As my time in New York comes to a close, it would be a shame if I didn’t share a couple of things us Midwesterners are missing out. Nominally, Blank Street Coffee.

As a Starbucks Barista, I don’t loooveee our matcha. We use milk that’s filled with added sugar, the method we use to make the matcha is incredibly uncultured, and we add hyper-processed sugar to the milk. It’s very questionable and absolutely not how you make matcha. However, Blank Street is also questionable…but their performance is more legitimate. They take this mass-produced bottle of matcha concentrate (unsure if it’s whisked or blended like Starbucks) and measure it, and pour it on top of the milk base. Also, Blank Street uses real ingredients in their drink bases, like you’ll find real cookie crumbles, jam, and pistachio paste in your drinks rather than a syrup. It’s refreshing and feels almost natural (even though it most definitely is not).

Regardless, I’ve decided to rank the Blank Street matchas since I love matcha and it’s a rather small menu. I’m not really going to use any specific criteria since I think that my descriptions will suffice for reasoning, so let’s go!

Blank Street currently has 6 matchas. Blueberry, Daydream, Strawberry Shortcake, Cookies and Cream, Salted Pistachio, and White Chocolate.

According to Breakaway Matcha, matcha is supposed to be an electric green color. Vibrant and appealing (far right), not like a garbage-green (far left).

Before I rank these, I think it’s fair I give my thoughts on just plain matcha with almond milk. I used almond milk with all except the pistachio one, which only comes with pistachio milk (pls forgive me I’m lactose intolerant).

Matcha Latte. (Iced)

I will say, it’s good. But its difficult to taste the matcha flavor. I feel like it gets easily overpowered by the milk, but it’s nonetheless very pleasant for a “fast food” type matcha, as opposed to a slow-paced, sit-down cafe. Solid 6.5/10 overall, it’s fine, but it’s not extraordinary. The color is fantastic though.

Matcha Tea. (Iced)

When going for a matcha, I strive to get that grassy taste. I like it slightly bitter, earthy, and smooth, and I think that’s what makes it perfect. I personally loved the matcha tea, which you can get iced. It’s simply the matcha concentrate with water. The water, since it’s much lighter than milk, really pulls forward the undertones of the matcha, something that milk often hides. This, I think, is the only time you can really taste the “grassy” flavor. 9/10.

Blueberry Matcha.

NOT blue at all, which was unexpected – but very pleasant. It has a very light purplish tone, which once again, give it a natural-flavoring feel. It’s sweet, but not overly sweet. The matcha flavor solidly pulls through, but it’s not noticeable that you’re drinking matcha. 8/10 for enjoyment, 5/10 for actual matcha flavor.

Strawberry Shortcake.

Wow. This one blew my mind. I genuinely was shocked with my first sip. The rim the inside of the cup with jam and it’s so authentically strawberry tasting. It’s very sweet and the matcha flavor absolutely does not exist, but nonetheless, it was an excellent satisfaction to my dessert craving that day. 9.5/10 in terms of enjoyment, 4/10 for actual matcha flavor.

Cookies and Cream.

I didn’t think it would actually taste like the name, but it definitely did. Moreover, having actual cookie bits blew my mind. Starbucks could never (oops!). The cream I believe was just something sweet at the bottom, perhaps the darker brown layer. I totally slurped this one down, it was very good. It was however, very sweet. I think I preferred the Strawberry Shortcake one to this though. 8.8/10 for enjoyment, 4/10 for matcha flavor.

Daydream Matcha.

The Daydream flavor is overhyped for sure. When I heard “Daydream,” I thought it was going to be something really sweet, and I was definitely craving a dessert drink. But, I think this drink should’ve had a more “fall” theme. The cinnamon threw me off. It’s got a nice honey sweetening and a strong cinnamon pull and I’m sure it would’ve been phenomenally warm. Not exactly my cup of tea. Definitely would be better as just a latte. Matcha and cinnamon feel juxtaposed in my head for the summer. 6/10 for enjoyment, 5/10 for actual matcha flavor.

White Chocolate Matcha.

Underwhelming hahaha. I really thought it was going to be some sweet, milky, thick flavor. Instead, it just tasted like a slightly sweetened version of a regular matcha with almond milk. Not bad, but not at all what I expected. 4/10 for enjoyment, 3/10 for matcha taste.

Let me say, I don’t hate Blank Street at all, it’s just not matcha tasting at all hahaha, unless you get the matcha tea, NOT the matcha latte. Hopefully, I can one day find the perfect matcha to get. Blank Street – a good treat, not really a good matcha.

XOXO, J 💗

Blank Street Matchas - Reviewed

Blog Post Title Two