Matcha Tea Lover

April 6, 2019June 21, 2023

Superior GoldMatcha Review

According to the product description stated on the site, Superior GoldMatcha has a smooth, delicate taste with layered sweetness and bitterness. I would say the description fits the product perfectly.

Personally, this matcha tea is strong. It gives out that green tea smell and a bitter kick when I drink it. When I traditionally mix it with small increments of cold water before the hot water. The color of the liquid turns to green, not vibrant green.

Mix it properly if you do not want to end up drinking a bitter matcha tea drink. I like it a lot. Here is my short story on how I came to love matcha and all its goodness.

My sister went to Japan last December and brought with her Koicha Matcha Tea from Uji, Kyoto Japan. It was so good that I instantly became curious about this powdered tea. My fixation drove me to start my own matcha tea blog.

Matcha Tea has changed my lifestyle. Officially, I am a matcha tea convert. Goodbye, coffee! Being not totally equipped with some matcha tools that I need to succeed in mixing matcha the right way. I just went ahead mix match with cold and hot water.

Compared to my first matcha which was Matcha Tea from Uji-Kyoto, Japan. (I consumed everything before I realize I forgot to take a picture). The flavor, aroma, and color of the matcha tea were different. This matcha tea powder from GoldMatcha has a darker color. The texture is smooth and fine. The taste is really usucha which is good for drinking.

Overall, their superior matcha tea is great. I would it a total score of 8/10. This is good for ceremony tea practice. For people who want to experience less expensive matcha.

New Update: They currently offer only one product. They phased out this product to this one below. It’s called GoldMatcha Ceremonial Grade.

April 3, 2019June 21, 2023

Matcha Crunch Review

I tasted this candy last week and I find it really good. This Matcha crunch product is made from Japan. A company called Bourbon. I checked their website and it has the Japanese and English version. It is a good sign that this product came from a legitimate company that has standards.

This chocolate treat is crunchy and tasty. No wonder they call it matcha crunch. The thick chocolate cover makes this unique to someone who wants to enjoy matcha and chocolate at the same time. Someone like me!

Inside it is a matcha flavored creme with rice crispies. Pop it in your mouth and you will definitely be wanting for more. I love matcha and chocolate too. I have the best of both on what I love on a candy.

What is more to ask? Concern about calories? It is only 30 kcal for one chocolate. The ingredients are artificial and contain milk, nuts, wheat, and soybeans. It would not harm you. Though it will put fat on your love handles and be there as long as you work out.

There are a lot of snacks that have matcha filling. Try to read the labels first before digging in. Not every package has natural flavors. For some who have allergies especially to nuts. This chocolate crunch may not be for you.

March 30, 2019June 21, 2023

Organic Uji Matcha Tea From Kyoto, Japan

Here is the sample of the organic uji matcha product I purchased from Tokyo Matcha Selection online. It is manufactured from Ogura, Uji-Kyoto, Japan. You probably saw one of these on the internet. It is available from various resources online. Most of them offering this type of product are from Japan. You can see them in Japanese stores too.

When I ordered, it took the product to reach me almost two months. I was wondering why it took that long. Not until I read online resources that during the season from March to May orders get heavy and busy. Small to large orders go in and out of Japan. I panicked at some point and glad at the same time when I received my orders.

Kyoto has been popular for manufacturing matcha tea and widely known harvesting green tea. The largest companies who cultivates matcha tea products are from Kyoto. Other companies you have heard are from Shizuokoa, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, and Nishio. This brand is different from the other matcha tea I have tasted.

If I would rate the astringency level from one to five where one means it has less astringency and five means it has more astringency to its taste. I would rate it four. You can really taste the bold flavor of the tea. I love it in a way when I drink it in shots. It gives me that extra kick during the afternoon when I feel sleepy.

It gives me the impression that organic types can be strong. Strong in flavor and taste. This make has passed the JAS and JONA standards meaning it is safe to drink. I would recommend this to beginner’s and it would make a perfect practice ceremony tea.

My overall rating is 8/10. I am not really a fan of tea that has high levels of astringency. This is my personal review of this grade. I love the sweet ones that I was hoping to find for my next reviews.

