Forest Tea Bar is a new matcha spot serving authentic matcha lattes located next to the Equinox on Shattuck. Pulled up on a Saturday and the line wasn't too bad, but they did pause orders for 30 minutes. They're currently open Fri-Sun only, so plan ahead. Limited seating, aesthetic ambiance, and oat milk is their default. Tried all 3 of their classic matcha lattes and ranking goes uji,gen,original Uji - Sweet, your classic matcha latte GenMatcha - Had a sharp nutty, roasted flavor almost like hojicha. After taste reminded me of a popcorn milk tea. Has a punch to it Original - Smooth and slightly savory Overall good spot, think the best you'll find in the east bay. And for that, it's a 5/5 read more

Forest Tea Bar - Gen matcha -- organic matcha -- uji matcha -- rose matcha - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Love the clean and minimalist aesthetic here. Great place to get matcha drinks and other Japanese flavors. Non-dairy milk available. Ordering process is efficient. They have a screen that shows the order progress so you know where you're at in line and when to expect your order. Not a whole lot of seating in the area but there are several small tables/benches. Not good for large groups. read more

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Seen Forest Tea Bar all over my social media and even a news article-- naturally had to come check it out for myself. Visited with my sister on a Sunday afternoon (around 4pm). Thankfully it wasn't super busy. There were still a lot of people inside, sitting, chatting and waiting for drinks. The ambiance inside is so serene and peaceful, even amongst the chatter. I like the way the bar is set up so you can see the baristas making the drinks. It feels like a performance. We tried the Sesame Matcha Latte and Uji Matcha Latte. Liked that their default is Oat Milk-- with a good ratio too. Both drinks were very tasty. The matcha flavor was rich and both were not too sweet. The sesame matcha was very potent. You could argue that the default cup size is small but I thought it was just right. Overall, I think they've had a strong start to their soft opening and I bet they'll get better as time goes on! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Sesame Matcha (left) and Uji matcha (right) - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

A very cute cafe in Berkeley, specialising in matcha! it has a really chill atmosphere inside, and the decor is very photo-worthy. i ordered the sparkling yuzu because i am not the biggest fan of matcha, and it was delicious. the yuzu was definitely remarkable, and my sister, who ordered the hojicha, claims it was her favorite hojicha she has ever had. we waited about 6 minutes for our drinks, so service was pretty fast. i overall enjoyed it and it is definitely a place to catch up with friends, study, or even get a quick drink. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Hojicha Latte + Sparkling Yuzu - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Soft Opening Review. They used to do pop-ups and just opened their own storefront! Ordered: - Uji Matcha Latte - Black Sesame Matcha Latte - Hojicha Latte Their default milk is oat milk, but they also offer house made cashew milk for an additional charge. The matcha is high quality and handwhisked right in front of you. I was actually surprised by the hojicha as it's probably one of the best I've ever had. The black sesame matcha latte worked well together and did not overpower the matcha even though the black sesame paste looked pretty thick. The vibe is minimalistic with an aesthetic interior. Overall, I'm SO happy about this new addition to Berkeley. Definitely my new go to matcha spot in this area! read more

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Everyone's here for the matcha tea but I was intrigued by the tofu ice cream - yay. I spied a kakigori maker in the back of the shop, hope to see some on the menu soon! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

One of my favorite high quality matcha spots that recently opened up in Berkeley! I first tried Forest Tea Bar when the name used to be Three Tea Bowls if anyone remembers the pop up on Shattuck! The quality I had then hasn't diminished over the years, and I'm glad to finally see the brick and mortar of Forest Tea Bar. The interior is beautifully and thoughtfully decorated as well. The drinks itself were delicious, with an earthy flavor profile. The drinks themselves were very oat milk forward if you like something like that! They don't have whole milk options, and so oat milk is the default! The genmaicha is my favorite! I love the toasted rice flavor profile and this doesn't overpower the matcha! Overall would grab some if I'm in the area! read more

