: Robust
Storage: Add Small Container (3.00 extra)

Total cost after discount: 21.58
That to me my friends is a steal for a high quality matcha like this!

Now to add to the amazing flavor of this matcha and the quality of the matcha itself I would also like to notate that Red Leaf Tea got my matcha to me in TWO DAYS time! Yes thats right and lets all face it when we place a tea order we want it YESTERDAY lol but that just isn’t possible. What IS possible is that I received my shipping notice the same day I placed my order and it was being handed to me by my always befuddled mail carrier two days later! And yes in fact I did stifle a squeee because my mother was there and so far she is not really onto my tea addiction at least not how far it sinks. But the point here is TWO DAYS! That is some super fast shipping in my opinion! It means that when I am craving the next flavors (already am) I can make my order and know it will be in my hands before the craving can end! :)

Now back to this tea … As I am sitting here in delight sipping away I am noticing this almost earthy flavor to it – no not the normal earthy grassy flavor of a matcha or green tea, but something else. The prominent flavors are still the same, tart, juicy, etc, not to be redundant, but there is something more, its one of those flavors you swish around in your mouth, tap tap tap your tongue around, make those smacking sounds trying so hard to pin point it but it is eluding me! I want someone else to get some of this so they can help me figure it out. Hey it IS on sale after all!

Yes this one is a delight and to think I almost passed it up I mean I was not too sure what to expect and didn’t want something too overly tart but thank goodness I went for it!

Oh oh wait I think I may have just figured it out! Oh I am tempted to make a second round to be sure but yes people I know what it is…. Now this may turn some of you off so I almost hate to say it but for me, its not only a good flavor, but brings back memories from my childhood. So here it is be it a good thing or a bad thing you all deserve to know…children’s vitamins!!! Yup you know like Scooby Doo, Fintstones, etc… Well I may have just lost a few of you on that but for those of you who want a trip back to your childhood then get this! Ah ha! Its the same flavor in Red Bull that is very detectable! Vitamin B!!! Oh boy, I fear I may have lost a few more of you now… the thing is I LOVE that flavor! As a former vegetarian of 7 years (don’t ask why I stopped being a veggie – long story – irrelevant – no excuse for me really) I used to take Vitamin B daily as a Veggie diet does not provide Vitamin B (I think B12 specifically) so for me this is a flavor I like and am used to. Some people do not like it so I guess if you are not sure at this price it is still worth a try! I am sure if you don’t like it SOMEONE around here – I don’t know who – maybe me, would enjoy it being sent their way. :)

Again here is where you can get your own Boysenberry Matcha from Red Leaf Tea:
http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/boysenberry-matcha.html

So that last time I got some matcha from Red Leaf, I asked my sister what flavor she’d like. She chose this one. Then, even though I bugged her for one, she never wrote a review so we can have more matcha! I finally bribed her with promises of coconut and English toffee. haha It’s a never ending cycle! So without further ado, my sister’s review:

One summer, at a farmer’s market, my sister and I tasted bee pollen for the first time. The nice man at the stall showed us how he liked to eat it – dusted over some honey. He dipped a toothpick into the honey, and then dipped the toothpick into the bee pollen. We ate the honey and pollen mixture daintily as he told us about the health benefits.

I remember all we could really taste was the delicious honey because it just dominated, but the texture of the pollen was interesting – it felt chewy and looked like little yellow dust balls. It might have tasted better to me because it’s a super food: it contains 40% high-quality protein and a huge list of vitamins and minerals. Vitameatavegamin, anyone?

So I was actually pretty excited about trying the bee pollen matcha, hoping to get a clearer sense of what bee pollen tastes like. The powder is a fine, golden green – I imagine from the natural color of the bee pollen. I added about a half teaspoon to a cup of hot water and stirred it until frothy. It smelled very much like my usual matcha, a bit like the sea, fresh and comforting. The color of the tea was more golden, like it appeared in the container. It reminded me of the color of new spring buds.

