Not all matchas are created equal. Even among the highest-quality blends, varietals will have different tasting notes.
So what's your matcha?
That's the fundamental question the fuels local small business Emeri, which specializes in sourcing top notch matcha blends and offering a selection so that tea lovers can find which flavour profile speaks to them.
Co-founded by Josephine Au and Justin Ng, Emeri began as a weekend hobby before morphing into an online business. Over the past year or so, Emeri has held some pop-up tasting events at markets and other temporary venues. Soon, Au and Ng realized they wanted to find a space for an Emeri tea shop.
Matcha pop-up in South Granville/Fairview
To put down some café roots, Emeri is having a summer pop-up in the South Granville/Fairview area. Launching July 19 and running through mid-October, Emeri's café pop-up will run Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Two Peas in a Pod catering space at 1426 W 8th Ave.
For the pop-up, Au and Ng are bringing a rotating selection of their premium matcha and hojicha blends they stock for Emeri––an inventory that is often changing as they find new and interesting blends to bring on board.
The hand-whisked Japanese tea drinks are available as iced lattes over either oat or soy milk, and are served with a small amount of sweetner.
As Au explained during a preview session, Emeri's matcha and hojica lattes are presented without fruit or other flavour add-ons in order to keep the focus on the matcha.
Trying different blends encouraged
The menu offers a detailed description of the flavour profile for each tea option and charts the body (matcha) or roast (hojicha) from light to dark.
For example, those who wish to taste the boldest matcha flavour may want to try Emeri's Okawari. The blend from Yame in Japan's Fukuowa prefecture has a rich matcha flavour that's nutty, roasty, and umami in nature. All of the matcha lattes range from $7.25 to $7.95.
The hojicha lattes, all priced at $6.95, centre around the baseline mid-level signature blend, while the Opal, from Kirishima, Kagoshima, for instance, is a lighter, more floral and toffee-forward blend.
Though to start there is no flight or tasting menu option, those who come in pairs or groups can (and probably should!) opt to try a couple of different flavours and taste each others' drinks. Sometimes the variance is subtle, but definitely present.
Additionally, Emeri has two other traditional matcha preparations on the menu. Usucha is a water-based matcha preparation, while Koicha is a thicker version (with double the powder); both are available for in-café enjoyment only and are served in a traditional tea bowl, called a chawan.
The shelves are also stocked with what you'd need to carry on your matcha journey at home, including Emeri's matcha blends, whisks, and ceramic tea bowls.
For snacks, Emeri has brought on Bak'd for their cookies and Holy Mochi for their gluten-free donuts, and the staff can suggest which flavour pairs best with your tea latte.
Au and Ng are excited to share their passion for traditional Japanese teas and to help others find which matcha or hojicha they like best. The business owners also encourage tea lovers to come back to try more as they bring in new blends to showcase on the menu.
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