Once you taste matcha from Material Matcha Uji you’ll find it hard to drink any other matcha. The others are fine for smoothies and cooking leave MMU for drinking on it’s own. Anyway, MMU01, this is a weird place to start but I’m really enjoying the aftertaste. It’s sweet with a unique grassy umami. Kinda almost reminds me of the aftertaste in a ginseng oolong. It’s so good. It has a sharpness to it unlike the other two thanks to the higher intensity of grassy flavors. Still not grassy like a green tea though. Now that I’ve had all three I have to admit I’m surprised at how different, even though subtle, each can be. MMU03 is still my favorite but MMU01 is a very close second.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha
Where to Buy: Material Matcha
Description:
A sharp blend of Okumidori, Zairai, Samidori and Yabukita.
Sharpness is what characterizes MMU01 immediately, an intense blend of green tea varieties: we complemented native Uji “Zairai” leaves and the balanced Yabukita variety, with the confidence of Okumidori and the class of Samidori, one of Uji’s native and most exclusive variety used for “shaded” tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Organic Yerba Mate Matcha Tea from The Kent & Sussex Tea & Coffee Co. . .
I haven’t had too many Yerba Mate Matcha’s to date so I always welcome them when the come along. Recently I sipped on Organic Yerba Mate Matcha Tea from The Kent & Sussex Tea & Coffee Co. In short, it was a pleasant sipping experience.
But let’s expand on that a bit. I took 1 flat teaspoon of matcha to a tea bowl and mix with a couple of drops of water to make a smooth paste then whisked more water to fill my matcha cup. I followed the instructions on the company website. Personally – I could taste a strong Yerba Mate first and foremost. So it tasted like a green grass and green pea type taste to me. It was a little bitter but the bitterness was welcome. According to the company website it’s best for mornings which makes sense because Yerba Mate is a natural energy booster. (More on that below) It does have an intense flavor.
Next time I am thinking about adding a slight squeeze of lemon juice to it. Another way I can see myself drinking this is iced. This was a pleasant sipping experience. I look forward to experimenting more with this and sharing it with the other Sororitea Sisters!
Now let’s get to the additional information about Yerba/Yerba Mate and how it works in this Matcha Blend.
The caffeine found in Yerba is said to provide a coffee-like buzz but without the unpleasant jitters or the crash afterwards. It’s a myth that is does not contain caffeine and the stimulating effects come from a compound called Mateine, In actual fact the term Mateine is actually coffee and it said to have derived from the Mate plant. Yerba also contains theophylline and theobromine similar to cacao, which are natural vasodilators and helps relax blood vessels and is used to combat high blood pressure. Yerba is said to have over 90 per cent more antioxidants than green tea, with immune boosting capabilities, it can also slow aging, reduce stress and insomnia. Using Yerba as as Matcha is a fast, and efficient way of squeezing it in to your every day routine, whether you sprinkle it on your cereal, smoothies or soups or use it as an every day drink. Using the whole Mate leaf will put a spring in your step for the whole day!
All of this info is also mentioned on the company website! I found the additional info wonderful! I LOVE learning!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Yerba Mate/Matcha
Where to Buy: The Kent & Sussex Tea & Coffee Co.
Description
Yerba does contain caffeine! However, the caffeine in Yerba is said to provide a coffee- like buzz but without the unpleasant jitters or the crash afterwards. It is a myth that is does not contain caffeine and the stimulating effects come from a compound called Mateine, In actual fact the term Mateine is actually coffee and it said to have derived from the Mate plant. It also contains theophylline and theobromine similar to cacao, which are natural vasodilators and helps relax blood vessels and is used to combat high blood pressure. Yerba is said to have over 90 per cent more antioxidants then green tea, with immune boosting capabilities, it can also slow ageing, reduce stress and insomnia. Using Yerba as as Matcha is a fast, and efficient way of squeezing it in to your every day routine, whether you sprinkle it on your cereal, smoothies or soups or use it as an every day drink. Using the whole Mate leaf will put a spring in your step for the whole day!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Focus Vanilla Mint from Sportland Tea Co. . . .
This company has caught my eye before so I was very excited to finally try one of their teas.
This company has blends geared towards athletes. I am an athlete I play volleyball regularly and am very active in general and I love tea so my interest is definitely peaked. This blend is called a Focus Blend since with the caffeine it would help you focus more. This blend is very simple with matcha, yerba mate, peppermint and vanilla. The smell surprisingly light not overly peppermint. It has a nice fresh smell, lightly grassy from the matcha. Once brewed the peppermint smell was definitely stronger but still not overwhelming.