My first impression was that the matcha was mild with a very subtle hint of honey. I had wanted to taste the bee pollen more clearly, but the matcha was definitely the dominant flavor here, as it was with the honey at the farmer’s market stall. Still, I imagined that I could taste a little bit of the pollen’s sweetness. At the bottom of the cup, I found the flecks of pollen floating about. I didn’t want to waste something that’s so good for me, so I drank it all up at once, not realizing that it would feel like I was guzzling pollen. Be careful because it can be a bit gritty when you get to the dregs.

All in all, it was a rather pleasing experience, but don’t expect to recognize the flavor of bee pollen distinctly. The bee pollen is probably there more for its health benefits and for the pretty color, than for flavor. Speaking of the health benefits, how much do we need consume to really take advantage of this super food? According to the following site, there are different recommended dosages for maximizing the benefits, but the author consumes just one to two tablespoons a day: http://www.bee-pollen-buzz.com/how-much-bee-pollen.html. This page from the same site talks about some of the possible side effects and reactions someone may have from consuming all the different types of pollen in bee pollen: http://www.bee-pollen-buzz.com/side-effects-of-bee-pollen.html.

Happy sipping!

Bee Pollen Matcha to be found here:
http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/bee-pollen-matcha.html

The only problem with this tea is I suck it down so fast.

I am reviewing a Bavarian Cream flavored White Matcha found here: http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/bavarian-cream-matcha.html you will of course get to make your own selections for matcha base, flavor strength, etc.
This matcha was composed of the following: White Matcha, Royal Quality, Robust Flavor. I also opted for the small metal tin.
This is the first Matcha I have personally ordered from Red Leaf Tea although I have been desiring to make an order for some time now. I was very lucky to have some wonderful tea trade partners that have sent me samples of Red Leaf Tea Matchas so I have been lucky to try the Orange, Madagascar Vanialla, Caramel, and Peach, but so far, this is my favorite! Perhaps it is because it is my first matcha that I bought for myself, or maybe it is because I got the Robust flavoring, or maybe due to it being my first White Matcha! Maybe it is simply because Bavarian Creme is an amazing flavor all unto itself! I mean when I saw this as a flavor option it was in fact a toss up between this and cotton candy, then I was even more confused when I saw they had Butterscotch! But what won out in the end was this, and I won’t deny it was mostly because when I select a doughnut I most always go for a Bavarian cream filled one! I mean come on they tempted me with the picture of a bavarian creme filled doughnut right on their site! Who could resist?
When I received my package in the mail it came in a white envelope clearly labeled Red Leaf Tea! I was surprised at how quickly my tea arrived! The matcha itself came in a shiny golden envelope with lovely labeling and the type of matcha I ordered printed on a smaller label stuck on it. I paid an extra 3.00 for a small tin which held a small package (30g) of matcha. The billing receipt and a colorful flyer which included some information about Red Leaf Teas and instructions on how to make matcha were also in the package.
When I opened the bag containing my tea the smell was intoxicating! Vanilla, Cream, Butter. Those were the aromas that struck me.
After placing the tea into the container and cutting the small label from the golden bag and taping it to my silver tin container I was ready to make my very own first Red Leaf Tea Matcha! Bavarian Cream!

