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“Guess what arrived today! YUM! This is really very good. The banana flavor is well represented. The only thing that would make this particular matcha better in my opinion is the addition of...” Read full tasting note
“My first matcha experience! Thanks, Meghann, for sending some my way!! Okay, it would probably be a lot better if I had the right matcha tools. A cereal bowl and a metal flat whisk probably...” Read full tasting note
“Steep Information: Amount: 1/2 tsp heaping Water: boiling, 6-8 ounces Tool: aerolatte Served: Hot Tasting Notes: Dry Leaf Smell: banana laffy taffy Steeped Tea Smell: grass Flavor: grass,...” Read full tasting note
“Yes this does taste like rungs!” Read full tasting note
After some trial and error, we’ve perfected the recipe for not one, not two, but THREE brand new flavored matcha blends. Here is the second; and I apologize to our email subscribers for the multiple emails today, but this is an exception, not the rule.
We used up all of the stock of matcha we had in creating these blends so be forewarned, this is a limited edition blend; when it’s gone, it’s gone.
Here’s our premium matcha blended with real freeze-dried banana powder and natural flavors. YUM.
At 52teas.com, you will find unique, hand-blended artisan loose leaf teas: a new limited edition creation every week of the year. We pride ourselves on offering truly unique, one-of-a-kind tea blends that you won’t find anywhere else.
My first matcha experience! Thanks, Meghann, for sending some my way!!
Okay, it would probably be a lot better if I had the right matcha tools. A cereal bowl and a metal flat whisk probably aren’t the best, but it’s all I’ve got here. At first I used 1/2 teaspoon to 8 oz of 200 degree water. After a sip, I added another 1/2 teaspoon.
It does taste like banana runts! It’s not very strong, but it’s definitely there, and the aftertaste is exactly the same as after you finish a runt. The green tea taste is really good, too. Delicious, but…
It’s grainy. I didn’t sift the powder, so maybe that’s it? Or my little whisk wasn’t good enough? I didn’t get much froth, but I did manage to get some. Taste is pretty darn good, but the grainy I can’t handle. Maybe a bit less powder? Advice would be greatly appreciated.
Glad to hear the runts taste pulls through in this matcha. I haven’t tried it yet, so I’m glad to know it’s there! Hope there is a solution to the grainy.
I’m thinking that a better whisk would help. Going to try with a bit less powder, too. Thanks again for sending me this!!
I don’t recommend sifting this particular matcha – I found with my first experience with one of 52Teas flavored matchas that if I sifted the tea, it removed some of the flavor because some of the flavor “chunks” are too big to fit through the fine mesh.
You might have too much matcha in your bowl. And… a cereal bowl is fine! A chawan isn’t all that different, it just has a fancier name. Try this: when you make it, use a little less matcha, and pour a small amount of hot water onto the matcha, and use a fork to sort of blend it into a paste, breaking up any clumps as you go. Then, use the whisk to whisk in the rest of the water. I hope that helps with the grainy texture.
Thanks! I’ll give that a try in the morning. I’ll go with a heaping 1/2 teaspoon. Is there a certain temp of water that I should be using?
I usually use water that is steaming hot, but not yet simmering.
That could have had something to do with it, too. My water was way hotter than that.
And I’m caving, and having caffeine after noon. Because I know this is awesome, and I just need to figure out how to make it right.
Steep Information:
Amount: 1/2 tsp heaping
Water: boiling, 6-8 ounces
Tool: aerolatte
Served: Hot
Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: banana laffy taffy
Steeped Tea Smell: grass
Flavor: grass, bitter
Body: Full
Aftertaste: banana laffy taffy
Liquor: cloudy olive green
I tried this a few times. I started with 180°F water, and progressed up to boiling. I used 6 ounces, and kept adding more water and re-stirring until the matcha was so weak I could not taste it (1 pint). I tried 1/8 tsp -1 tbs. I keep wanting to like matcha, but it is too grassy for me. It is sweet, it smells of banana. The after taste (and if you burp after) is banana.
Mind you this is a laffy taffy / runts strong sweet banana. It’s the grassy flavor that makes this something I did not want again.
Sorry frank!
Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/09/52teas-loose-leaf-green-tea-banana.html
LOL! I did burp after this (not caused by it I’m sure) and it did taste like banana lol.
ha! I am not the only one :) I LOVE runts and was hoping for more runts and less grass :(
I like (not LOVE) runts too (just not banana ones!) and got plently of that… but then again I love green tea.
yea, i keep trying to like greens and failing
Ok, so this is the matcha that concerned me most. I don’t like ANYTHING banana flavored other than actual bananas… but this was Lori’s 1st matcha experience yesterday so I decided to go for it.
The matcha smells exactly like banana runts. Blech. But accurate so I’ll go w/ it. In spite of my chalky matcha yesterday, I decided to make this using the same ratios: 3 scoops:8oz water.
Froths very easily! And still smells very much like banana runts. OK, here goes nothing…
Yep. Tastes exactly like runts. There’s also a slightly vegtal quality from the matcha. And it’s not chalky! :) -1 for tasting like banana candy vs. the fruit. But still pretty spot on.
Maybe the candy just tastes remarkably like the fruit?
No, there’s a candy esque quality to it. Which is maybe good, I couldn’t figure out how it could taste like biting into a banana.
Oh and Cofftea you asked me yesterday about my expecting matcha to taste like my fish- it seems that Japanese treats usually have some sort of sea or seaweed type flavor…
lol probably cuz they actually put seaweed in it? Hmmm…. sushi matcha? (seaweed, sticky rice, wasabi blend)
Of the three flavoured matchas from 52Teas that I’ve had the chance to try, I think this one is my favorite. It really does smell like Banana Runts for one thing and it carries over to the flavour more than the other matchas. I’d liken it more to banana-flavoured candies (minus the sweetness) than I would to the actual banana fruit. The matcha base is a bit too grassy for me to love this tea but I certainly like it.
Let the jealousy over who got their package first ensue!
Yes, let it be known that I am Frank’s favorite. :)
LOL
I think I will like this w/ pineapple juice instead of water… maybe as a slushie using frozen pineapple instead of ice… I’m honestly not expecting to like it hot though. But that’s ok- I need more ways I truly enjoy cold matcha and will take any variation even at the expense of liking it hot.
Way to think positively, Cofftea!
@ Cofftea: You know I could see these being good in baking too. Banana bread with Banana matcha anyone?
Jillian- not for me personally, but I think that’s a WONDERFUL idea! How about Banana chocolate chip cupcakes? With a matcha glaze?