Green Tea Forum

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

We just receievd and shipped the Shizuoka Shincha Hatsumi (whew!) and have finally sat down to try a cup. Not grassy so if that's what you dig, don't expect that. Then again, hatsumi has never really been a grassy tasting green tea. First thing I noticed was the beautiful color - this year's version is a more intense green than in years past. I brewed for 1.5 minutes and it came out perfect - not too astringent, just how I like it. I'd say it's less astringent than in years past. It's kind of cloudy, but that is to be expected as this green tea is steamed about halfway between normal and deep steaming. Anyway, I think you folks will like this. sun

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

This is most excellent news. Sounds interesting, looking forward to trying the revered and sought after Hatsumi.

Chip · Posted: May 02, 2007 4:50 am Post subject:

Sounds very tasty, Kevin. It sounds like I will enjoy it more than last year.

So, quick question, now that you got the Hatsumi out the door, how about the Yutaka? Are you ready for round 2? I have recommended this sencha to a lot of tea drinkers who are curious about sencha but have never really had anything from a vendor like O-Cha.

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

Yutaka was supposed to be here 2 days ago, it's late. Maybe today...

Chip · Posted: May 07, 2007 3:57 am Post subject:

As I mentioned in another thread, I received my shincha Hatsumi all the way in eastern PA in 4 days...astounding.

I brewed two sessions of this so far and find it to be really quite sweet with lots of flavor and abundant aroma. The brew is remarkably green as Kevin mentioned. I think I will love this one. Lots of strength with very tolerable astringency.

I have gone with 4 grams per 200 ml at 168-170* for 1.5 minutes. I usually try to get 5 steeps with a new tea to see if it will go that far. After 5 steeps, I had a feeling a sixth was do-able. The sixth was still noticably sweet.

Maggie45 · Posted: May 08, 2007 1:29 pm Post subject:

Chip, I received mine in four days, too!! Down here in little Bisbee, six miles north of Mexico!! All the way from Japan!! Amazing! I can't get over it.

I'm having the same experience as you are. I really like this. I'm so happy.

Laughing

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

I got a sample of hand-picked shincha from Tsuen yesterday, it's quite good. The needles are deep shiny green. I bought some and will put them up for sale in a day or two as a limited edition type of tea. Being that it's hand-picked, it is pricey.

Photiou · Posted: May 09, 2007 1:02 am Post subject:

Chip · Posted: May 09, 2007 4:59 am Post subject:

jasonian · Posted: May 09, 2007 5:18 am Post subject:

I just received and tried the hatsumi ad I liked it a lot. I didn't find it as astringent as most people did. In fact, I think the miyabi is more astringent but maybe I didn't use quite enough tea. The first infusion was clear and light with a nice spicy almost cinnamon flavor. I increased the temperature for the second infusion and got that thick cloudy green color everyone mentioned. It was very tasty and, of course, fresh tasting. The third infusion wasn't as green as the second but was pleasant. I can't wait for the yutaka midori to arrive. That should be profound.

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

Profound would be an apt word in my mind. Some have even reported spontaneous levitation. Though, I think that only happens on rare occasions.

jasonian · Posted: May 09, 2007 9:25 pm Post subject:

If the yutaka midori shincha is any better than the sencha then I will be taking David Blaine's job.

Maggie45 · Posted: May 09, 2007 9:52 pm Post subject: