Glossary: M

Matcha tea

A powdered green tea drunk in Japan, especially at the Tea Ceremony where it is whisked into a frothy green liquor. Matcha, which has a short shelf-life, is produced by milling tencha tea.

Maté

A tea-like drink enjoyed by the gauchos of Argentina. Maté is an infusion of Ilex paraguariensis, a South American species of holly. It is drunk through a straw from a gourd-shaped drinking vessel.

Metallic

An undesirable trait, which imparts a metallic taste.

Mouldy

An undesirable trait characterized by a mouldy taste and odor resulting from improper storage. – Tea exposed to moisture.

Muddy

A term which refers to the appearance of the tea – dull, opaque, brown.

Muscatel

Describes a characteristic reminiscent of grapes. Also describes an exceptional characteristic found in liquor of the finest second flush Darjeeling.

Mushy

Mushy describes a soft, thick, uninteresting liquor.

Musty; Frusty (Fusty)

A tea liquor in which there is suspicion of mold.