Koko Riko Tea
Premium Ceremonial Matcha
Tasted November 2020
About Koko Riko Tea: The company founder and owner, former model Sofia Mazur, started the London based brand in the year 2019. In her 2020 interview with Floar België, Sofia courageously spoke about the difficulties she experienced at the time of being a model (shared by many models) including difficulties to live a healthy lifestyle, body image concerns, and working through an eating disorder. Although health and healing have been a multifaceted journey, matcha has been a consistent facet of wellness for the young entrepreneur. Koko Riko Tea is a brand centered around health and wellness, that is also bold and bright, and unafraid to stand out. At the time of this review, Koko Riko Tea carried two matcha blends and three beautiful matcha starter kits, including one with a pink drinking chawan. Thank you Sofia for being willing to share your story. In doing so, you provides representation and light for many facing similar challenges.
About Blend: The Premium Ceremonial Green Tea Matcha AAA+ is an organic matcha from Kigoshima, Japan.
Price: $29.15 per 30 grams
Scent: A very light fresh and creamy smell.
Koko Riko Ceremonial Review
Color: A darker green with some brown tones. Points 2.75
Foam: The crema is thin with larger air bubbles. The usucha preparations were silky and highly astringent. Points 2.75
Taste: This blend is deeply earthy and reminded me of Chinese gunpowder tea. The strong bitter flavors made it difficult to note vegetal or umami notes. Points 2
Final Score: 2.5 out of 5 points
Thoughts: I find this blend is best suited for latte preparations. The bitter taste is rounded out by the additions of steamed milk, yet maintains a pronounced earthiness. This is a good blend for those who like a stronger flavor in their matcha latte.