For reference: I usually drink my matcha straight - just with hot water. So I normally like all my drinks AND desserts with strong matcha flavor. Forest Tea Bar used to be called Three Tea Bowls before they had their own storefront. DRINKS: Their menu is very limited and drinks only come with either oat milk or you can pay extra for cashew milk. I normally enjoy drinking my lattes with oat milk because I prefer the creamy texture. We tried their regular matcha latte and matcha black sesame. - matcha latte: solid and high-quality matcha latte. However, I prefer my matcha to have a stronger taste. I watched them make my latte, and the consistency of the matcha was more on the thinner side (usucha). I prefer more of the koicha style when making lattes. - black matte latte: this is basically a matcha latte with a thick concentrated shot of black sesame. I love that they used a thick black sesame paste because you can taste both the matcha and the black sesame without one overpowering the other. - hojicha latte: the taste was too light for me, I would not repurchase. - matcha ginger: ginger was not overpowering at all, but provided a nice and light flavor! I've never seen this combination before, but they made it work! SERVICE: You order on a giant screen, and they wait your drink to be made, hand-whisked with a bowl and chasen. There are about 2-3 staff at the counter making your drinks, so you can anticipate about 5-10+ mins for your drinks, depending on how busy it is. We came after yoga and they just opened so we were about 5th in line and took about 10mins to get our drinks. AMBIANCE: Love the interior! Very modern yet traditional vibes. I love how they display the different tools used to make matcha. The interior is quite small, not great for school or office work, but great for just chatting while sipping on your latte. They also have outdoor seats. Overall, I recommend trying once, but probably wouldn't come back since these lattes are drinks I can normally make at home to my preference. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Brief Summary - Ordering is done by a the kiosk - Small, cozy interior - Most of the seating is inside; and there are 2 outdoor seating - Not many parking space - Slow and peaceful atmosphere - Deep and rich match a flavor - If you order the matcha traditionally (not with milk), the nerikiri Japanese sweet gets a combo discount A new matcha cafe opened up in the Berkeley and Ashby area, and in my first visit there it is a new favorite. From the BART stations of either sides, there is a couple blocks of walking, so a bus or a car is easier. The easiest might be a bus because parking is scarce in Berkeley. Inside there are little tables lined up closely together. There is also a bar table if you want to sit and observe the matcha being whisked and prepared. There is one kiosk standing right in front as you enter inside. There is another monitor on the left to track the SnackPass order number. While you can't order via the SnackPass app, you can track your order through there (that's what we did). When called, they called by the name. I ordered the iced matcha latte with the nerikiri, my other relative ordered the matcha served in the traditional style with the nerikiri. When we were comparing orders, we noticed that if the matcha (traditional style) is ordered, the nerikiri's price converts into a discount. However, this discount is only available for one matcha (traditional) per one nerikiri. The combo discount doesn't apply if you order nerikiris as individual orders, even though you also ordered the traditional matcha set. I don't think I need to explain about the wait time; this cafe isn't for those who are in a rush. It's to enjoy sitting down and enjoy time pass. Find a place to sit, chat with your friends or catch up in your social media apps, and soon it will arrive. I'd say, it's fast for a peaceful cafe atmosphere. When the staff calls you by name and you approach the counter, the staff explains the nerikiri ingredients. The nerikiri change seasonally or monthly, so what I had in the photo might be a different sweet on a different day. I also like how the nerikiri was placed on a kaishi paper and eaten with toothpicks. A relative of mine who knows a little bit about tea ceremonies was impressed with how the traditions are followed. If you order this with the traditional matcha style, it also comes with a candied yuzu crisp. This is a wonderful, floral crisp. We were chatting amongst each other that this alone could be a great treat to buy and take home. Double thumbs up with this matcha cafe. I'd regard this one as a high favorite matcha place. read more

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Matcha cafes abound in Berkeley like flowers in spring, I swear like 4 of them opened around the same time. Although Yume Mori is a close second, Forest Tea Bar takes the top spot among all the matcha places in Berkeley imo. Not only are they opened for a few days a week, they maintain the quality despite the barrage of orders. I love the space as well. It's beautiful with the high ceilings and modern architecture. I can see myself sitting here and catching up with a friend. I haven't been back since I came last. But really looking forward to visiting again soon on a weekend that I'm not working. read more

