(1st steep: 2 min) I have been looking forward to this tea all day. Luckily, I was not disappointed. The blended aroma of cut grass and toasted rice grains is solidly presented in this tea. The cut grass carries over into the flavor, and is well balanced with the toasted grain and bread flavor from the rice. Also, there is a brightness brought to this tea from the matcha powder. It adds weight and a chewiness to the tea which makes it filling. I would be happy drinking this tea any time of the day.
(2nd steep: 2 min 30 sec) There is less of the grassy notes in this steeping. I believe this is due to the lack of matcha powder in this steeping. However, the toasted rice has taken on a malted barley aroma. It is sweeter than the first steeping. Some of this sweetness carries into the flavor, but not enough to where I can be more specific. The flavor in the tea has turned more herbal than grass. However, I am having trouble placing it due to the toasted notes from the rice. As the tea cooled, the herbal flavor is clearly similar to seaweed, and goes well with the tea.
Flavors: Grass, Roasted Barley, Seaweed, Toasted Rice
