The Mystery Matcha from Japan
This might just be one of the best matchas I’ve ever tasted… and I don’t even know its name.
R got it for me from her friend who recently went to Japan — and with the matcha shortage hitting hard here in the Philippines, I couldn’t resist asking if they could grab me any matcha they could find. A few weeks later, I was handed a small tin — no English, no familiar brand, just minimalist Japanese text and a forest-green container that already looked promising.
As soon as I opened it, I could tell this was something special. The powder was bright, vibrant green — the kind that practically glows — and it smelled incredibly fresh and earthy. I whisked it traditionally with hot water, and the first sip had me shook. Rich umami, a natural sweetness, no bitterness whatsoever, and a creamy finish that lingered on the tongue. It was pure, balanced, and deeply satisfying.
I’ve honestly been trying to hunt it down since, scouring Shopee and checking out other pasabuy sellers here in the Philippines, but so far, no luck. The mystery matcha remains... well, a mystery.
One thing’s for sure though — this tin reminded me why I fell in love with matcha in the first place. Thank you, R, for scoring this gem for me! If any Japan matcha plugs are reading this… help a girl out! 🍵💚