Green Tea Forum

Kymera6 · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 4

These forums don't seem very busy, but hopefully someone can help me...

I've been trying to brew the Yutaka Midori that I bought, but simply can't make a good cup. It has very little flavor. I was really surprised, because the Daily Sencha and Otuusan were excelent.

Here's the brewing method I use for Yutaka Midori:
1st infusion: 3.8 grams at 165°F for 2 minutes
2nd infusion: 175°F for 30 seconds
3rd infusion: 175°F for 1 minute
Haven't tried making a fourth infusion.

Does this look reasonable? It worked well for the Daily Sencha. I know that different teas need to be brewed differently, so which variables should I change for the Yutaka Midori? Can someone recommend a brewing method that they found worked well for this tea in the past?

Thank you!

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

How much water does your teapot hold? 3.8 grams seems a little light, but that will depend on how much water you are using. I think you can crank up the temp a little as well.

I will tell you that the current Yutaka Midori is in shincha form and it can be rather tricky to brew right.

Kymera6 · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 4

Heh, silly of me for leaving out the water volume.

I use the the 9 ounce Tokoname from this site with 6 ounces of water.

Creepily fast response, btw....

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

I've been so swamped with tea, tea samples, shincha, it's finally time to get to the bottom of the Yutaka thing because this is the second or third time I've heard this. I tried it when it first came out but everything seemed find so I didn't dwell on it.

Just opened a fresh bag and brewed as per the following:

1) 194F/90C water poured into 2 cups to pre-heat.

2) 5 grams of leaf into empty teapot.

3) Poured 250ml/8 ounces water from cups into teapot...

4) Actual brew temperature: 160F / 71C (temperature drops from 194F/90C to 160F/71C after pre-heating cups, pouring into a cold tea pot, etc.)

5) Brew time: 2.0 minutes

Result:

Taste: Really nice, lightly astringent, somewhat between middle and deep steamed, exceptionally green, light aroma.

Notes: This tea's primary selling point is the green color, very hard to beat. While it has never has been as aromatic or "flavorful" as our Uji Sencha Miyabi, this is still one stellar cup of green tea. It depends on what your main preference is. Some of our customers prefer this to all others, others are freaks about Fukamushi Sencha Supreme, others think Uji Sencha Miyabi is the king.

Kymera6 · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 4

Ah well, since its a subtle tea and difficult to brew, I'm not surprised a newb like me can't fully appreciate it.

That's a beautiful picture. I used the same brewing specifications, and can only wonder why mine came out much more yellow than green...

Thanks again for such personal and fast service.

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

I just pulled out the camera after reading your post, brewed it, took a quick shot of it - no touch up, that's the natural color.

Oni · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 213

Try one and a half tablespoon (6-7gram) tea to 200cc, and 40-50 sec it isn`t astringent, and this more leaf accentuates that wonderful citrusy aroma.

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

greenisgood · Black Belt Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 115

I personally use a brita filter and my water is usually pretty good but sometimes for like day it will get randomly really chlorine-tasting (like today for example). I honestly don't know why and have tried to figure it out but I think it's just that public water varies sometimes (and I'm definitly not ready to be using spring water for all my tea making).

Kymera6 · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 4

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

[quote="Kymera6"]

maddawg · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Posts: 17

Okay after seeing that picture, i can't resist no more. I must order the midori
despite the fact i already have 3 opened shincha already.

britt · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 179

I received the Midori shincha last night along with Hatsumi, Miyabi and Fukamashi. I already have the Kirameki. Since I'm a Midori nut, I tried it first. I was very happy with the results. I don't measure anything other than by eye, but I guess about one teaspoon of leaf to six ounces of spring water, hotter water for the first infusion with no pot preheat for about 90 seconds. The result was a clear green with a very fresh and mild flavor, with almost a sweetness to it. Second infusion was with somewhat cooler water; the water was added, lid put on, and immediately poured into the cup. The second was a deeper green with a more pronounced flavor than the first infusion. The third infusion was back to hotter water for about 45 seconds. I found all infusions to be very pleasant with no trace of bitterness.

I followed this up with three infusion of Hatsumi brewed the same way. This morning I did the same with the Kirameki shincha I had previously purchased. This weekend I'll try the other two, but so far I think they're all great. If I were to pick a favorite, so far it would be the Midori.