A new matcha favorite! I loved my experience at Forest Tea Bar. We got the iced matcha latte and an iced black sesame matcha latte too. Both were excellent. The matcha is super crisp and really vibrant in flavor. The black sesame matcha might be my new favorite combo. The black sesame added a a bit of nuttiness to the drink which made it the perfect treat. Will be coming back to try more. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Iced matcha latte and iced black sesame matcha latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Creative spin to a matcha drink and very delicious! We ordered the genmaicha matcha(no sugar) and the black sesame matcha. These drinks came out in no time. Though the genmaicha matcha is recommended with some sweetness, we went without it and still liked it! For those who do like a bit of sweetness I highly recommend getting it with some sweetness. The black sesame paste goes well with the matcha but I think it is a bit overpowering. Perhaps I didn't mix it well but it's still a very delicious drink. There are a few tables in the cafe to chat and chill but I imagine this place to be really busy during prime times. read more

We tried the Matcha Latte and Black Sesame Matcha Latte, both were smooth, balanced, and super tasty. The shop has a cozy, aesthetic vibe with friendly and quick service. Perfect spot for a matcha fix! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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High-quality matcha, good service, and definitely giving "hip Tokyo" vibes. I ordered the regular matcha latte, which had a deep umami flavor and vibrant color. Hands-down, one of my favorite matcha spots in the Bay Area. Four stars because parking is tough given the location, and the kiosk/queue setup is not a great experience because the kiosk is directly in front of the entrance. The door swings inward, so it creates an awkward and crowded situation for folks trying to enter/exit the cafe and/or wait in the queue to order on the kiosk. I'd suggest moving the kiosk to a different location inside the shop in order to provide a better guest experience. Hopefully they expand their hours as we will likely be back! read more

The interior is stunning. I absolutely loved the lighting, the decor, and especially the high bar where you can watch your drinks being made. It really adds to the experience and makes the space feel both elevated and inviting. Our barista was clearly passionate about her craft, and it showed in every step of the process. Watching her prepare our drinks with such care and attention made the experience feel personal rather than rushed. When we received our drinks, she was genuinely excited to hear that we thought they looked beautiful, and they truly were. The hojicha flavor was rich and distinct, and the black sesame syrup struck the perfect balance between sweet and nutty. Definitely give your drink a good stir so everything blends evenly. I can't wait to come back and try more from the menu. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Hojicha Black Sesame Latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Great atmosphere. I felt as if I was in a cafe in Asia. True minimalist vibe. Small seating inside and outside. Great for small party of 1-3. Service was good. Simple no frills. Go to the kiosk and order your drink. Pick up the drink at the small bar. Drinks are made right in front of you where there is limited seating at a bar like counter. This place specializes in matcha so not much in the way of other drinks. But the matcha was exceptionally good. I have gone several different times and found my favorito to be the Hojicha Matcha...perfect balance of nutty and earthy. Definitely recommend giving this place a try for you matcha lovers. read more

My friend and I were on a mini matcha tour in the area. Our first stop was at a nearby boba establishment where we got a matcha drink and although refreshing, it tasted very generic and the quality wasn't great. Next stop, Forest Tea. We arrived at opening hour and to our surprise, there were at least 15 people in line! So far, a good sign. We ordered a matcha to share and HOLY MATCHA. This was probably the best matcha in the bay are by far. They really mastered their craft and you can tell as you watch them make your drink. No fancy curtain, no kitchen, you can literally watch them in the open. Kudos. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Very authentic and high quality matcha, nice relaxing ambiance and you can watch the employees make the drinks in front of you! I got the black sesame matcha, and the black sesame flavor was pretty strong and nutty, and not too sweet- I thought it was a perfect balance. The rose matcha was also very good, although a little sweeter. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Black sesame matcha - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

this was an amazing experience, they make the Matcha right in front of you and have a beautiful set up of the Matcha. It looks like a Matcha spa over here. I definitely suggest that you go. We got the rose Matcha and the rose soda and it was absolutely amazing. It was such a cozy vibe in there, and the Matcha was so high-quality. Also, you can tell that the staff really love what they do because they put a lot of love into making the Matcha and I really loved that about this place. read more