March 27, 2019June 21, 2023

Maccha Uji No Sato Review

I purchased this Maccha Uji No Sato from Maiko Japan Online Store. You can see that I made a regular drink. (My whisk and other stuff have not arrived.) Uji No Sato is a thin or Usucha type of matcha tea. Its name Uji refers to the region it came from Uji, Kyoto Western Honshu Japan. This is a superior type of maccha tea. In Japan, they call it Maccha & not Matcha. I will explain the difference between the two terms after my product reviews. Most people use Uji type of Matcha Tea for ceremony practice.

I was very impressed by the taste of this Maccha Uji No Sato. It has a light/sweet smell and tastes delicious! The flavor is not too strong nor too mellow, which makes it perfect for drinking everyday. Overall, I am happy with the quality of this product and will definitely purchase from Maiko Japan Online Store again.

A good tea for you to drink and enjoy. It is refreshing, aromatic and light. Overall, I like this tea. I gave it a rating on 8/10. The quality of the Uji No Sato is good. I like Uji for drinking. I can tell the tea leaves used to make this tea are slightly old. Stone grind and machine grind matcha tea even has its own differences when it comes to their taste, texture and color. That is what I learned throughout my journey.

You may find other matcha tea quite expensive. Uji No Sato is a good way to start your matcha tea experience. If you are at the experimental stage, I suggest you buy this type of matcha tea.

March 23, 2019June 21, 2023

Kyoto Direct Kyo Shizuku Organic Matcha Review

I recently got my sample from Kyoto Direct. The product is called Kyoto Direct Shizuku Organic Matcha from Japan. I want to share how this matcha is different from the rest. First, it is organic matcha. They have different kinds as what you can see on the images. Standard, Premium, Deluxe, High Grade, and Supreme. Let me tell you the differences between each kind.

Kyo Shizuku Standard Matcha, a good Usucha tea great for everyday drink and practice ceremony. I like the smell when I open the sachet. I made a simpe matcha shot and whisk it for a minute. I was not impress with the taste. The astringency of the matcha is strong. It was too organic for my taste. I would give it a rating of 6/10.

Kyo Shizuku Premium Matcha, one of the best tasting matcha from the product line. It smells so good and fresh. After the product pictorial, I drink it all up. The taste was sweet and there is less astringency. It has a rich texture to it. I would rate it 10/10.

Kyo Shizuku Deluxe Matcha, this matcha is strong. The texture, after I whisk, become smooth and creamy. I love the texture. What I did not like about this type is the strong after taste and its leaves a slight bitter taste on my tongue. I would rate it 8/10.

Kyo Shizuku High Grade Matcha, this tea is great for tea ceremony practice. It is slightly sweet with medium astringency levels. It has a strong after taste which I did not drink it all up. I would rate it 8/10.

Kyo Shizuku Supreme Matcha. I have high expectations for this tea. It fell short once I taste it. The tea is bold and aromatic. It has strong finish and have medium astringency levels. The texture is smooth. I would recommend this for tea ceremony. Not my favorite kind. I would rate this teafrom Kyoto Direct 8/10.

The rating use in this post where 1 means poor and 10 means good.

March 20, 2019June 21, 2023

Kappa Matcha Tea Review

I got this matcha from Japan. It is called Kappa Matcha Tea. My sister gave it to me last Christmas. It is different matcha. It has a roasted smell when you open it. I was expecting the same smell just like the others. It was not. I was surprised.

I took some photos of the product. Also my drink. This is the second time my sister brought me another kind of matcha. I was excited to check if this is the same match she purchased last Christmas.

I made my usual drink. This time I have my whisk with me. I place two teaspoons of powder on my bowl. Pour in a little bit of hot water then whisk it. While whisking it, nutty smell of the steam evaporates. I check the color it’s dark green. Pretty good for a matcha tea.

I add a little bit of sugar and whisk it again. A nice frothy layer appears on top. Ah, this is the best part of making matcha tea! The sweetness balance out the bitterness of the tea. I take my first sip and enjoy its strong yet smooth taste. So relaxing! Matcha tea never disappoints me. This is why matcha tea is my favorite.

I love to experiment with different recipes for making matcha tea. I’ve tried adding honey, almond milk, or cinnamon to create unique flavors. It’s so much fun to find the perfect combination that I enjoy! There are endless possibilities and it’s fun trying out new things each time.

