Naoki Matcha has a new Masters Collection tea that I’ll be drinking today. Ujitawara Special Blend Matcha is made up of Uji Hikari and Samidori cultivars, stone ground in Kyoto Japan.
The matcha powder has a grassy and fruity sweet scent that reminds me of raspberries. Ujitawara has an excellent vibrant green hue.
I used 2 grams of matcha powder, usucha style, bamboo whisked in 5oz/150ml low temperature (175F/79c) water. Ujitawara Special Blend Matcha whisks up with a good amount of foam build up. I’ve seen thicker, but this one is pretty good.
Tasting of Naoki Matcha’s Ujitawara Special Blend Matcha
Naoki Matcha’s Ujitawara Special Blend Matcha has a super smooth and coating texture – it makes my mouth feel coated in heavy cream. The flavor is fresh blades of sweet grass and a pristine white button mushroom umami and white asparagus. The aftertaste is a delicate floral with more fresh sweet grass. Ujitawara has fairly low bitterness and some astringency that dries my cheeks once I’m halfway done drinking the bowl.
Cold, the umami comes forward first, with the sweet grass at the end, sweeter than it was hot. Despite it being chilled, it is still thick and creamy in texture.
Comments
Ujitawara Special Blend Matcha is well balanced between the grass, sweetness, and savory. I particularly enjoy the dense texture and aftertaste, which makes the tea experience last longer.
The last Naoki Matcha I had was their Chiran Matcha, which has a nutty flavor, but both matchas are close in quality.
(tea provided for review)