Man this is delicious. I am a sucker for vanilla and mint together and it really works in this blend. I don’t really taste the yerba mate at all which is great for me because sometimes yerba mate can come across a little too herby for me. The matcha is the strongest flavor but it is not bitter at all. I think the vanilla really mellows out the matcha so it is very smooth.
The mint really comes out in the aftertaste. This is a very refreshing blend I like it a lot. Sadly this blend appears to be sold out at the moment but I put in my email because I would love to have some of this on hand. I am checking out some other blends on their website that definitely sound interesting as well, a roasted oolong and rooibos blend with cloves, star anise and orange peel. Yes count me in!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha/Yerba Mate
Where to Buy: Sportland Tea Co.
Description
Sportland Tea Co.’s focus blend is a stimulating mix of matcha green tea and yerba mate.
With mint and vanilla for a smooth and delicious flavor, this blend offers a naturally sweet option to those looking for a boost of caffeine. Get the laser focus you are looking for!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Apple Mango Sangria from Steeped Tea. . . .
I was a little nervous to try this tea for a couple of reasons. The first being while I love mangoes, I don’t always like mango flavored things. And the second reason being that to me apple and mangoes seemed like an odd pairing.
I made a batch of this tea on ice, because I definitely prefer my fruity teas cold for some reason. What can i say, when I’m wrong I admit it. I had no reason to be nervous, this blend is really fruity and very, very refreshing. The apple and mango kind of blend together to just give this very fruity and naturally sweet flavor that I can’t really describe. I wouldn’t say it tastes specifically like apples or mangoes, but it just tastes really darn good. There is a recipe on their website for an actual sangria with wine, apples and mangoes plus this tea. I can only imagine how incredibly delicious that would be on a warm summer day. I might have to try that recipe out this summer minus the wine.
This tea absolutely needed no sweetener, it was very naturally sweet. As far as fruity teas go, this is hands down the best I’ve ever tried. I came home the other day after doing a lot of walking in warmer weather, and i was pretty dehydrated. I poured myself a glass of this and was instantly cooled and refreshed.
If you like fruity tea, you will absolutely love this tea. I would imagine that it’s really tasty warm, but seriously it is the best iced. With warmer days coming up, this will be a staple in my kitchen!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal/Tisane/Matcha
Where to Buy: Steeped Tea
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Gingernut Matcha from Bluebird Tea Co. . . . .
Whether you are a Matcha Maniac or the more adventurous type of Matcha fan today’s featured Matcha may just rock your world! Gingernut Matcha from Bluebird Tea Co. The company calls it the Detox Warrior. The Energizing Elixir. The Slimming Superhero. The Hangover Destroyer. Well, I personally, haven’t put any of these claims to the test but what I CAN tell you is that Gingernut Matcha from Bluebird Tea Co is an impressive flavored matcha that is certainly worth a taste!
Gingernut Matcha from Bluebird Tea Co seems to be ideal for autumn/fall/winter. It’s a limited edition matcha so be sure to get it before it’s gone! It’s also something that would appeal to those who enjoy ginger and spicier notes with even a little tingle in the sip.
The flavor of Gingernut Matcha from Bluebird Tea Co was potent and intense. It had an incredible ginger flavor, a nuttiness to it, and even a chili kick, too! The flavor lingered long after the sip was complete. I sampled this straight-up with nothing added but I’m looking forward to a Matcha Latte of sorts to see and taste how this steps up! I’m sure it will continue to shock and amaze!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha (Green Tea)
Where to Buy: Bluebird Tea Co.
Description
Our limited edition Gingernut biscuit matcha blend is so moreish with milk! Get your matcha kicks with a ginger tingle this Autumn – Winter season!
Our expert Tea Mixologists have created the UK’s first flavoured Matcha Collection in some of their favourite flavours using organic, natural ingredients and all hand blended at our HQ in Brighton.
The Detox Warrior. The Energising Elixir. The Slimming Superhero. The Hangover Destroyer. These are some of our nicknames for the Superhero Superfood – Matcha!
Matcha is a traditional Japanese powdered green tea with up to 10 x the benefits of regular green tea, 7 x the vitamin C as orange juice and 3 x the energy boost as an espresso shot! It’s packed full of antioxidants, minerals and nutrients and is said to aid weight loss, lowering blood pressure and increasing concentration levels and clarity of mind.
Bluebird’s Mixology Matcha contains rare and unique white matcha, grown at higher elevations to ensure an antioxidant boosted, even more nutrient rich cup.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!