Matcha Sangetsu no Shiro 20g by Fukujuen
General Info
I got this one as a gift from a friend that visited Japan! Really cool. Never had matcha from Fukujuen before. The shop page describes it as a "high-quality usucha-style Uji Matcha".
This is the first matcha site I have seen where the customers can leave reviews directly. They even leave negative ones up, and offer comments as well. It's interesting to see the other customers' experiences.
Color and Smell
The powder tastes very earthy, slightly sweet. When brewed, it smells very savoury, almost like a meal! When I put my head above the cup and take it in, it's like I'm about to eat a really good noodle dinner with toasted sesame oil and some seaweed.
Taste
The taste fits to the smell! It tastes and feels buttery and slightly nutty. It's subtle and smooth. Feels very intentional, not weak or muted in a negative way. It's not a super strong or bold taste, but is enjoyable.
Conclusion
I think while the taste is good (even if I generally prefer when matcha has a bolder taste, and is more on the nuttier and chocolate-y side with a little grass, instead of this smooth dinner feel), something I don't quite like about it is how easily the powder seems to settle in the cup. This doesn't happen to me with most other matcha I drink. I feel rushed by this one to start drinking as fast as possible, and I have to stir a lot to keep an even profile while drinking, and not just have all the concentrated goodness at the bottom.
๐ต๐ต๐ต๐ต 4 out of 5 matcha bowls.