TeaChat

Yukata Midori from the OTTI today. It's funny I don't remember being overly fond of this one in the past couple of years, but this year its spot on, and I am seriously considering getting a bag or two.

Kirameki is hitting the spot today, brewed in Nerikome of goodwill, and served up in my Biwa wan. Lots of warm buttered vegetables today, though sadly I feel it could use a touch of salt.

Being in the tropics at the moment, I brought along some 'Mujo' 無上 (nothing higher) maccha from Ujien Seicha. One of the few maccha that's great both hot and cold! Delicious!!

Morning Crane Tea, Jung Jak brewed grandpa style. Decided to keep it really simple.

Getting my butt kicked by a mid day session of Kinari. I am brewing it great so far and wow that packs a flavor packed punch!

An Ji Bai Cha, celebrating a new kumidashi-chawan by Deishi. The sweet and spicy delicacy is a great way to start out this new cup.

AdamMY wrote:Getting my butt kicked by a mid day session of Kinari. I am brewing it great so far and wow that packs a flavor packed punch!

Very pleased with the SE Kinari, every session is spot on. Makes me wonder why they do not figure out how to offer this in non shincha throughout the year.

Also sampling some sencha organics ... maybe a future OTTI in the works?

debunix wrote: An Ji Bai Cha, celebrating a new kumidashi-chawan by Deishi. The sweet and spicy delicacy is a great way to start out this new cup.

Did you buy the last pair offered?

Awesome debunix!

A sweet and spicy Shi Feng Long Jing. I love it...I noticed I need to use plenty hot water, just a little under the boiling point, in order to really bring out the taste.

2012 Kai Hua Long Ding from Jing Tea Shop -

I've brewed this many ways at different temps but can't hit the sweet spot...if it has one of course. Lots of leaf at lower temps seem to make it more interesting, but overall leaving me a bit underwhelmed.

Fresh out of English style teas, having Sencha Hosen (from 2011) while watching the Opening Ceremonies of the London Olympics.

AdamMY wrote:Fresh out of English style teas, having Sencha Hosen (from 2011) while watching the Opening Ceremonies of the London Olympics.

What, no Earl Grey Green?

Today ...

Kinari from Maiko, a solid and consistant asa performer. Full of flavor and aroma. It is hard to find fault with it.

Shincha Pinnicle LE from Hibiki-an. Pale, light, thin, I have yet to figure this asa out. At almost $1 per gram and perhaps the most expensive "sencha" I have purchased ... around 3 to 4 X the price of Kinari, I find myself asking ... "why?" Yes, I get the hand picking/processing ... but this does not translate into a shincha as good in taste/aroma as Kinari ... in fact, not even close!

I still have Super Premium Shincha in the TeaFridge, also from Hibiki-an.

Maiko Maruyama. It has become an all-time favorite of mine.

Kagoshima Sencha Shimofuri from Yuuki-Cha. I like to increase the time 15 more seconds than suggested on their brewing guide. Also, compared to the last time I ordered from them in which I got their only sencha from Uji I believe, this one has more staying power. I only could get 3 infusions with the Uji Gokujo sencha.