Ended up recently ordering a few new matchas from Rocky’s, but I’m holding myself back and only trying one until I finish something in my current rotation of three.
First to try is the Ceremonial Blend from Rocky’s Matcha, $28 for 20g.
I’ve been curious about Rocky’s for a good while because so many popular cafes use their matcha, especially in the LA area, and there are rave reviews over what little social media I’ve consumed recently that make it out to be the holy grail.
I take the latter with a grain of salt, because hype usually isn’t just attributed to a product, but the ~brand~ and the image/reach/community they cultivate. Which is admittedly great–Rocky’s is likely one of the most mainstream matcha brands in the US, especially among individual consumers who make theirs at home.
Their trendiness and subsequent approachability definitely goes a long way in helping dip toes into making matcha at home.
To that point, however, I find the sheer lack of actual description given for each product a little surprising. With the exception of a few being noted as “slightly sweet” or more “earthy”, 3-4 blends are described as creamy/silky/rich with a very green color, which… I take as a given. I realize blends are usually created to balance out the more distinct profiles of individual cultivars, but would a more nuanced flavor/note breakdown really go amiss?
Reviews on the site don’t help much, as everyone either just writes “best matcha ever” or gives their recipe for making “the perfect vanilla matcha oat latte”.
Maybe the flavor descriptions are so vague/abstracted because too much detail might be overwhelming for their intended consumer base? Minor gripe. It would be consistent with the “ceremonial grade” labeling used for the matcha, but it is what sells on the Western market.
The matcha comes sealed in a pouch within the can, which doesn’t lock airtight. I double bag my cans as well, but this is a bit inconvenient. Let it not be missed that Rocky’s sells Kotodo sealed tea canisters on their site, which I interpret as their recommendation to buy for storing their products.
Off-topic, the team’s communication response time is fabulous. I inquired about a possible address change for convenience, and they got back to me within the day. Thank you team.
Color
I said in the Soukou review that I would only comment on what I could observe, and there is a definite difference in color compared to the other two I’ve been drinking.
To me, this looks less vibrant than both Hanaka and Soukou, slightly yellower-green. Still quite vibrant.
Description
Official: “Our ceremonial grade blend is rich and savory and boasts a beautiful green color. We recommend our ceremonial grade blend for everyday matcha drinkers and it's our favorite matcha to use for matcha lattes.”
Their most popular product is a blend of Okumidori, Saemidori, Okuyutaka, Tsuyuhikari cultivars, from Yame.
Tasting notes: “rich and savory”
Scent
The scent of the matcha powder is a little dusty? but in the best way though, just like how matcha normally smells.
It smells most quintessentially “matcha” out of all the ones I've had so far. like how matcha-flavored snacks smell. This is the best way I can put it because Hanaka and Soukou don’t smell like matcha–their individual notes are much more defined.
Accordingly, the scent itself is a little greener.
Taste
I used 175°F water(boiled once and cooled), and two scoops with a chashaku as usual.
It definitely tastes a bit greener/grassier than Hanaka or Soukou, but if you’re drinking matcha, you were probably looking for the green anyway. It’s also creamy, but not as creamy as Soukou. It also has the slightest hint more astringency, so slight it feels wrong to even say there is astringency in this, but Soukou was so mild/invisible in comparison I do have to note that. It’s not particularly nutty, just well rounded. It’s less mild than Soukou, with more of a “matcha” identity.
Rocky’s recommends this Ceremonial Blend to use in lattes, but it’s still so mild, you would need a high matcha : milk ratio to taste it. I would recommend just enjoying it straight.
Thoughts
Rocky’s Ceremonial Blend matcha is a well-rounded, solid matcha with a full body, low astringency, and lower umami that won’t be too much for anyone. It’s not life-changing, but did you even think it was?
It has more character than Soukou, but otherwise it is very balanced in flavor. If you’re looking to get into matcha but are incredibly sensitive about green/grassy flavors, just start with Soukou and ease yourself into it.
If you drink mainly lattes, I recommend this Rocky’s blend over Soukou, though this is also quite mild.
I personally like more character in my matcha than Soukou, even straight, so this will replace it in my “all rounder” niche, though I’m still put out that I now need to buy a proper canister for storage.
Whenever I finish a current tin, I’ll be trying Rocky’s Osada Ceremonial Blend, which I believe is a newer release.