Blank Street Launches Game Set Matcha Padel Pop Up
Is Padel and Matcha the ‘hottest duo since Wimbledon and Pimms’? Blank Street Managing Director Ignacio Llado believes so, calling it a ‘matcha made in heaven’. Now you can see for yourself, as Blank Street have launched a Padel Court Pop-Up and Matcha Bar at Battersea Power Station from 4-14 July.
Coffee brand Blank Street provides high quality coffee and started a Matcha revolution last year with its blueberry matcha. I was amazed to discover that Blank Street now sells a matcha every 4 seconds during opening hours! Now, Blank Street are serving up new summer specials- Watermelon Matcha Spritz and Mango Passionfruit Matcha. These are a move away from the classic milk-based matcha and experiment with new flavours and lighter textures, including sparkling bases. I had the Watermelon one on arrival after being in the tube for an hour, and it was so refreshing and thirst quenching. It’s made with ceremonial matcha, sparkling watermelon and yuzu and is available for £4.20. The mango passionfruit matcha (£4.40) is made with ceremonial matcha, mango nectar and passion fruit nectar. It’s more of a green juice vibe with a thicker consistency. It feels like summer though as it combines two of my favourite fruits. There’s also a Yuzu Matcha Spritz (£3.90) and Yuzu Lemonade (no matcha for £3.50).
As if that wasn’t enough matcha, we were also treated to some matcha sweet treats. My friend and I really liked the matcha blueberry brownie with its texture and burst of flavour. As a cheesecake lover of course I had to get the matcha cheesecake. It’s a little dense and rich, and it was my least favourite of the three. The matcha pistachio cookie (£2.80) was soft with a creamy centre and was the best of the baked goods in my view.
We had a private 30minute Padel coaching session. I hadn’t heard of Padel before this event, but was eager to learn. I discovered that this racquet sport is a blend of tennis and squash. The courts are smaller than tennis courts, but are enclosed like squash courts with the ball being allowed to bounce from them. Though I haven’t played tennis in at least a decade, my tennis knowledge came back to me once on the court. I was proud of hitting some powerful backhands. With the racquet being smaller than a tennis one, it took a little while to adjust my spatial awareness and I may have hit the ball out of the court once (or thrice). Though we didn’t play an actual game, we were told the scoring is similar to tennis. Like tennis and squash, it’s about skill, strategy and teamwork.
Padel originated in Latin America and has gained popularity across London and the UK recently. In fact, it is the world’s fastest growing sport and it’s clear to see why. I enjoyed being on the court, doing a bit of exercise and socialising. Game Set Matcha.
The Blank Street Padel Club and Matcha Bar is open from 4-14 July 2024. It costs £50 per hour and each player will receive a free Blank Street Matcha. Book at blankstreet.com/padelclub. Padel boards and balls are provided.
Address: Battersea Power Station, Circus Road W, Nine Elms, London, SW11 8DS.
Website: blankstreet.com/padelclub
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blankstreet
Written by Caitlin Neal
