I got my first ever Red Leaf order (and hence first flavored matcha) today! It’s funny it’s taken me so long—they were a wishlist company as soon as I joined Steepster, and I’ve knocked out just about every interesting company I’ve encountered in the year since (with a few exceptions, but the others far more recently discovered such as Todd and Holland, Tea Hawaii, The O Dor, Naivetea, Shang, Silk Road, Red Blossom, and Yunnan Sourcing). I think I was a little afraid of matcha, and my early unflavored forays with a few different companies’ promotions while not the worst thing ever didn’t really appeal to me (too bitter without a lot of sweetener, which to my mind defeats the purpose, and also made me WAY JITTERY). But I’d like a new morning ritual to make getting out of bed less crappy once the weather warms up (strong breakfast blends have been my savior this winter), and it can’t always be gyokuro. I was a little worried I’d find flavored matcha too chemical seeming or even strong, kind of similar to the way 52teas is often so hit or miss for me. And while this certainly isn’t traditional or whatever, it’s quite good! It feels more like a snack in a cup than tea as I’m used to it. The smell is definitely sweet caramely buttered popcorn, complete with the roasty sweet corn element. It was a delicious afternoon snack (I couldn’t wait ‘til tomorrow, whee). And I don’t feel any harsh green burn in my mouth afterward, and so far so good in terms of feeling energized but not jittery. (I have a feeling I’m only ever going to consume matcha with milk, to keep the jitters down…bonus, it gets me to drink milk, which I need to be doing a lot more than I have been lately.)
My method:
In my white 16oz wide round mug (I prefer these as matcha bowls because they show off the color and are the right size and shape for foam or whatever, plus there’s a handle):
1/2 teaspoon matcha, sifted (I’m going slow with amounts in hopes of minimizing ultimate measures to save money and prevent jitteriness!)
2 oz hot water (~180F, just because that’s what was on hand in my set water heater at the time)
whisked with a cute little bamboo chasen (glad I’m finally using it…it was a promo thing the first go-round when unflavored matcha didn’t really take) until nice n’ bubbly.
Meanwhile, 1 cup of milk heated around 1 minute in the microwave. When I’m done whisking the matcha with water and the milk’s finished heating, I pour most of the milk in the mug but reserve a little and use my wand frother to foam it up and top the mug off.
Delicious! I ordered all Basic, Robust and was a little nervous the flavor’d be too strong at that level but so far so good as a subtaster, hee. I did the “buy 3, get 1 free” deal on Red Leaf’s site but one of my matchas was missing, hope that gets sorted quickly. Otherwise though, I think I’m going to enjoy this flavored matcha venture this spring (I’m also curious about making cold protein shakes with it post-weightlifting)! Yay. They even threw in a free sample of the eggnog one, which is pretty awesome as I was eyeing it anyway.
Now I’m curious how many 1/2 teaspoon servings are in the 30g packets. Hm…
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I believe there are sixty 1/2 teaspoon servings!
Oh, and one more thing! Don’t worry about the mix up on your order. I have found them to have really good customer service and they seem very honest. I think it will all be handled to your satifaction!
60, good to know! Thanks for that. I’m trying to talk myself into an order when I have more money :)
thanks a lot for the info and kind reassurance, ashmanra! good to know.
and yeah Stephanie, this feels like the beginning hints of matcha season to me. yay.
just wanted to update (and will do so the next time i make a note for a red leaf matcha, which will likely be pretty soon, heh): ashmanra, you were so right! red leaf got back to me in a timely fashion and resolved the issue wonderfully. they sent out the missing matcha very fast, and with it more free matcha samples and a bunch of rock sugar swizzle sticks! great customer service experience, wanted to make sure to make note of it.
I believe there are sixty 1/2 teaspoon servings!
Oh, and one more thing! Don’t worry about the mix up on your order. I have found them to have really good customer service and they seem very honest. I think it will all be handled to your satifaction!
60, good to know! Thanks for that. I’m trying to talk myself into an order when I have more money :)
thanks a lot for the info and kind reassurance, ashmanra! good to know.
and yeah Stephanie, this feels like the beginning hints of matcha season to me. yay.
just wanted to update (and will do so the next time i make a note for a red leaf matcha, which will likely be pretty soon, heh): ashmanra, you were so right! red leaf got back to me in a timely fashion and resolved the issue wonderfully. they sent out the missing matcha very fast, and with it more free matcha samples and a bunch of rock sugar swizzle sticks! great customer service experience, wanted to make sure to make note of it.