I did notice that this matcha did not froth up as well as the previous ones I had tried from Red Leaf. Being that I have never had a white matcha before I can’t be sure if it is due to it being a white tea base or perhaps I was just too eager to taste it and didn’t put as much effort into it. Also I noticed the base was not quite as light in color as I was expecting but it was not the bright green of a typical matcha either. It was sort of a light brown color. For a Robust flavor I do think I was expecting a slightly stronger flavor from the tea but that is not to say it is not delicious! The flavors matched the aromas perfectly! Creamy, Buttery, Vanilla, Rich, Decadent!
I am very pleased with the flavor I choose to begin my own matcha journey with. It is a pleasing flavor if you like rich, and creamy with a full lingering after taste!
After trying my matcha in its raw state, hot, I opted, as I usually do, to make it into an iced latte using only the tea itself, some ice cubes, and some all natural vanilla coffee creamer. Its just that I prefer my matcha in this manner probably because my first introduction to matcha was this way. Granted matcha purist may be cringing but I enjoy it.
So here I am sipping my first very fine Matcha from Red Leaf Tea and I am thinking oh yeah this is the one! Yet I can’t help secretly to be thinking of all those other flavors yet to be tired.
So my next question to self is, do I stay with white matcha or do I go back to green. I honestly think it will depend on which flavor I choose next! Some I can see being wonderful either way while other flavors seem to beg more for one or the other. I will say that I am happy I went with Robust flavoring as I am one of those people who want an “in my face” flavor especially when it comes to matcha since I mostly make iced lattes with mine. Next time I may opt for “there’s matcha in there?” but then again I do also love the natural flavor of the matcha itself and Red Leaf Tea does provide a quality matcha base!
Thank you Red Leaf for all the flavor options you provide to us! I am looking forward to my next selection!
Here is the link once again where you can purchase this amazing matcha!
http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/bavarian-cream-matcha.html

My matcha from Red Leaf has arrived! Yay! Their service is speedy! I love that I can order something from them and it arrives within a week. That’s totally awesome!

With the huge assortment of flavors from Red Leaf to choose from, it’s difficult to narrow it down to 4 flavors. There were so many that I wanted to try … but something about this coconut kept calling out to me. I guess I’ve been on a bit of a coconut frenzy lately.

I ordered the basic matcha with the distinctive level of flavoring. This has become my own default ordering … and so far, it hasn’t disappointed me. Only one of the four matcha teas that I ordered from Red Leaf this time is not at distinctive level … and that one I shall talk about at some point in the future.

My first couple of sips were enjoyable, but, they weren’t quite all that, you know? But now that I’m about halfway through my bowlful, I am finding it difficult to stop sipping, it has one of those “contagious” kind of flavors, that just sort of creeps up on you … starting out just OK and then slowly becoming absolutely scrumptious.

YUM!

Special Thanks to Amanda for this one.

This tastes like strong bitter leaf greens with peach and a bit of chemical taste that Amanda spoke of. I did get past the chemical flavor because of the dark leafy green type taste I got. The peach is subtle compared to Red Leaf’s other matcha offerings.

This one is not really my fave but sure glad I got to try it.
:)

Okay, this one did not even cross my mind to try! It just sounded a little too strange.. well.. and also because other cola flavoured teas have not treated me well. (I’m looking at you Cherry Cola!)

Hey, I’m a nice guy. I thought I would let Mike help pick one of the Matchas in my last order. He’d been loving them iced in the summer – a great alternative to coffee and a fresh way to start the day and get a kick in the butt! Haha. So I make him scroll through the huuuge list of flavours, and what does he choose? Why, Cola Matcha of course!

When I opened the bag, the smell was uncanny! It actually smelled carbonated! Reminded me a lot of Cola flavoured freezies. That brings me to another reason I was a little nervous about this flavour: I hate-loathe-dislike-and-despise flat pop. It may as well be straight up syrup. And WARM?! Ugh I’m shuddering just thinking about a glass of flat warm pop being placed in front of me. So! I knew from the get-go we would not be drinking this hot! Haha

We whisked some up, iced latte style, but instead of topping with milk I topped with some ice cold filtered water. The smell was still true to a freshly opened bottle of cola – I still expected to hear the popping noises of a carbonated beverage! First sip?… wow. It tastes like Coke. And not in the bad way! (Has anyone gotten around to mixing this one with vanilla or cherry?) Hey what am I talking about, I have some vanilla left! Vanilla coke, I am coming for you!

