Whether I'm looking for an extra caffeine boost or hoping for a bolder-tasting green, matcha blends often scratch a craving itch that other teas can't satisfy. I steep at 175° for 30 seconds and get a murky, sludgy green liquor. It looks delicious.

The tea is nutty with a surprising creaminess and a berry fruitiness. The matcha is surprisingly subtle, giving the cup basically no vegetal taste. Mostly the tea reminds me of pine nuts and little else, making it quite different from other matcha senchas I've tried.

Honestly, it stands out; it's different, but I'm a little disappointed. I like my matcha blends like I like my stew. I want a thick, soupy, hearty tea, loaded with flavour. I want to drink it alongside miso soup broth and forget which is which. I want loads of umami.

While this is delicious, all pine nuts and cream, it lacks the ineffable quality that is umami. Tasty? Yes. Would I buy it? No. It just doesn't hit the characteristics I crave when I reach for a tea like this. It's good, but it's not for me.

— To purchase Tea Embassy Matcha Infused Sencha, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular tea, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.

Katie Teaviews.com Reviewer » Read more about this reviewer on Katie's profile page. » Find a list of recent posts by Katie.

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