Matcha Reviews in Glasgow: Bird and Blend

Bird and Blend 

Bird and Blend is a specialty tea company with 18 physical stores in the UK. Each store has a vibrant and colourful theme and has an extremely inviting atmosphere. You can find shelves upon shelves of flavoured teas and matcha, and in a small area in the back they have a bar where you can try anything that appeals to you as a hot or cold beverage. The most local location to me is Byres Road in Glasgow’s West End and it is one of my favourite places to grab a fun-flavoured matcha latte, as Bird and Blend is very well-known for its array of flavoured matcha powders. If you don’t believe me, the vast list of whacky flavours includes:

• Toasted marshmallow
• Ice cream 
• Peaches and cream
• Ginger nut 
• Raspberry ripple 

I have visited this shop/cafe plenty of times, and usually opt for my favourite ‘black magic’ matcha, which is flavoured, weirdly enough, with charcoal and cocoa. It is a very odd combination which I find works surprising well together, especially paired with coconut milk. However, on my most recent visit to Bird and Blend, I was unfortunately told that the black magic matcha had been discontinued, and was ‘forced’ to try a new flavour. When I lay my eyes on the small tub of ‘birthday cake’ matcha lying next to the bar, my curiosity got the better of me and I just had to see what it tasted like. 

Now, I have to be honest. I was in no way expecting this to be good. In my head, I always associate birthday cake to be overly sickening and sweet as a flavour and believe that whenever matcha has to come with a ‘flavour’, it surely cannot be that good quality. However, I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. Upon the first sip, I was greeted with the familiar, earthy notes of a good-quality ceremonial grade matcha, which was a massive relief. The hints of birthday cake came after, in a more subtle, gentle manner with hints of sweet vanilla and sprinkles. The flavour was in no way over-powering and allowed for the true notes of the matcha to be present, without covering that classic ‘grassy’ taste that we all know and love (unless, of course, you don’t!). I opted for coconut milk in my drink, however, I did notice that the carton wasn’t shaken before pouring, resulting in some bits floating throughout the drink. While it didn’t significantly subtract anything flavour-wise from the drink, it was slightly off-putting visually and detracted from its otherwise appealing presentation. 

Is it one of the best matcha lattes in Glasgow? I wouldn’t say so, but it is certainly the most fun! Whether you choose to enjoy it hot or iced, or even go for a different flavour, I feel that Bird and Blend is very much worth a try as, if there’s one thing I am certain about, it’s that there is most definitely a flavour there for everyone!