I tasted my tea. All good. It is very rich, nutty and has a roasted smell. I would say not all matchas are created equal. My sister’s husband told me before that every tea house in has have their own flavors. That’s a fact. I thought they were all the same.

The matcha manufactured from Japan has different standards, flavor, and quality to it. I would say the best ones are created by the monks. The first matcha she brought for me was created by the monks.

Overall, I would rate this 8/10 for flavor and texture. For the color and smell, its 9/10. The packaging is cute and in Japanese. So it’s hard for me to understand it. At the back, they provided a large site information which is great for you to buy their matcha tea online. You can check the site online and see what else they offer.

March 16, 2019June 21, 2023

How To Make A Good Matcha Habit

Fitness goals are not complete without developing a matcha habit. Some of us have goals and some do not. It is easy to say what we really want than taking action. We take action by taking the necessary steps to be healthy and fit. Matcha tea has made its way to our homes and our hearts. It influences every person to choose a matcha for a healthy lifestyle. The question is how to make matcha a fitness habit.
Fitness experts have different ways to integrate matcha tea into our daily routine. Here are ways to get creative and adapt the matcha habit.

Drink matcha tea-like coffee every morning. Matcha tea helps you to get a fresh start. You know that matcha caffeine effect 4-6 hours a day. It will help you to get rid of the early morning stress syndrome or I need to wake up feeling. It will boost your focus and concentration throughout the day.

Before you start an exercise program and routine, prepare a matcha drink that will aid as water during the activity.

Mix your matcha drink with healthy meals. Like early morning toast, smoothie bowl and fruit meals. Skip the matcha drink with cream that will break your fitness goals. Balance matcha with meals that have less sugar, less carbohydrates and oil.

Food made from matcha can be good for you. Consume sweets, baked goods and lifestyle drinks made in matcha tea in moderation.

Exercise more every other day. While you rest in between make sure to drink your matcha during your exercise intervals.

Lastly, observe your body and the results you get for a one or two. Notice any difference? If you do then you are on the right track. If you are not, better plan your meals. Make sure you eat in moderation and get more exercise. Never blame your excuses and other things that are blocking your path on your way to your goals. It is not somebody elses fault if you are not making progress. It is your matcha habit to create.

March 12, 2019June 21, 2023

Baristas Best Matcha Green Tea Drink

I bought this instant matcha green tea drink at 7/11 store because I got curious how Matcha tea would taste in a preserve drink. When I tasted it, the matcha tea flavor was there. Although it was too sweet because of added sugar, lactose, and sucrose. I thought consuming it would be healthy. I was looking at the nutrition facts and the ingredients at the back. I realize since they added some special sweeteners, artificial flavors, and milk which made the taste really good. It was not natural in a way that I would like it. Now, I understand why they added those ingredients and it is okay. It just gave the drink a bit more flavor since matcha tea has a really subtle taste because the flavor was there but not as natural as I prefer.

After I drank the whole bottle, I felt it was too commercial. I love the Matcha tea added on the drink. Overall, this drink fell short on the natural level and its sweetness. Personally, this could have been a really good drink without too much sugar in it. For people who really loves the sweet instant matcha drink, you will love this. Otherwise, if you are the type who doesn’t like too much sugar. Just take it easy on this drink. Or do not even try it. All in all, I think this drink is okay but it could have been better. Thank you.

Although the taste was good, I felt like this drink was lacking something that made me come back for a second bottle. There seemed to be an artificial sweetness taste instead of the natural sweetness that I usually get from my favorite matcha. There was also too much sugar added which I didn’t like at all. This might be too sweet for some people and if that’s you, then simply don’t bother trying it.

I think if the sweetness level was toned down in this drink, and the natural flavors were brought out more, it could have been a really enjoyable beverage to sip on. I would recommend this drink to those who already enjoy sweet matcha drinks or those looking for a new instant option with a good taste. It just needs some fine-tuning and I think it could really hit the spot!

Overall, this wasn’t a terrible drink, but there are many other better options available on the market. If you’re looking for a great matcha experience, then look elsewhere. Otherwise, give this one a try and see if it’s for you.

