A Matcha Moment Between Seasons (and a Few Floral Cupcakes)

Though Fall is officially here, I’m still holding on to Summer and my matcha latte. What can I say? After sharing my floral cake earlier this month, I couldn’t help but think of all the ways I could elevate my matcha and hold on to that last little bit of Summer warmth. As if the heat from my latte wasn’t enough. And so, I decided to complement it with a couple of other things I had been holding on to… Some reserved floral accents and a few floral cupcakes (made with my leftover cake batter). Naturally, this made for a sweet little pairing — or matcha moment (as I like to call it).

To give it its full moment, I’ll be sharing a matcha I recently tried and love, which is what I used to craft this particular latte. But before we get into that, I want to go over some key elements I look for in a matcha (in no particular order):

. Sourced from Japan

. Certified organic

. Ceremonial grade

. Single Origin

. First Spring harvest

. Stone ground tea leaves

. Vibrant green colour

. No bitterness or astringency

. Smooth, umami mouth feel

. Something that tastes beautiful on its own or pairs well with dessert

Now, while this list might make me look like a bit of a matcha snob, you are absolutely right. But if you read my last blog post, you may have gathered that I have expectations (and that doesn’t just apply to how I take my coffee). Sorry, not sorry.

Note: If you’re unfamiliar with what any of the above terms mean, don’t worry.  I’ll break those down in a separate post.

Okay, now for the actual matcha moment . . .

The matcha I recently tried is a pure matcha from a Canadian company called Mamatcha. And I’m pleased to say, it checks off everything on my list. However, meeting my expectations on paper is one thing; actually making me want to sit down and enjoy a second cup is another. With this particular matcha, I can assure you I’ll be enjoying several cups, so it has definitely earned a place in my tea rotation. And to make that rotation complete, I decided to order their Pure Set, which includes a bamboo matcha scoop and artisan matcha chasen (whisk), as shown below.

Now for the details . . .

Why I love this matcha:

Simply put, this matcha is one of the smoothest and most mellow matchas I’ve ever tried.  While I love a good, strong matcha, I appreciate that this one isn’t overpowering.  It truly makes for such a delicate, well-balanced sip, and leaves room to add flavour without compromising its own, which is impressive.  Because of this, I think it makes the perfect cup for both a new matcha drinker and a more experienced aficionado (or somewhere in between).

How I prepared it:

For this particular matcha, I just followed the directions on the back of the container and measured everything else with my heart.  Mamatcha recommends adding minimal milk to preserve the delicate taste. However, I’m still in the process of figuring out “the golden ratio” for what I prefer overall, as it can vary from one brand to another. I’ll be sure to post more on that as I continue to experiment.

How I elevated it:

To honour the delicacy of this matcha, I opted for a simple, slightly elevated latte by first adding a little vanilla cane sugar into my mug. Following that, I whisked in the matcha and warm water until light and “fluffy”. I then topped it with a touch of steamed oat milk and, of course, a couple of preserved strawflowers.

Note: liquid temperature is very important when it comes to making a quality cup of matcha, but again, this can vary between brands, methods, and personal preference.  Therefore, this also deserves its own post (TBA).

Concluding thoughts:

At the end of the day (and the season), the sweet vanilla, mellow matcha, and soft floral accents made for a beautiful balance that felt as much like Summer as I had hoped, while leaving just enough room for Fall. With that said, I’m off to make another cup… But of course, not without a few more cupcakes…

If you took a moment (or several) out of your day to read this post, thank you!

For more visual details, catch the latest on my IG reels @haveyour.c.a.k.e and let me know how you prefer your matcha and/or which brands you love most. ♡

Xoxo