Forest Tea Bar - rose matcha - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Such high quality and authentic matcha in downtown Berkeley! The wait was a bit longer since they're in their first couple months of being open, but the drinks were definitely worth the wait. The interior is clean and modern, and there is a decent amount of indoor and outdoor seating. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Interior - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Let me preface this by saying that while I am a bit of a matcha purist, I do appreciate a good matcha latte and this place is an amazing spot to get one. There aren't many good match places in the East Bay so I'm thrilled to see this place open in the Berkeley/Oakland area. I also appreciate that the menu here is quite different from most other places with offerings such as genmaicha matcha latte (my personal favourite), rose matcha latte, and black sesame matcha latte. They also offer regular matcha lattes and if you're feeling really bougie, you can get the Uji matcha latte. In terms of milk choices, they offer either oatmilk or a in-house made cashew milk for an upcharge. I definitely recommend trying the drinks both ways though if you want the cashew milk, you'll need to come early since it sells out pretty quickly. My only wish is that they would also carry regular whole milk. Even though this place has only recently opened, it gets crowded very quickly, especially on the weekend. I've come here at 10:45am on a Saturday (15 minutes before they open) and the line is already down the block and school isn't even back yet. read more

I came by with my bestfriend who's a HUGE matcha enthusiast on mid day sunday! Line was pretty long , but did not reach out the door yet. We looked on the menu outside before standing in line inside. Inside is not insanely huge so there was a bit of a crowd. I thought the decorations all around were so beautiful to look at. It was also nice to see people handcrafting each matcha drink as well. It took about 20 mins to receive our order. We got the organic black sesame matcha latte and the organic rose matcha latte (sub w cashew milk). Both tasted yummy. For the black sesame matcha latte, the sweetness of this drink comes from the black sesame. The black sesame did eventually overpower the taste of the matcha. 8/10 As for the rose matcha latte, It is super creamy and lightly sweetened. We couldn't taste the matcha as strong but that's maybe cause we got cashew milk 7/10 . It tasted more nutty. Overall, I had a great experience here and do recommend for people to come and try! read more

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Unbelievable service and ceremonial matcha. Such welcoming people and really relaxing and cheerful environment!!

If you're searching for a high-quality, solid matcha spot, I highly recommend Forest Tea Bar. Not only is the matcha incredible, but there's something special about being able to watch them make your drink... t's like a quiet ritual, and honestly, chef's kiss. The ambiance is so calming, it feels like stepping into a little pocket of matcha heaven. Whether you're treating yourself to a solo date or catching up with friends, this place is easily one of the best. I personally tried the organic Matcha latte with no sweetner which had strong flavors - personally i appreciated as im not a huge sweets person. but for someone who's used to their Matcha with a bit of sweetness or prefer that, then you might want to add sweetener or opt for a different drink. A much sweeter drink, but was still very delicious that I recommend would be the organic black sesame Matcha latte. The Strong flavors of the black sesame with the matcha was an unexpectedly great pairing. - very limited indoor and outdoor seating available - street parking available along with some public parking structures nearby read more

