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

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

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

On Jul 11, 4:23 pm, Brent <bmhug...@> wrote:
> > To my plebian taste, thick or thin depends on the matcha/water ratio.
>
> 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

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

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

-Brent

On Jul 11, 5:07 pm, Brent <bmhug...@> wrote:
> This reminds me... do you know of a good source for food grade matcha
> for baking and the like?
>
> -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

On Jul 11, 1:06 pm, Keflavich <keflav...@> wrote:
> 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

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

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?

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:
> 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

On Jul 11, 6:13 pm, Brent <bmhug...@> wrote:
> 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?

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

On Jul 11, 8:07 pm, Brent <bmhug...@> wrote:
> This reminds me... do you know of a good source for food grade matcha
> for baking and the like?
>
> -Brent

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