Monday, April 8, 2013

Marukyu-Koyamaen Makoto No Cha Matcha




This matcha is a special run from Marukyu-Koyamaen. It is specially made and prepared for a famous temple in Kyoto. It was kindly gifted by Greg Demmons. Since one has tried all of Marukyu-Koyamaen 'principal' (regular offering) matcha teas, it was amusing to try something new from this reliable brand. It has been a while since one had opened a new can of matcha. With the spring coming it feels quite natural.

This tea is prepared in the Korean powered tea ceremony...





The dry powder is appreciated and is a vibrant green, creamy, milky, and slightly sweet smell emits from the tea container. There are slight almond-nut notes, savory plum notes also linger underneath. The smell is vibrant.

After this tea is whisked up it is imbibed...



A thick, fresh-pure, grassy-creamy froth fills the mouth. The fresh vibrancy of the initial taste fades into a more creamy-sweet finish on the breath. There is an underlying sweet-almond taste that mixes with the creamy notes of this matcha. That creamy-almond taste makes up the depth of this tea while the vibrant, fresh, grassy-tea tasting initial taste composes the light notes of this nicely balanced ethereal tea. The end result is a very rich, fresh, creamy tea.




Minutes later it is as if sweet milky cream has just been consumed. The qi of this tea is soft, harmonizing and unintentionally pushes one into an alerted state very early in the morning. Peace fills this space.


Thanks again Greg.

Peace

8 comments:

David said...

Hi Matt. Sounds wonderful ! Is that a kind of wooden low table that you have over your carpet ? It is incredible !

Best.

Matt said...

David,

It's a satisfying matcha that is for sure.

The table was on loan from a friend. It was carved by a famous Japanese craftsman that did many temple works.

Peace

Hector Konomi said...

Matt,

I went to Marukyu Koyamaren's site but they don't appear to sell online. Where did you find their teas?

Matt said...

Hektor Konomi,

Got exposed to Marukyu Koyamaen matcha in Korea where this brand is very popular.

This is the place to go for MK matcha in the USA:

http://www.wayoftea.com/shop/all_matcha

Peace

Dot said...

Uhhhh, that matcha review sounds more than tempting to me. I am in love with the Koyamaen matchas anyway, but am still looking for something super mild and SWEET, in q8-10. ALMONDY, nutty, creamy,...
would love to drink just one mouthful of that stuff - a well, a girl can dream ;-)
Do you have any ideas what to buy to get close to that seemingly heavenly stuff, Matt? Great blog, btw
xx

Matt said...

Dot,

See the comment above for a shop in the US that sells MK matcha.

Their higher grade matcha always hits the mark. Good stuff.

Peace

Dot said...

Hi Matt, I live in Germany and the MK matcha varieties are easily available here. I do have Eiju, Choan and Tenju.. It's this special one with what you described as an almondy, nutty aftertaste..
Much love, Dot

Matt said...

Dot,

Don't know where this matcha can be purchased.

Let us know if you track it down!

Peace