Reviews > Food > Energy Bars and Drinks > Alpine Start with Benefits Coffee & Tea > Test Report by Marina Batzke

ALPINE START MATCHA WITH BENEFITS
TEST SERIES BY MARINA BATZKE
LONG-TERM REPORT
August 24, 2021

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TESTER INFORMATION

I converted from day hiking and car camping to backpacking in 2013. My backpacking trips are one or two weekend excursions per month in Southern California. The locations range from Joshua Tree National Park desert areas in the cooler months to mountainous elevations in the summer months. I always hike with a group and like the gear talk in camp. While I am looking for ways to lighten my pack, I am not an ultra-lighter: I like sleeping in a tent with a sleeping bag on a comfortable pad. In January 2017, I added snowshoeing to my winter activities.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Alpine Start
Year of Manufacture: 2021
Expiration Date: 04/29/2023
Manufacturer's Website: http://alpinestartfoods.com
MSRP: US$22.99
Listed Weight: Net 5.2 oz (146.5 g) for 12 Servings
Measured Weight: Gross 6.1 oz (172 g) incl. packaging

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

I received 3 pouches of Alpine Start Matcha with Benefits Immunity + Focus. The pouches are light green in color, the plastic is almost velvety to touch. Once I cut off the top, I can reseal the pouch with the integrated zipper.

One pouch with its net 5.2 oz (146.5 g) holds 12 servings. One serving with its 12 g/ 0.42 oz has 60 calories. Total fat contents are 3 g (0.11 oz) and 2.5 g (0.09 oz) saturated fat. No trans fats, no Cholesterol, no Sodium and zero added sugar but 2 g (0.07 oz) of total sugar. The Matcha tea is dairy free, vegan and keto friendly. The keto diet is about limiting carb consumption and instead to fill up on fats, such as meat, fish, eggs, nuts, and healthy oils.

front view

back side

Near its top, the pouch says: non-GMO project verified and refers to the website www.nongmoproject.org The Non-GMO (non-Genetically Modified Organism) Project is a non-profit organization offering rigorous product verification and trustworthy education that empowers people to care for themselves, the planet, and future generations.

1% for the Planet is another imprint: One Percent for the Planet is an international organization whose members contribute at least one percent of their annual sales to environmental causes.

In the carton that held the 3 pouches was also a one-page flyer that on the front describes the below-mentioned benefits of Matcha with Benefits and on the back describes the related product 'Coffee with Benefits'. Also included was a postcard with a handwritten message from an Alpine Start team member.

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

Imprinted on the front and back of the Matcha pouch it says: Matcha with non-dairy creamer, adaptogens and Nootropics.
+ 1700 mg/ serving MCTs from coconuts shall help with my focus
+ 100 mg Reishi Mushroom Extract to be beneficial as immune support
+ 100 mg Lion's Mane Mushroom Extract for mental clarity
+ 25 mg/ serving Caffeine from Matcha
+ Vitamins D + A to be beneficial as immune support

I can honestly say that abbreviations, such as MCT and words like Lion's Mane mean nothing to me. I had to do extensive internet research to learn what this is all about and Wikipedia helped me a lot.

Matcha is finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves, traditionally consumed in East Asia.

Adaptogens or adaptogenic substances are used in herbal medicine for the claimed stabilization of physiological processes and promotion of homeostasis.

Nootropics are drugs, supplements, and other substances that are claimed to improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, memory, creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals.

MCT stands for medium-chain triglyceride and is found in only a handful of foods, including coconut oil.

Reishi is a polypore fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine. There is insufficient evidence that consuming such mushrooms or their extracts has an effect on cancer, metabolic diseases or cardiovascular diseases.

Lion's mane is an edible mushroom, available in supplement form, containing a number of health-promoting substances, including antioxidants and beta-glucan.

Vitamin D is responsible for increasing intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, and many other biological effects.

Vitamin A (retinol, retinoic acid) is a nutrient important to vision, growth, cell division, reproduction and immunity.

TRYING IT OUT

The directions on the pouch instruct to add 1 level scoop (12 g/0.42 oz) to 8 - 12 oz (227 - 340 ml) of hot water.

one level scoop

stirred and ready to drink

At home one morning before work, I opened one pouch: the contents smell just like green tea. The Matcha with Benefits is a green powder, looking similar to flour - just green in color. I pulled out the plastic scoop that comes with the tea powder. I scooped up one level-filled scoop, poured it into a mug and added 8 oz (227 g) of hot water. I stirred, waited a few minutes to cool down the hot water a bit and enjoyed one cup of what tasted like green tea. The Matcha with Benefits tasted perfectly fine to me. I then rushed off to work and was way too busy and too distracted to think about if I noticed any increased focus.

SUMMARY

The Alpine Start Matcha with Benefits is intended to boost immunity and focus.

LIKES:
measuring scoop is provided inside pouch
pleasant green tea scent
pleasant green tea taste

DISLIKES:
none so far

LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Mt. Pinos to Grouse Mountain, Southern California, USA
Dayhike
Temperature: 72 F (22 C)
10 mi (16 km)

Mt. Pinos to Sheep Camp, Southern California, USA
Backpack 2 days/ 1 night
Temperature: 51 F - 69 F (11 - 21 C)
10 mi (16 km)

Mt. Baldy from Manker Flats, Southern California, USA
Dayhike
Temperature: 75 F (24 C)
9.3 mi (15 km)

Kennedy Meadows, Tulare County, California, USA
Backpack 4 days/ 3 nights
Temperature: 58 - 82 F (14 - 28 C)
15 mi (24 km)

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

The Alpine Start Matcha Tea is pleasant to drink. On the mornings of the Mt. Pinos dayhike and the Mt. Pinos backpack, I filled an 0.42 oz (12 g) level scoop of green powder into a ceramic mug and poured 8 oz (227 g) hot water over it. I stirred well and let it sit for a while to fully dissolve the powder, then I filled the tea into an insulated mug and sipped the warm tea on the 2-hour drive to the trailhead. The Matcha Tea tastes really good and has no mushroom or odd flavors.

On backpacking mornings, I typically make a hot cappuccino drink by pouring boiled water over a cappuccino powder. This powder contains ground espresso beans. After first having enjoyed my cappuccino, I next drank the Matcha Tea. Later while hiking, I felt my heart was racing. I decided to no longer drink the cappuccino during the remainder of the test period, as it seems I am not used to a double-dose of caffeine plus exercise at elevation.

One time I poured the Matcha Tea with boiling hot water, yet I did not get to drink it right away. The cold tea did not taste that great in my opinion. From then on, I made sure I always drank the tea hot to warm.

Kennedy Meadows backpack

SUMMARY

The Alpine Start Matcha with Benefits is intended to boost immunity and focus. During this test period, it has been difficult for me to determine if the tea strengthened my immunity and focus. I did not really notice any difference. The hot tea tastes fine, so I enjoyed the pleasant tasting beverage.

Thank you to Alpine Start and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test and try this interesting tea.

Reviews > Food > Energy Bars and Drinks > Alpine Start with Benefits Coffee & Tea > Test Report by Marina Batzke