Wow. Wowowowow. I love it when good days get even better!
A quick stop in River North as I was jumping from the Brown line to the bus and I stumbled upon a matcha sanctuary: NOMAD. Despite the cutesy first impressions, it’s worth adding to your Chicago matcha list for one reason: Spirit Tea’s Then & Now.
NOMAD’s self-proclaimed mission to provide an escape from the everyday is quite evident. From the ambiance to the eclectic, globally sourced products, this charming café honestly feels a little more NY or LA than Chicago.
Okay, now let’s get down to the matcha. NOMAD’s first great decision was picking Spirit Tea, Chicago’s hometown tea purveyor. And their second was selecting Spirit Tea’s Then & Now matcha. From Kyotanabe, Kyoto, Then & Now is a Kobayashi matcha from the Shogyokuen label, the same producer as Kakuun (which is also available from Spirit Tea, as well as Yunomi). This delicious matcha is a grade above the excellent Kodemari that Spirit typically slings around town. Compared to Kodemari, Then & Now is a revelation—naturally sweeter, nuttier, and more chocolaty; plus it boasts more umami depth than most other matchas that baristas keep on hand. I’ve only encountered this matcha once before, at Convene downtown, but alas, they’ve since switched to Kodemari. Weak.
So, get yourself on over to NOMAD and try the best matcha latte in Chicago. Oh, but check the hours first. NOMAD may seem youthful, but apparently they go to bed earlier than my great grandma.
