Matcha Time! Today’s matcha is Smile Tea Organic Premium Matcha by Birouen Tea House, which is from Kirishima, Japan. It is JAS organic and ceremonial grade.
The instructions on the back of the package are confusing as the list and written instructions list different amounts of powder and water. I have never heard of steep time with matcha either. With matcha, I find it is best to just stick to 2 grams and use water to taste.
Matcha Powder and Preparation
Smile Matcha’s powder is full of colour, but dark green instead of the vibrant nuclear green I like to see. It is also pretty fluffy as it needed little sifting.
I used 2 grams and 5oz/150ml of 175F/80c water temperature. I had to fight for that foam. There was so much whisking happening to get this, and the foam structure is big bubbles that vanish.
Tasting of Smile Tea Organic Premium Matcha
Smile Tea Organic Premium Matcha tastes buttery and savory. Then through the sip, I notice the fresh blades of grass that go lightly sweet. The aftertaste lingers as more fresh sweet grass. The matcha feels thick and creamy to drink.
Iced: Smile Tea Organic Premium Matcha cold has a stronger grassy flavour. I felt I added more water to it than usual (and instructions) as it was quite a strong taste. The matcha has a smooth buttery feel when I drink it, with a shocking crisp sweet grass finish. Other than it tasting stronger, both hot and cold styles taste similar.
Comments
Overall, Smile Tea Organic Premium Matcha is decently good. It is an easygoing friendly for new matcha drinkers as it has a pleasant taste and nice thickness. I love the buttery umami start, giving Smile Tea Organic Premium Matcha extra points in my book. I would likely drink the rest of the package which is saying something since I have so much matcha at home, a lot of the low-mid range ceremonial matcha generally becomes cookies. Though the potency and dark shade of this matcha would make some above and beyond cookies.
Price point, it is $19 for 40 grams, so $0.48 a gram. I find the price is fair for mid-range matcha and pretty good for organic matcha. If you only want organic matcha and not spend too much, Smile Tea Organic Premium Matcha is a good choice.
Smile Tea Organic Premium Matcha is also available on Amazon.
(tea provided for review | Amazon Affiliate links)
