MatchaBar
Reserve Blend - Ceremonial Grade
Tasted February 2021
About MatchaBar: The company was founded by two brothers, Max and Graham Fortgang, in the year 2014 in Brooklyn, NY. I am not sure about the accuracy of this statement, but MatchaBar reports being “America’s first matcha cafe.” They have become an extremely successful nation wide company, including selling their Hustle energy drinks at Whole Foods Market. MatchaBar supports the CHOOSE project that works to reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere. MatchaBar also uses 100% recyclable containers. The companies values are community, creativity, and responsibility.
About Blend: Same as with the Ceremonial blend, I had trouble finding where in Japan the Reserve Blend is from. The website mainly focuses on the general health benefits of matcha.
Price: $39.99 per 30 grams, gifted to Grassy Notes
Scent: Buttery and bread like.
MatchaBar Reserve Review
Color: A nice vivid, lime green powder. The liquor was deep green, all indicating a fresh and wholesome product. Points 4.75
Foam + Texture: This matcha froths with ease, creating a soft cloud like crema with little bubble variation. The mouth feel is smooth and silky. Points 4.5
Taste: Over all, this is a fairly mellow, smooth, and easy to drink matcha. The first flavors to show up are a light bitterness and grassiness, that are then followed by a gentle umami and a sweet aftertaste. The umami can be highlighted with the additions of oat-milk. When prepared as a koicha matcha, the umami was further heightened and became more oceanic. Points 4
Final Score: 4.4 points out of 5
Thoughts: The Reserve blend left me feeling relaxed and soothed. Some matcha blends can leave one feeling wired or increase ones heart rate, but the Reserve blend is very calming. I enjoyed it best as a koicha drink because of the heightened umami flavor. Like the Clearspring blend, the MatchaBar Reserve blend has a lovely short lived bitterness that is well balanced by the sweetness and umami of the flavor profile. This blend also does well with a little bit of aging. In a weeks time of opening the container, I noticed further development of umami flavors and a longer finish. The Reserve Blend and the Ceremonial Blend are ultimately two different blends. If you are new to drinking matcha straight, the Reserve blend will likely suit you better and is an excellent options for starting to drink koicha.