[chajin]

My FR name, “Chajin,” means a person who practices the Japanese tea ceremony, which is where the drinking of matcha began. Until this moment I had not heard of the matcha shortage, but it isn’t surprising, given the trend in coffee shops and bakeries to provide it.

I suspect, without knowing for certain, that it is the lower grade matcha that is in short supply, the kind used in baking and mixed beverages. For tea ceremony, I have to get the ceremonial grade or even the competition grade, which is order DHL from Japan at $100 for a 60-gram container, not at all what would be used in the two coffee shops in my town that offer matcha lattes.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

I like the matcha Starbucks uses. Problem is the sugar’s mixed in and you can’t adjust it. All pre-sweetened. I would prefer unsweetened and adding my own honey or agave.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

And I like with (unsweetened) soy or almond milk.

It’s a slower burn caffeine fix than coffee.

However apparently green teas in general are high in histamines? And so in moderation.

[RitchieAprile]

Competition grade? Does it have extra caffeine?

[GOPJ]

I have to get the ceremonial grade or even the competition grade, which is order DHL from Japan at $100 for a 60-gram container, not at all what would be used in the two coffee shops in my town that offer matcha lattes.

I had that once years ago - memorable and delicious...