Anyways – yes! It is so good! And Mike’s review? “Ohhhh I liked it… but – it didn’t taste like tea, it tasted like pop! Don’t you think? Mm.. I like it!” haha simple and true. Michael is happy with his choice, but luckily, so am I! I’m not sure if I totally agree that it tastes only like pop. Personally, I can definitely taste the slight grassiness of the matcha – and of course the distinctive green colour that goes with it! There is also a slight astringency that I definitely associate with matcha and not pop.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to kick the cola addiction. This has pure cola flavour without all the dyes and sugar. By all means, add some sugar to this matcha, but it doesn’t even come close to the amount you would get with a cup of real cola! In my opinion, it’s just, if not more, delicious. Here’s the link to this crazy matcha: http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/coca-cola-matcha.html

And now, to wait for Dr. Pepper flavour. Hey – Dr. Pep freezies exist! The matcha in just a matter of time…

Made this iced in a water bottle and it was actually quite good!
When it was cold anyways – as soon as it warmed up I got a plasticy taste, but I popped it back in the fridge and it was good again.

Good to know! :)

Just a note that I will be swapping this one away once I have some monies!
Wanted to give a heads up in case this was on anyone’s list to try but they won’t get a chance to try it with the promo – I will help! :D

Everyone seems to have one or two flavours of matcha that just don’t quite agree with their tongues and tastebuds. Sadly (super sadly!) this is that one for me! Happily, there are still some delicious aspects of this matcha, so here’s my fair review : )

Pina Coladas are my favourite tropical boozy drink! Okay I’ll also drink them without booze, but that kick of rum keeps me happy. Haha! I love the creamy texture of ice cold, slushy coconut milk with the tang and sweetness of fresh pineapple! A drizzle of grenadine and I’m taken to my happy place. To be fair, I haven’t had a pina colada quite like the ones in Cuba. That was my only hot resort holiday, so it has lots of good memories and good drinks.

I was hoping to recreate that deliciousness by making a slushy, creamy, matcha smoothie with this matcha! To be fair, that was the best result, after trying this hot and as an iced latte – slush was the way to go!

Hot, the matcha had too much of that chemical taste that seems to occur sometimes (hasn’t happened to me yet – first timer!). The flavour isn’t really meant to be hot, though, so I tried it iced next! Iced was a bit better, but there was something a bit off that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. It could be that too much flavouring was in my batch? That could be, as there is pineapple, coconut and rum flavour in this matcha – but who knows, it could be one flavouring altogether and I’m just crazy! I digress, the iced wasn’t quite working for me either. (An iced latte is definitely the way to go though, and next time I will try it with coconut milk! I even have some pineapples in the freezer I can pop in as well.)

My Pina Colada Matcha slush might have been better, but I used waaay too much matcha by accident, so it was a bit too strong in the flavouring department. I just crushed some ice with agave and milk to make the slush, so as the ice melted it did become more palatable. I really think the trick for this one is to make sure to use around 170 degree water (that tempers the bitterness) and use a little less matcha powder that you would usually. With other flavours, I could go crazy and dump 3 tablespoons into a cup and it was palatable (and energizing!), but less is more with this particular blend!

When I’m out of this tea, I think I will order some coconut and pineapple separately and do some blending of my own! I still have total faith in Red Leaf Tea – they hook me up with delicious matcha, and I can’t wait to try more flavours! This particular flavour can be found here: http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/pina-colada-matcha.html

MATCHA 1 of the TeaEqualsBliss Matcha Marathon!

A HUGE THANK YOU to Amanda for this sample! I am preparing for my first Red Leaf order – you would think I was preparing for prom lol. I want to do this right!
I agree with Amanda about the chemical flavor of this tea HOWEVER I made mine iced with milk and it sure helps a ton to cut down on that chemical taste. Hot, this is nasty!
With that said I am enjoying this iced matcha latte!
A little german rock sugar, a little milk, ice, and the peach matcha is goodness!
I would be upset if I were Amanda though and liked my matcha warm. I can’t handle warm matcha though so make lattes with all my samples.
There is still a slight chemical after taste here but the peach flavor is good. I hope that Red Leaf manages to fix this because their matchas are too expense not to be perfect in my opinion especially when you get the upper end matcha base like Amanda did!
Again thank you Amanda for sharing this with me!
:)