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Delicious, not too sweet, not overpriced, and no up-charge for plant-based milk make Forest Tea Bar a winner. Good bike racks right out front as well. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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We stopped on a Friday afternoon when we chanced upon a parking spot just in front of the building. No lines and a few customers chatting while sipping their drinks, a very peaceful ambiance to savor our drinks. We ordered their famous black sesame matcha latte and a blended mori ceremonial matcha. Both drinks came quickly, the matcha came in a bowl on its own tray with a small sweet as is the usage in Kyoto, and we were soon joining the public in our quiet appreciation. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Organic black sesame matcha latte Blended mori ceremonial matcha - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Forest Tea Bar has been popping up on my insta so when I happened to be near downtown Berkeley, I decided to pop into their soft opening! I echo what everyone has said so far - the wait is definitely much higher than ideal, probably took around 45 min to get my one drink. Just set your expectations about the wait time while they're figuring out operations. The latte itself was soooo delicious! I ordered a genmaicha matcha latte, a combo that I'd never had before but it worked so well. I chose oat milk and raw honey as the sweetener. The genmaicha really stood out in the aftertaste while the matcha was how I like it, very strong. Would definitely come back to try some of their other drinks, though probably after they've worked out their kinks. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Genmaicha matcha latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

So glad we happened to try Forest Tea Bar on the Friday of their soft opening! The line wasn't too bad (unlike what I saw that weekend) and the wait we did have was so worth it. The zen atmosphere and their interesting flavor options definitely have me wanting to go back soon. We ordered their signature Black Sesame Matcha Latte and their Genmaicha Matcha Latte, the second was my absolute favorite flavor of matcha I've had and so unique! Pros: - quality matcha - unique matcha latte flavors - peaceful atmosphere - small bench/table seating - bar-type service, so you can see the workers making every drink Cons: - no bathroom - no wifi; generally not a good working cafe read more

Forest Tea Bar - Genmaicha Matcha Latte and Black Sesame Matcha Latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Came to visit during their soft opening on a late Friday afternoon and was pleasantly impressed by the aesthetics and beauty of the cafe itself. This is definitely a nice and cozy spot where people can come to study and do work. The place itself is not too big, with limited tables and seating. What we ordered: * Genmaicha Matcha Latte * Hojicha Latte The default milk is oat milk which is really nice for people that are lactose intolerant, but they also offer a cashew milk option (that was sold out at the time). They also had three sweetener options and I opted for the raw honey on the matcha and the organic cane sugar on the other. First impressions, the wait took a little over an hour for 2 drinks. I ordered at 3:42pm and got my drinks at 4:51pm after the original estimated time was 4:07pm. They had a tablet on the side to track the status of your order, but due to the long wait times and big crowd... it took longer than anticipated and the estimated wait time was not accurate anymore. The ordering system is through snackpass so hopefully they'll open up orders in advance down the line. However, I can't fully fault them for the long wait since they handwhisked each drink and there's only two baristas working to make each drink. In terms of authenticity, the drinks reminds me of matcha drinks I had in Japan! It wasn't very sweet, so if you tend to like sweeter drinks then this place isn't for you. The flavor profile of the matcha is more on the nutty slightly bitter side. Personally, I liked the Hojicha more than the matcha, but most likely would not come back. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Hojicha Latte and Genmaicha Matcha Latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

I wanted to like Forest Tea Bar so badly. It's been a while since I've been so excited to try a matcha cafe but this was a pretty big disappointment. It wasn't bad but definitely overhyped. We got here at 5:30 on a Sunday, half an hour before closing. There were three people in front of us so we got our drinks quickly. The matcha was grainy and weak despite the bold colors from photos. The black sesame matcha was just black sesame milk. The hojicha was good though, smooth and nutty! I really appreciated how the baseline milk is oat. Fantastic bar service and the experience and ambiance are definitely great. read more

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I heard this place recently opened, so I had to try it and it did not disappoint. I will definitely come back! I got a Genmaicha matcha latte and the matcha was pretty strong and really good. It did take a little while to get our drinks since they make them one by one, but the barista was clearly passionate about her craft and genuinely seemed to enjoy making them. One thing to note is that they don't offer whole milk; all their drinks are made with oat or cashew milk. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

the ambiance when you walk in is very chill and zen. you order at a screen and wait for your name to be called. i got the uji matcha which was a solid basic matcha. the matcha taste wasn't super strong but wasn't too weak either. i saw they have house made cashew milk and would be interested in trying that next. the texture of the matcha when i drank it did feel like there was a powdery feeling in my mouth afterwards. i personally do not like black sesame but my friend liked this drink so id reccomend it if you're into that. read more