I would rate this 7/10. Honestly, this drink is not good for people who wants to go natural. If you want a natural drink, buy Koicha (thick) or Usucha (thin) matcha tea from credible sources. Then learn how to prepare it how the Japanese would drink it.

March 9, 2019June 21, 2023

10 Health Benefits of Japanese Matcha Tea

Let’s find out the benefits of Japanese Matcha Tea. In Japanese culture, drinking Japanese Matcha Tea is a widely known and accepted. Back in the Tang Dynasty in China, tea leaves were steamed and formed into tea bricks for storage and trade. It became popular in the Song Dynasty where the method of making powdered tea started. Then it became a necessary part of the ritual by Chan or Zen Buddhists.

One of the Zen Buddhists brought Matcha Tea to Japan in 1191 by monk Eisai. In Japan, it became highly integrated at ceremonies by Zen Monasteries and people. From there, Matcha green tea was born. Let us read more about how Matcha Tea can benefit your health.

1.) It helps improve your mental focus because of its high Theanine content. It gives you that surge of energy when you work.

2.) It gives an energy boost without the typical jitter and acidity associated with coffee. Once we get older, our body acidity goes high. Consumption of coffee may give you stomach pains, acid reflux, and complex acid reactions. It is better to have an alternative to coffee the reason some people drink Matcha tea.

3.) It makes your skin look younger.

4.) Matcha has Catechin EGCg, most widely known for its cancer-fighting properties.

5.) Enhances your nerves to make you feel calm but alert.

6.) Boosts memory and concentration.

7.) Increase your endurance up to 6 hours or more. From my experience, it even makes feel active all throughout the day. The endurance makes you even more productive especially if you have two jobs.

8.) Improves your metabolism and helps to burn calories in your body. Personally, drink Matcha Tea before you exercise. It will help you meet your fitness goals X2.

9.) Detoxifies our body from chemical toxins from the food that we eat.

10.) Fortifies the immune system and balances our cholesterol levels.

You get a lot of benefits from Matcha Tea. The list could go longer. I have only 10 on the list. I will keep you updated for more. If you are reading this post and you drink coffee, you should try Matcha Tea. It will give you more than what coffee could offer. It is rich in antioxidants and has a higher concentration of caffeine than regular green tea. Matcha tea can help you stay focused and energized as well as boost your metabolism. This makes it an ideal beverage for those looking to lose weight. Additionally, research has shown that Matcha Tea may reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses. All in all, Matcha Tea is a great choice for anyone looking to improve their health and well-being. Thank you for reading and remember to try it!

March 5, 2019June 21, 2023

Cafe Bene Review

My review of Cafe Bene. I knew about Cafe Bene from my husband. I was new here in LA and we were going around in downtown LA.
We went to this Cafe because my husband wanted to study for his exams. After driving, we came and tried to go around twice for parking. It was difficult for us to find parking especially when all the parking slots are full. We found one after 8 minutes, it was a block away from the cafe. We had to walk several minutes to get there. Personally, it was okay for me but my husband who was bringing his briefcase and books which look very heavy, it was not okay with him.

He said he goes to this Cafe whenever he wants to study and enjoy coffee. We went in and check the menu. Since it was my first time my husband suggested I tried their matcha tea drink. He knows that I love matcha. I drink it almost everyday just like coffee. When we went in it was really busy, so the guy told us it would take time for us to receive our order. We told him it was fine and find a good spot near the cashier area. I told my husband if he can study with all the noise and he was okay with it. We tried connecting to the internet. We connected though it was super slow. So we spent like 20 minutes inside and got my drink.

The hot matcha tea latte was really good. It was creamy not too sweet and strong enough to keep me awake for the next few hours. It was so good that my husband ordered another one but we take it to go. After 30 minutes spending time in the cafe, everyone was just getting too noisy and we decided to leave and find a find a cafe with less crowd. It was a bit disappointing I wanted to stay there and eat. My husband said we’ll just go back there in another time.

My verdict about the matcha tea latte I would rate it 9 / 10. Why I just feel there was too much cream. I am not fond of putting cream in coffee or in my matcha drink. Anyone who likes ice cream on their matcha drink will really love this concoction. Overall, it’s very refreshing and strong. It keeps you till like 4 a.m. In the morning (just like what happened to me).