I’m a fan of vanilla on all facets of its existence: the smell, the oddness of the pod, the picturesque orchid on which it grows. The history and mystique of the vanilla bean is as rich as its aroma; one of my favorite books is a history of the vanilla trade. And of course the taste! I used to make coconut milk ice cream with Madagascan vanilla beans every month for my family.
Despite its extremely difficult growing conditions and scarcity on a global scale, Madagascan vanilla is so soothing and ever present it is “plain vanilla.” It is the safe and sure option in western desserts. Challenged to pick a starting point in the dizzying array of Red Leaf Flavors, I naturally picked vanilla. Aren’t I a brave little toad? And I only spent twenty minutes picking between French or Madagascar!
This the real deal. The real vanilla bean! Every latte and crème cookie hints at the reality of this sleek and pure vanilla, matched by the clean grassiness of the matcha. I got the regular strength of flavoring since I love matcha as much as vanilla. The two most distinct flavors of my strange childhood of mixed heritage in powdered bliss! It’s just as sweet as ice cream too. Most people think matcha is quite bitter, this version is great for those who need to limit their sugar, like me.
I got into the habit of sprinkling matcha on my post-ride ice cream but I can’t enjoy ice cream in the winter. Red Leaf’s Madagascan Vanilla Matcha (available at http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/madagascar-vanilla-matcha.html) is my cold weather vanilla fix. Unfortunately hot ice cream is sickening syrupy and overwhelming. This matcha, however, it as comforting and delightful as summer ice cream. I find it interesting that Red Leaf says it’s therapeutic for anxiety, as I’ve long held the same belief, but never seen it listed as anti-anxiety in herbals. Can fault this matcha at all? Nope. This matcha is a wonderful reminder of the sweet and simple things in life that make it worth the effort.

I’m having a nice big mug with 2 hefty scoops of this matcha and a bit of milk to start my day. It is a good one!

This is my latest taste adventure from Red Leaf Tea! Now, I consider myself a bit of a coffee expert. I don’t drink much coffee now but I used to live on the stuff and have had more than my fair share of traditional hot and iced mocha coffees. I wasn’t super convinced that the mocha flavor would translate well to matcha, but I gave it a shot. I’m really glad that I did! This is pretty awesome. You can find more information and order some of this Mocha Matcha for yourself here: http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/mocha-matcha.html.

I knew once I opened the pouch that I was in for a treat! This smells like a rich, dark chocolate with just a tiny bit of a coffee aroma coming through. Out of the matchas I’ve tried from Red Leaf Tea, this one had the most powerful aroma. Once again, I was impressed that the matcha was a beautiful, bright green despite being flavored. I immediately wanted to have this cold since that is how I prefer my coffee based mochas. So I added a really hefty scoop of this matcha into a blender bottle along with milk and a tiny drizzle of honey. After shaking it all up, it smells just like sitting in a coffee house! The taste of this is completely awesome. If I was blindfolded, I would be certain that this was a coffee based drink. The chocolate is dark and rich with the coffee flavors just backing everything up. The coffee flavoring isn’t bitter or overpowering. I think I can taste just a hint of the matcha towards the end of the sip, but the flavoring is really in control of this blend.

Even though I almost always drink tea rather than coffee, it is nice to have something that will suit my occasional coffee cravings without having to brew an entire pot (and have the entire house smell) or go to an overpriced coffee shop. Like all of the matchas I’ve tried from Red Leaf Tea, this is really great and I think it would make a good addition to any baked good. I’m thinking that adding it to buttercream to top a chocolate cake would really set things off. This is a great gateway matcha for those who enjoy coffee. There is no bitterness that matcha can sometimes have and the flavors are bold with a good kick of caffeine.

In continuation of TeaEqualsBliss Matcha Marathon I am having the last of my sample of this provided to me by Kittenna again thank you for sharing!!
This is some yummy stuff and I do love all of the matcha I have sampled from Red Leaf thus far!
I mixed half and half milk and matcha with a little german rock sugar and ice.
So creamy yet feels healthy.
:)