Matcha in the US?

Over the past few years, a couple of Matcha products have become available in the US, but I haven't seen much in the way of matcha powder. I was wondering if anyone could provide reviews or opinions on matcha drinks they've encountered, or advice on where to pick some up.

Jamba Juice has Matcha smoothies that I think taste a bit like green tea ice cream (i.e. pretty good) Starbucks has a Matcha frappuccino, and apparently they also sell a mix of matcha, dried milk, and sugar Tully's Coffee probably has a similar frappuccino style drink, but they also have a straight matcha green tea. When I had it, it was very sweet, so I presume it was a matcha/sugar mixture Allegro Coffee (in Whole Foods stores) has a matcha/ginger/sugar mixture that sells for $42/pound. It's completely dominated by the ginger

In terms of retail, the only matcha I've encountered in stores is Republic of Tea "Double Green Matcha Tea", which is a blend of matcha powder and green tea leaves, so not a very genuine experience.

Where can you purchase matcha powder in the US? What is a reasonable price for unadulterated matcha? Should there be a significant price difference between thick and thin style?

Thanks, Adam

Reply to
Keflavich
Loading thread data ...

The only place I have ever seen matcha in an actual store is in fancy Japanese department stores in NYC. I get matcha from the internet:

formatting link
formatting link
formatting link

There is a discernable difference between kiku mukashi, from o-cha.com and $26.95 for 30g, which is billed as suitable for thick or thin, and yugen from Matcha Source, which is $25 for 40g and thin. So, there seems to be a bit of a price difference but nothing too radical. The yugen is fine, and I drank the whole tin in about a month, but I prefer the kiku mukashi.

Good luck and enjoy!

Alex

Reply to
Alex

I buy Matcha powder at Mitsuwa Marketplace in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.

formatting link

To my plebian taste, thick or thin depends on the matcha/water ratio.

Reply to
Nick Cramer

True, but lower quality matcha prepared as thick matcha can taste horribly bad, so some vendors distinguish their varieties of matcha by what style (thick/koicha vs thin/usucha) they can reasonably be used for. Matcha labeled as thick matcha is generally of higher quality.

-Brent

Reply to
Brent

I do ceremony occasionally and the best matcha I've used is from these guys :

formatting link
Shen

Reply to
Shen

I also think that good quality thick match can make a really nice thin matcha. Cheap matcha, to me, tastes like cheap matcha and I end up using it for meringues or macaroons. Shen

Reply to
Shen

This reminds me... do you know of a good source for food grade matcha for baking and the like?

-Brent

Reply to
Brent

I got the last bag from a Japanese vendor on eBay for $10.00 (8oz.). Unfortunately, it was longer than 60days ago, so I can't look up the vendors name. Big green mylar bag. I sometimes buy it for cooking/baking from Ranch 99 Markets. You have one in L.A., I think? Monterey Park? Actually, I've found that the cheaper matchas work better for baking since the flavour is less subtle and needs to be pronounced to hold up in a recipe. Shen

Reply to
Shen

BTW, on warm days, since we're in Berkeley, I stop at the Imperial Tea Court for a cool matcha. They throw it into a blender with chilled water and it's quite refreshing with a squeeze of lemon. Shen

Reply to
Shen

I'm actually from south bay, Los Altos/Palo Alto area. I'll take a look in a couple of the nicer grocery stores around here, but I guess I can always fall back on good ol' eBay. :)

I can't believe I still haven't made it up to SF for the tea houses. I'll get around to it eventually, heh. Is it true that the Chinatown ITC is better than the one near Union Square?

Reply to
Brent

You can find it in Asian supermarkets, the more Japanese the better. It is considered a seasonal item and will unstock quickly. My experience you have to be there when it arrives. There will be a store providing the ceremony groups the quality they require so you'll have to check with them. The last time I was in a store which was recently I saw some for $10/30g. You can also find powdered green tea from China which is much cheaper but probably flavored with jasmine. It is easy to grind your own with a light leaf like Long Jing.

Jim

Keflavich wrote:

Reply to
Space Cowboy

I use the stuff from Upton's for ice cream and cookies. It's very good.

I have also bought Matcha Matutotoyu from a local Japanese store, which was about the same grade and a little bit more money.

---scott

Reply to
Scott Dorsey

Actually, there's none near Union Square. One is in the remodelled Ferry Building which is quite lovely, although touristy. The newest (not a lot of tea knowlege - mostly really good food) is in Berkeley (Gourmet Ghetto) and the oldest ("first authentic Chinese tea house in America", according to Roy Fong), and my favourite, is still the Chinatown shop on Powell Street. If you come on a Sunday afternoon, you'll likely see the competitive old men who bring their canaries in fancy cages while they have tea. If you get up this way, email and we'll be happy to join you for some yum cha and tea! Shen

Reply to
Shen

Matcha Source has two grades of food grade, including some that is pretty cheap - $12 for 100g.

Reply to
Alex

-- I was wondering if anyone could provide reviews or opinions on matcha drinks they've encountered, or advice on where to --- pick some up.

Upton -

formatting link

Reply to
Jabba the Cunt

What makes you think you deserve any help when you give us this kind of attitude?

-Brent

Reply to
Brent

DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.