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| Numbered matcha samples! |
This blind matcha taste test was hosted by Red Leaf Tea - I do not have any affiliation with this brand. I've actually never had their matcha before, so it's definitely fair!
The Process:
To make my matcha, I'll be using traditional tools - a chawan, bamboo whisk, and chashaku. To make a bowl of matcha, I'll be using one chashaku scoop in 4oz of water heated to 175 degrees.
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| Tools of the trade |
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| Colors of the matcha samples - top row (1-4, l-r), middle row (5-8), bottom row (9-12) |
Sample #1:
100% Pure Organic Matcha - Matcha Organics
Price per oz: $6.24
Color: 4
Flavor: 5
Sweetness: 1
Notes: A brownish green color. Not a bad flavor, but it's really bitter! Definitely not one to drink unless you're using it in a latte or some other use.
Sample #2:
Pure Green Tea Powder - Tradition
Price per oz: $1.22
Color: 2
Flavor: 3
Sweetness: 3
Notes: This matcha is a dull brown-green and has a mild bitterness. The flavor here is seaweed, which I definitely don't want to taste in my matcha.
Sample #3:
100% Organic Japanese Matcha - Doctor King
Price per oz: $6.00
Color: 4
Flavor: 3
Sweetness: 4
Notes: Some nice vegetal notes in this matcha, but it's definitely not sweet at all. Very smooth to drink. I had a very hard time getting this to froth and the froth dissipates very quickly.
Sample #4:
Organic Matcha - ONE ORGANIC
Price per oz: $2.27
Color: 4
Flavor: 2
Sweetness: 3
Notes: Dark brownish-green color. It's a little bitter and tastes like cardboard.. A very powdery aftertaste makes me not want to drink it again.
Sample #5:
100% Organic Matcha - Enzo
Price per oz: $5.50
Color: 4
Flavor: 1
Sweetness: 5
Notes: No bitterness in this matcha, but not sweet either. Hard to froth and tastes very metallic. I had to dump this one in the sink.
Sample #6:
Organic Matcha, Culinary Grade - TerraVerve
Price per oz: $8.52
Color: 8
Flavor: 6
Sweetness: 7
Notes: Finally, a good matcha! A nice vibrant green - definitely the best color out of all the samples. Very clean tasting with nice vegetal notes. Slightly sweet and no bitterness.
Sample #7:
100% Pure Organic Matcha - Matcha Organics
Price per oz: $1.93
Color: 2
Flavor: 1
Sweetness: 1
Notes: Yikes.. I guess this where you say, "You get what you pay for." This is a very pale matcha and very bitter. It froths up great though, which is the only positive quality. My notes say that it tastes like vomit. Yuck. Dump this one out.
Sample #8:
Organic Matcha - Matcha DNA
Price per oz: $2.47
Color: 4
Flavor: 5
Sweetness: 5
Notes: Nice vegetal notes. Just a little bitter, but a good sweetness as well.
Sample #9:
Organic Matcha, Culinary Grade - Kiss Me Organics
Price per oz: $6.25
Color: 6
Flavor: 2
Sweetness: 5
Notes: A nice dark green color. No bitterness and a nice froth, but it tastes metallic and powdery.
Sample #10:
Organic Matcha - uVernal
Price per oz: $6.25
Color: 5
Flavor: 5
Sweetness: 4
Notes: This is a yellow/brownish-green. Nice nutty and vegetal flavor with a little bitterness.
Sample #11:
Starter Matcha - Red Leaf Tea
Price per oz: $0.94
Color: 5
Flavor: 5
Sweetness: 3
Notes: Good vegetal notes, but has a mild bitterness. This would be better as a latte or smoothie, but incredibly good for the price.
Sample #12:
Deluxe Matcha - Red Leaf Tea
Price per oz: $1.56
Color: 7
Flavor: 7
Sweetness: 8
Notes: Great color and absolutely no bitterness. This is the only sample that you can smell the sweet honeysuckle flavor emanating from the brew. Great taste and sweetness!
Results!
First Place: Deluxe Matcha - Red Leaf Tea
Second Place: Organic Matcha, Culinary Grade - TerraVerve
Third Place: Organic Matcha - Matcha DNA
Alright! While the first and second place matchas are close, the price is the real story! The Deluxe Matcha from Red Leaf Tea is only $1.56 per oz whereas the Organic Matcha, Culinary Grade from TerraVerve is $8.52 per oz. I definitely enjoyed both of these matchas, but I love a good deal!
Check out detailed graphs of my tastings below!
Until the next cup.
