Green Tea Forum

Almamater · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

I recently bought matcha tea online, and I'm wondering abou the quality. I have drunk green tea for about 2 years, so my experience is limited, but this tea tastes, well, different. The merchant claims it is organic matcha.

It is more "muddy" colored, although still green. Also, it's not as smooth as the other matchas I've drunk, leaves a bitterness on my tongue after I swallow.

Are these indicators of low-quality matcha?

olivierco · Brown Belt Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 71 Location: France

okimasa · Posted: Jul 10, 2008 5:07 am Post subject:

Perhaps you have only tried Usucha ("thin" Matcha) before and you bought Koicha ("thick" Matcha) without realising it.

I'm basing this on your "muddy" colour description.

It could also be a lower quality tea. We should probably leave the website you bought it from anonymous, but a good pointer would be to only buy from sites that specialize in green tea.

But hey, if you really don't like its taste, why don't you use it in some Matcha recipes! Very Happy

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

I'd like more details. Do you mean consistency, or the actual color. The color should be neon green before you brew it, and pretty darn green afterwards.

Almamater · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

Thank you for all the replies!

Yes, this merchant was not a tea-only merchant, so that may explain it. The matcha was $104 for a pound, which is rather inexpensive, based upon my experience.

Kevangogh, when I described the a "muddiness," I meant the actual color. "Murky" might even be a better description. Yes, also in my experience, matcha has been a bright green before I brew it and quite green afterwards. This tea, even before brewing, does not have the brightness of other matchas I've used.

The merchant was Mountain Rose Herbs. They do receive returns, so I am thinking of doing so. If anyone has used their matcha, I'd like to know what you think.

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

I've bought herbs from them before and the quality was good, but what can you expect regarding matcha? I wouldn't return it - you basically got what you paid for. If you bought by the pound, it sounds like its powdered sencha rather than matcha.

Almamater · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

Why wouldn't I return it? It was not advertised as sencha, but as matcha. A pound is a lot, and I don't use matcha for food/other drink recipes.

BTW, do you know why is there a quote "Um, can I add sugar" underneath my name?

okimasa · Posted: Jul 11, 2008 10:28 am Post subject:

britt · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 179

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan