Matcha DNA Black Matcha (Review & Giveaway!)

Hi loves! Before I dive into the meat of this post, I thought I'd give you a heads up- this review isn't going to be like the ones you've read on here before. I want to try something out and embed the review within a post about a larger topic. Hopefully, this well make it more fun to read! Whaddaya say? Will you give me your opinions in the comments?  Okay! Here we go!

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As the country starts preparing in earnest for the fourth of July, the East Coast is bracing ourselves for something distinctly less patriotic- our first named storm of the season! Hello there, Arthur!

When a big storm starts brewing on the horizon, there are a couple things I like to have on hand!

1. Candles!

I don't know how the new house will fare in the face of a big' un, but we lost power a lot in the one we just moved from. This time, I'm beyond well-prepared with my favorite fandles courtesy of fandlemonium! Plus, there's just something cool about a candlelit room, am I right?

I guess  you could have flashlights instead... but that's nowhere near as fun!

2. Blankets!

Watching a storm has always been a delight of mine- nature loves to prove how incredible it is with light shows and audio effects,  and who am I to not watch with the awe the great outdoors deserves?! While pressed up against the window-panes is great on t's own, it becomes a million times more comfy when there are blankets galore (preferably in a nest or fort, but draped over shoulders will do in a pinch!)

3. Company!

Being alone in your house/apartment/place-of-dwelling in the midst of a storm is the making of a horror film! Besides that, it's so much more fun (and safe!) to have friends and family in the blanket fort with you! Scary stories can be told in the flickering light, with thunder to make everyone jump, but let's keep from being those kids who always die first in scary movies, yes?

Lucky me, I'm having Kitty, Megan, AND Sean over! Can't wait for some thoroughly missed roomie bonding (and hearing all about Spain in the summertime from Megs!)!

4. Entertainment!

This can just be the aforementioned story-telling or it can go the 21st century route- If your power doesn't go out or you have some fancy type of technology, movies are always a fun idea when you can't go outside! My mom is already talking about renting Jaws... because watching that while the ocean is literally coming to meet your back door makes so much sense!

5. Beverages!

What's a storm without some comforting liquids? Tea, Cocoa, Alcohol (for those over 21!), whatever floats your boat, you should have on hand (get it? Because water level is gonna rise and waves will be choppy... ah, forget it). For Arthur, I'm going to have mugs-on-mugs of black Matcha tea thanks to Matcha DNA!

They sent me this HUGE (no seriously, it's 10 ounces!) bag of deliciousness, and I have been beyond impressed! It not only tastes great, but it is Swiss certified organic, sustainable grown for maximum potency, and crazy high in antioxidants.

If you don't like it plain and hot (some don't), this powder can be used in food preparation or in the two recipes the folks at Matcha DNA were kind enough to send me- a latte or a martini!!!

If you are like me and prefer simplicity when it comes to your tea, all it takes is half a teaspoon and some hot water!

I added a splash of milk and some sweetener to my first cup! I needn't have, considering the natural sweetness, richness and smoothness! You live and you learn, I guess?

Is all of this making you wish you had some Matcha DNA on hand? I thought so! Luckily for you, the lovely folks of the company are letting me host a giveaway! Still too long a wait in your opinion? Head over to amazon to purchase your own now!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How do you prepare for a storm? Ooh! And what did you think of this review format? 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

tea for two

During study days, Laura and I had another roomie date! Unfortunately, the weather was not as cooperative as it was for our last one... but we didn't let that stop us! We trekked through the rain and wind (on barre-sore legs!), until the beautifully colorful oasis that is David's tea welcomed us... 

... with shot glasses of warm coconutty tea (mmmmmm) and a place to park our behinds

I mean, whaaaat? What are shot glasses? Mom, inform me of this completely unknown means to imbibe beverages!

(no cute Canadian is safe from my sneak attack pictures! Mwahaha)

Speaking of Mom(s)-something we have been doing lately- David was ever so thoughtful in putting together a mother's day selection! Because tea always makes the perfect gift! Laura got her mummy a mother's day collection that is no longer on their website (awww), but which contains awesomely named mixes like "mother's little helper" and "hot mama" (Yay!) 

^a godzilla sized ingenuitea!^

Tea-infused CHOCOLATE!

Where was this when I was feeling deathly ill all of April?

dessert themed tea in the cutest little ice cream containers!

I pretty much want to live in the store (and own one of those cardigans! How cool is that?)

you could say we sniffed a lot of tea...

This was my favorite! Strawberry rhubarb parfait smells of happiness, strawberries, and cream. Plus, it steps this very deep, super cool red!

Logically speaking, "Oh Canada!"must be Laura's favorite! Just look at those wittle maple leafs in the mix!

also, this- "Looking for a taste of Canada? Try this red rooibos tea. It’s sweetened with (what else?) maple syrup and sprinkled with delicious maple leaf candies. Plus it’s 100% diplomatic (well, caffeine-free) and tastes great in both our official languages. (...) A truly authentic Canadian experience." Anyone else LOL-ing?

I walked out with three little baby tins and enjoyed all three through finals and into summer!

One last sneaky pic of my darling (who's now back in Canadia... I miss her *sad face*)

brewing up ingenuiTEA

 I already knew adagio teas were wonderful for their tea... but this post takes my obsession with them to a whole new level! Are you ready for this? (hint: the answer is an emphatic "yes!")

This little contraption? It makes the perfect cup of tea. Every. Time.

  

So, it's kinda my favorite thing. And yes, it is ingenious.

Here's how it goes:

1. Cover the bottom mesh-y part with your loose leaf tea-of-choice.

2. Add boiled water (boil it however you usually do- kuerig, kettle, specific machine made to boil water... you do you, boo boo!)

3. Leave it to steeeeeeep.

4. Admire how cool it looks and exclaim several times how it looks like a potion in Snape's classroom

...

Just me?

5. Put the whole contraption on top of your mug! The valve at the bottom will open up and out will stream your perfectly perfect cuppa! 

Basically, match made in heaven.

It's a little annoying to clean, but no more so than a tea ball! Writing this has made me want (another) cup of tea... care to join me in a mad hatter's tea party?

Red Leaf Tea White Matcha Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Alternate title was "match matcha ey ey" but I thought I'd try to be professional about this.

I've been intrigued by matcha ever since I've learned of its existence. As an ardent tea lover, trying this new and stone ground variety was at the top of my list! But everywhere I poked my curious little nose always seemed to be advertising Green tea... and I should probably get though my stores of that before accumulating more. So, when I was perusing the pages of tomoson (as a way to postpone homework, but we shan't focus on that) and stumbled upon this opportunity with Red Leaf Tea for a unique White Matcha review- well, I simply had to apply didn't I?

It helps that they promise a whole slew of benefits from drinking Matcha including:

High antioxidant count to kill free radicals in the blood stream

Reduces the risk of certain types of cancer

Decreases fine lines and wrinkles in the skin

Helps maintain a beautiful complexion

Oh, and, it has only one percent (1%) caffeine content of coffee. This is good for sharing, since Kitty's not big on the whole caffeine thing but LOVES the natural tea thing!

So, that's what ground tea leaves look like. Ta dahhhh!

Not going to lie, I had to look up a how-to in order to make this first cup! Apparently there's a whole ceremony to go along with matcha traditionally, but I just added the water in intervals while stirring the tea to make first a paste and then a murky cuppa.

I also made a cup for Laura, since she was just as intrigued as I was! As a newly converted tea-lover (for which I claim full responsibility!), she really loved that matcha isn't as water-y as normal tea. It has a texture that puts it firmly between coffee and tea, which is really awesome considering we love both of those beverages in our room! My Canadian's score? 5/5!

I decided to break out the fruit to enjoy my newest addition to my tea collection! This was a wonderful decision and I highly recommend it- the fresh berries really complimented the natural sweetness and subdued flavor of the tea.

Oh noes! Out of tea but have more fruit... guess I need to make another cup!

And, for the record, I completely agree with Laura's 5/5 review!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.