Matcha IV - a day of exploration

Just because I needed to clear the fresh milk in the fridge asap I made matcha lattes. Aiyah! 真麻烦 the girls want to drink matcha but nobody wants to make, everytime I have to do it. 

And because of this mentality ‘since I’m making matcha I’ll make more’ I realised this can (1) is about to finish this I went on to open up (2). Both cans purchased in September. Link HERE for previous post. 

(1) Matcha from Shizuoka. 

(2) Uji matcha  

It became a day of exploration. Putting the two powders side by side in the sift for colour comparison. You can see a little difference in the colour.

Why do I have (3) ? Not much left, can’t make a teaspoon that’s why I opened (1) previously. 

There’s a subtle difference in all three powders

All are ceremonial powders. (1) & (3) were in the fridge. (1) has a plastic cover before the can cover, (3) is ziploc sealed. If that makes any difference? 

(2) is newly opened and was in the kitchen cabinet away from the oven and stove area [but my EY class galley kitchen is small so maybe heat is bounced here and there]

  Hmm….in this angle the colours look the same. 

Let this fake matcha connoisseur speak 🤣🤣

Jokes aside I’m no connoisseur, I’m as blur or maybe more blur than most people. But based on my cock-eye short-sighted eyesight at first glance when I first opened (1) on 9th Feb the powder didn’t look vibrant green at all which is strange. Can states it’s ceremonial (tho anyone can lie). It’s priced at ¥1620 (if price matters) or did the colour change due to storage? Link to my Matcha III blog, click HERE. 

(3) Naoki matcha powder and the extreme right (2) looks vibrant. 

Truth to be told, I’ve so much to learn about matcha. But do I have the time to compare even more matchas brand in Japan? Do I have the time to read up on matchas? Maybe I should just drink my matcha and shut my mind from thinking and reading too much. Haha! But I have a feeling I’ll have more posts on matchas when I open the other cans. I think this post and the previous ones deserve a label on their own in my blog. 

Questions need to research when I’m free :

(a) is current storage place correct

(b) how long can I keep unopened matcha powder? My powders are 5+ months old since purchase date (2nd Sep 25)

(c) is the way I fold and tape the foil + scotch tape seal can correct? Or is there a better way way to store leftover matchas? 

(d) how long can I keep an opened matcha in the fridge? 

This popped up in my Instagram one day. Is there a need for this at all? If only they have a sakura printed canister. 

I had to pour water, take pic, whisk, take pic, pour into a cup, wash bowl, use another powder, pour water, take pic, whisk, take pic, pour into another cup. 

After I poured the water for the second can, immediately can see the second can’s looks brighter. And if my memory didn’t fail in what I saw earlier coz yours truly only have one bowl so I can’t compare them side by side. 

And after whisking, takes this short-sighted girl to bring the bowl up closer to check coz of the lighting in kitchen. But there’s a sure winner in the second bowl. It’s more vibrant. 

Now can you guess which is which? 

Of course my judgment may be biased coz I didn’t like the Shizuoka’s matcha the moment I opened it early this month. I decided to ask Mr AI for help. 

Drumroll….. 

You can see my question and the answer given

When I did the collages one after another for comparison, I decided to switch the photos 

Switch also no use. When it’s more vibrant the answer will be the same wherever I switch the photos to

So yah that black can is better 

 

Strangely when I did the taste test. (2) is more bitter. Or maybe I should have washed my palate? Perhaps you can’t trust me - the person who still can’t tell a floral or fruity taste in wines. 

6 cups of whisking 🍵 and I’m tired. 6 cups of distraction and I felt a little better. The next task is to deal with all the bits of leftovers in can (1) and packet (3). Poured water into the can and packet and mixed it around 😁. My lazy and not the correct proportion plain tea. 

Left it in the fridge coz my stomach is full from drinking too much water 

Final verdict on today’s exploration 

Wouldn’t buy that Shizuoka’s matcha anymore once I finish the two cans at home. When che-che brought it home, I was shocked by how cheapskate the packaging looks. Doesn’t it look like one of the birthday favors packaging design I would do? 🤣. Shizuoka’s matcha also do not have any の昔 so I’m not sure how legit the tea is. Is it a reseller matcha company? Then again I’m not even expert, do all teas need to have the の昔 indicated.

So far I was happy with the Aichi’s matcha I purchased in Nagoya and Masuda Chaho -¥4400 per can 不好才怪. I think once I finish all the 5 + 3 cans, 80x of whisking, I will only stick to buying proper matcha for myself and the cheap ones for che-che’s matcha lattes 😬. Oh! I forgot I still have another 2 packs of Naoki’s matchas gifted by W.