Forest Tea Bar - uji and black sesame matcha latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

cute new cafe in berkeley! the drinks all looked great but the matcha taste wasn't too strong. we got the genmaicha latte and it just tasted like toasted rice instead of matcha. not sure if it's just because they're soft opening but we waited a pretty long time for one drink. the interior is super aesthetic and cute though! read more

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One of my new favorite matcha spots in the east bay. Got the hojicha latte and rose matcha latte and both were delicious and perfectly sweet. The rose matcha latte was the standout! The fresh rosie flavor blended so well with the smooth and strong matcha, so good!! My only complaint would be the default oat milk and no option for regular milk, but the drinks were yummy anyway :) read more

I was super excited to finally try the forest tea bar given all the hype and fans. I drove an hour to get here and was really disappointed to find many of the menu were sold out by 2p on Friday afternoon. I really wanted to try the tofu ice cream but no luck, and same with some other drinks. I ended up trying the rose matcha latte and it was just ok. I couldn't taste the matcha, though it did mask the oat milk base thankfully. Be aware they do not have non plant based milk options! So you're stuck with oat or cashew milk, both of which mask the matcha flavor for me. The drinks were beautifully made and my friend loved her black sesame matcha drink. In the future, I may just stick with matcha only if I visit again. There was plenty of paid street parking and there is both inside/outside seating. It is self service - order via kiosk as the employees are busy making the drinks. The store was decorated nicely and it felt pretty zen inside. read more

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Long wait - 20 minutes. But you can't rush the quality of craft that they deliver. The resulting matcha is delicious and well-made. I wish the sugar that they put at the bottom mixed better throughout the drink. Other than that, the matcha latte I had was one of the best I've had in the Bay Area. I would go back again but only if there's no wait. read more

the flavor is amazing and i love the sesame with it! everything is hand crafted which is a great touch but for a saturday afternoon, we did wait 80 mins so be prepared for that it gets crowded with the long wait read more

Forest Tea Bar - uji matcha latte + black sesame matcha latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

i think this place is new and when i came, it was packed. the place is not that big and you need to order through kiosk. ambiance is ok. have to be patient to wait, it is matcha. very excited once got my order but i will say taste is just ok. the blue lotus tea is almost tasteless for me, just feel like drinking hot water but the presentation is great... read more

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Found this place while visiting family in Oakland. I had no idea it was a soft opening. They only sell matcha and they do it with the bamboo whisk. The matcha was very good and they have syrups you don't see anywhere else, like my favorite, the black sesame. It's very quiet inside with plenty of seating. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Black Sesame Matcha - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Heading to South Berkeley after getting off at Ashby BART station and walking six tiny blocks; that would've been tough, especially when getting back home late. Once I head over to where many people hang out, that's when it got tougher with a very long wait. Since Forest Tea Bar in Shattuck Ave opens every Friday to Sunday, many people had to wait in line to get their online order. At least I got to have some free time watching vibrant folks chat and drink matcha tea even if I have to wait for almost one full hour. The smell of hojicha flavor was permeating throughout the atmosphere while the mist humidifier eased us when coming inside. Waiting for almost an hour made me a bit tense than trying to relax, but patience is more rewarding when getting the matcha drink I purchased. After all, everyone else were waiting to receive their order. The moment the clock reaches 6 pm, one of the matcha baristas have to shut down the online order; well that took one of them to respond after few minutes. So far, I only see two to three baristas working on making ceremonial grade matcha tea drinks. Any barista was taking turns whisking matcha while the other pouring coconut milk or black sesame. With many different bamboo whisks and ceramic bowls with spouts, I believe hand whisk matcha drinks are way better than frothy ones. Contactless payment and just as expensive, I had with me a straight-up iced sugarless sparkling matcha followed up with matcha cashew ice cream! Might come back one day for a matcha bowl that is more than bold and umami. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Ahh! Deep green excellence! - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California