Marukyu Koyamaen Matcha Review: A Taste Test of 5 Blends (Chigi no Shiro, Eiju, Unkaku, Yugen, Kinrin)
Summary:
- This video provides a detailed taste test and review of five different ceremonial grade matcha blends from Marukyu Koyamaen.
- The five blends reviewed are Chigi no Shiro, Eiju, Unkaku, Yugen, and Kinrin, all noted for their vibrant green color (rated 5/5).
- Each matcha is tasted first with water (Americano style) to identify its pure notes, and then with milk to observe flavor transformations.
- The flavor profiles range from grassy and vegetal (Chigi no Shiro, Kinrin) to distinctively seaweedy (Eiju, Unkaku) and sweet with vanilla undertones (Yugen).
- Final ratings are provided for richness, bitterness, sweetness, and umami for each blend.
- The reviewer highly recommends Unkaku for its bold, rich matcha flavor and Yugen for its sweet, creamy, vanilla notes, especially when prepared as a latte.
- All Marukyu Koyamaen blends are generally recommended, particularly for beginners, due to their affordability and variety, allowing individuals to discover their preferred matcha profile.
Overview of the five Marukyu Koyamaen matcha blends and prepared drinks [ 00:00:05 ]
Introduction to Marukyu Koyamaen Matcha [0:00]
The video introduces a highly requested review of five different Marukyu Koyamaen matcha blends: Chigi no Shiro, Eiju, Unkaku, Yugen, and Kinrin. The reviewer secured these products before a viral shortage made them widely popular. All matcha samples are prepared in two ways: first "Americano style" (with water) and then with added milk, ensuring consistent powder amounts for even taste comparison. A consistent observation across all blends is their "gorgeous, vibrant green" color, which consistently received a 5/5 rating.
1. Chigi no Shiro Review [1:30]
- Taste with Water:
- Initial notes are grassy and vegetal, transitioning into a creamy finish.
- Described as very smooth, lacking astringency or a strange aftertaste.
- Possesses a strong, forward matcha flavor that "bites" initially before mellowing.
- Taste with Milk:
- The milk significantly enhances the matcha's inherent creaminess.
- Vegetal and grassy notes become undetectable, resulting in a purely creamy matcha experience.
- Final Ratings (out of 5):
- Richness: 2/5 (some flavor, but not very rich)
- Bitterness: 0/5 (super smooth)
- Sweetness: 0/5 (not sweet)
- Umami: 0/5 (not umami)
- Color: 5/5 (gorgeous green)
Final ratings for Chigi no Shiro matcha blend [ 00:07:59 ]
2. Eiju Review [2:30]
- Taste with Water:
- The matcha flavor is not particularly strong or bold.
- Characterized by a pronounced seaweed taste, making it a "very seaweedy blend."
- Taste with Milk:
- The seaweed flavor persists but transforms into a "milky seaweed" note.
- Not salty; maintains its smoothness.
- The milk does not significantly alter the primary flavor profile.
- Final Ratings (out of 5):
- Richness: 0/5 (not rich)
- Bitterness: 0/5 (really smooth)
- Sweetness: 0/5 (not sweet)
- Umami: 2/5 (has a savory/seaweedy undertone)
- Color: 5/5 (gorgeous green)
Final ratings for Eiju matcha blend [ 00:08:29 ]
3. Unkaku Review [3:24]
- Taste with Water:
- Also features a seaweed-like taste, but stronger than Eiju.
- More vegetal in character with a slight astringency and a subtly bitter aftertaste.
- Identified as a richer, bolder matcha with a prominent matcha flavor.
- Taste with Milk:
- The bold matcha flavor effectively carries through the milk, preventing it from being overpowered.
- The addition of milk introduces a "nutty" quality, creating a "nutty seaweed" profile.
- Final Ratings (out of 5):
- Richness: 3/5 (bold, strong matcha flavor that carries through milk)
- Bitterness: 1/5 (slight bitterness, but not overpowering)
- Sweetness: 0/5 (not sweet)
- Umami: 2/5 (creamy seaweed tasting notes, full-bodied with depth)
- Color: 5/5 (gorgeous green)
Final ratings for Unkaku matcha blend [ 00:09:24 ]
4. Yugen Review [4:39]
- Taste with Water:
- Presents a very light, grassy, and refreshing taste.
- Features a vegetal quality without any bitterness, maintaining a super smooth texture.
- A "slight tang" or "little bite" is noted at the finish.
- The aroma is compared to wakame seaweed.
- Taste with Milk:
- Becomes "super creamy" and noticeably sweeter.
- The aftertaste shifts from vegetal to sweet, cascading smoother.
- Develops a "slight vanilla note," becoming very sweet and creamy. The milk effectively transforms the powder.
- Final Ratings (out of 5):
- Richness: 1/5 (enough flavor, but not super strong)
- Bitterness: 1/5 (slightly bitter in the beginning)
- Sweetness: 3/5 (tasted like vanilla, creamy, sweeter than others)
- Umami: 0/5 (not savory, more sweet)
- Color: 5/5 (gorgeous green)
Final ratings for Yugen matcha blend [ 00:10:13 ]
5. Kinrin Review [6:14]
- Taste with Water:
- Described as grassy, light, and refreshing.
- Offers exceptional smoothness with no bitterness or astringency.
- Lacks a deep or complex flavor profile, presenting as a "one note" matcha—light, refreshing, and vegetal.
- Taste with Milk:
- The original matcha flavor "disappears" with milk.
- The taste is likened to "freshly cut grass," resulting in a "creamy grassy taste."
- Final Ratings (out of 5):
- Richness: 0/5 (not rich)
- Bitterness: 0/5 (super smooth, easy to drink)
- Sweetness: 0/5
- Umami: 0/5
- Color: 5/5 (gorgeous green)
Final ratings for Kinrin matcha blend [ 00:10:33 ]
Final Thoughts and Recommendations [7:19]
The reviewer provides personal recommendations based on preference for sweet and rich matcha.
- Recommended Blends:
- Unkaku: Highly recommended for its bold, rich, and strong matcha flavor, appealing to those who crave intensity. It also offers a desirable umami (savory/seaweed) undertone.
- Yugen: Recommended for its sweetness, vanilla notes, and creaminess, especially when prepared as a latte, where these characteristics are further enhanced.
The reviewer's top recommendations for matcha blends [ 00:11:18 ]
- General Recommendation for Marukyu Koyamaen:
- All Marukyu Koyamaen matchas are universally recommended, particularly for beginners entering their matcha journey.
- The brand is praised for its affordability and consistent quality across all blends.
- The choice among blends depends on individual taste preferences (e.g., grassy, sweet, bold, umami).
- Kinrin is highlighted as an excellent starting point for beginners due to its straightforward, less complex flavor profile, allowing them to discern their preferences.
- The reviewer encourages viewers to use the detailed descriptions to choose a matcha that aligns with their desired flavor profile.