[Limited] Competition Grade Matcha Pinnacle (20g/0.71oz) Reviews

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Author Sarah Longo   (United States)
Review I have had the lucky and rare opportunity to enjoy Hibiki-an's 2012 Competition Grade Matcha Pinnacle twice since I received my order. Matcha is my loved, Number One Favorite Tea! It's super healthy while still being super easy and incredibly versatile!This Matcha is carefully packed in a silvery bag I'm very much definitely sure by hand, the same way as the Pinnacle Grade Matcha as well as the delicious Kuradashi Autumn Matcha I am very much missing. Included is a canister to seal it all back up tightly as shown here in the pictures, as well as a gold box to further protect it. The 2012 Competition Grade Matcha Pinnacle powder is so bright! It's a neon green while still appearing natural, very fun and exciting to see compared to Regular Pinnacle Matcha and Super Premium Matcha, both look quite dark compared. I feel this is a burst of Spring green celebration all around as opposed to the more "Autumn" shades of green that the Super Premium could now possibly be seen as compared to this powder and it's Tea brew (although still Super Premium is still a very amazing Matcha I am extremely thankful for!)
When I first opened my pack, the aroma was an elegant, noble, very gentle, super subtle nearly powdery-floral hint in a sweetly-vegetal Matcha scent. Take care when measuring out this super silky yet very dense powder, be careful to not use too much, it won't be bitter but you'll run out quickly! You really can't go wrong measuring w regards to bitterness though, because there is absolutely none! Sifting takes a bit longer as this incredibly silky powder is so dense. I can tell great care was put into grinding this to be incredibly fine and uniform. I used a lower water temperature to enjoy a more mellow yet still warm bowl of Matcha on this December early evening. Hibiki-an's 2012 Competition Grade Matcha Pinnacle whisks SO easily into a light and very bright green foamed top w Honestly NO effort whatsoever! It's like a velvety cloud! Plus, this foam topping stays around as you enjoy your Tea as slowly as you please. The Tea's green color reminds me of Summer greens: very clean, lighter green matcha brew with an even lighter green foam topping which reminds me of bright green summer grass glowing in the Sun's rays, a bit like a Peridot Summer's Birthstone as opposed to the more "Autumn" shades of green that the Super Premium could now be seen as, compared to this particular Matcha's powder and tea colors.
Once whisked, the Matcha's aroma is the same very subtle and elegant yet noble, very gently sweet, very slight powdery-floral tinged vegetal notes. When sipped, the Tea is SUPER smooth, soft and mellow with absolutely zero bitterness. This Matcha coats your tongue evenly feeling very silky and soothing to your throat. To me, this Matcha blends all tastes together so well, tasting definitely like a very noble tea making it's grand statement extremely politely without having any unbalanced notes. I first taste and sense sweetness, then a bit savory and heartiness to it, and finishes with a mouthwatering note that will be left behind long after your last sip. I don't feel it's as "salty/marine" like as the top 2 grades. Even if I try very hard to find a bitter note it is really incredibly hard to in this Tea! Some may think this extremely smooth, incredibly mellow Tea to taste perhaps "boring" even when prepared thick since it is VERY subtle and unassuming. The ease of preparation, super smooth mouthfeel, and extra mellow flavors along with the fact that once whisked, even if you linger, the powder will not begin to separate and settle to the bowl's bottom are incredible and everything I love about Matcha. My favorite part is how calm and tranquil the Tea drinking experience is compared to how fantastically bright the powder is, it's a burst of green celebration all around, you are almost tricked into thinking something very flamboyant is about to occur. I feel this is more subtle than Shincha Matcha, more silky smooth mouthfeel and mellow flavor. It's a very light Matcha Tea that you can really tell comes from a light and silky powder, yet it leaves you feeling satisfied, both in mind and body, your stomach feels gently full and your mind very calm and relaxed. I feel it is definitely a Tea to savor during quiet, alone times as I prefer, perhaps in the early evening as its starting to get dark outside. It definitely helps me to wind down. Contemplate the very noble yet subtle aspects of this in your favorite Matcha bowl, one that sets a tranquil mood and/or allows the greatest appreciation of this Competition Grade Matcha's special and rare shades of green is recomended. Thank you for sharing with us, Hibiki-an!! :)
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 5 of 5 Stars!

Date December 22, 2012

Reviews Posted by this Author: 132