Green Tea Forum

Martin · Posted: Aug 30, 2007 11:08 pm Post subject: Sencha Otsuusan

I've ordered the sencha otsuusan twice now, and its quickly rising on my list of favorites. Its a great tea in my opinion, sweet and sharp at the same time, and it really lingers!

I use more leaf with this tea if i really want to have a good cup, maybe 150% or more. Its just so good when its a strong cup, i dont have this with any of the other senchas.

Sounds familiar to anyone?

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 928 Location: Japan

That tea is the most popular green tea that the vendor I get it from, Tsuen, sells. That style of tea is popular in Uji and it does taste better when brewed strong. While the first infusion is really special, the later infusions are rather weak. Good tea though, no doubt about it.

Martin · Posted: Aug 31, 2007 1:06 am Post subject:

True true! I also noticed that the first infusion is definetely the best, unlike with most other senchas i tried.

I can understand why it is a popular tea in Japan.

Karigane seems to be popular without the sencha too. I visited tsuens site and they sell 7 kinds of karigane, 2 kinds of karigane sencha (one of which is the otsuusan and 5 kinds of normal sencha.

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 928 Location: Japan

Here's a sleeper: Uji Karigane Gyokuro "Asa-Giri"

Chip · Posted: Aug 31, 2007 10:23 am Post subject:

I would be curious what temperature everyone brews this???

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 928 Location: Japan

Otsuusan - regular sencha temperature. Asagiri - same as gyokuro.

Ed · Posted: Feb 10, 2008 2:12 am Post subject:

I just opened a bag of Otsuusan the other day and it is much better than I had expected. Someone who reviewed it said it had a warm flavor - I think that's a good description. The first infusion is indeed where it's at with this one. The flavor of it is a nice change of pace from regular sencha. I'll definitely get this again.

Martin · Posted: Feb 21, 2008 10:02 pm Post subject:

I really really like the otsuusan Smile

I have a question though. I brew the otsuusan like normal sencha, and its great.

I've recently and some time ago received a surprise otsuusan teabag along with my order (thanks btw!). The brewing instructions on the bags say to pour boiling water on it.

Following the instructions, I had a good cup of tea, not as great as from the loose-tea but i think thats only logical due to the fact that i've had considerable training brewing my perfect cup with the loose leaves (i think i might have oversteeped on the bag).

Anyway, my question, how come the bags need boiling water poured onto them, while normally this temperature would be too high right?

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 928 Location: Japan

You shouldn't use boiling water, no. Why they put that on there, I'll never know, it was outside of my control.