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Everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 1st, '11, 17:50
by Poohblah
Hi guys,
I haven't had much Japanese tea before, but right now I'm wondering where I can find a good, solid, inexpensive everyday sencha. I don't think I'll be able to really appreciate the high-quality, nuanced senchas, but I just want something representative of good senchas to drink on a daily basis. Thanks for your suggestions :D

Re: everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 1st, '11, 17:53
by Chip
Please give a target price range based on 100 grams. Thanks ...

Re: everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 1st, '11, 17:56
by tortoise
When asking this question, you kind of need to establish what you consider to be "inexpensive."

What do you want to pay for 100g?

As far as nuance goes, I'm not sure the more expensive the tea is, the more subtle or difficult to appreciate it becomes.

Chiran sencha from O-Cha is very nice for about $20 for 100g.

Re: everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 1st, '11, 18:58
by NOESIS
Sencha Superior from Hibiki-an is a good everyday light-steamed sencha. 200g for $30, and free shipping over $36. :wink:

http://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info.p ... ucts_id/31

Re: everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 1st, '11, 19:35
by Poohblah
sorry. for 100 grams, $10-20 I would consider to be inexpensive.

Also, the shipping from Hibiki-an is very reasonable. I like cheap shipping.

Re: everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 1st, '11, 21:41
by brlarson
NOESIS wrote:Sencha Superior from Hibiki-an is a good everyday light-steamed sencha. 200g for $30, and free shipping over $36. :wink:

http://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info.p ... ucts_id/31
Hibiki-an's farmers' shincha is also very satisfying, and it's $30 USD per 160 grams (2x80gram bags) http://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info.p ... 601cq5t8f3

Zencha's Yame Moe is also good for the price, $12.90 USD for 100 grams and shipping is included in the price. Go to http://www.zencha.net/products_yame.php and scroll down to find Yame Sencha Moe.

Re: everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 1st, '11, 22:02
by iannon
brlarson wrote:
NOESIS wrote:Sencha Superior from Hibiki-an is a good everyday light-steamed sencha. 200g for $30, and free shipping over $36. :wink:

http://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info.p ... ucts_id/31
Hibiki-an's farmers' shincha is also very satisfying, and it's $30 USD per 160 grams (2x80gram bags) http://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info.p ... 601cq5t8f3

Zencha's Yame Moe is also good for the price, $12.90 USD for 100 grams and shipping is included in the price. Go to http://www.zencha.net/products_yame.php and scroll down to find Yame Sencha Moe.
I havent had any of the others but the Zencha Moe..its a nice daily drinkin Fuka specially for the price

Re: everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 2nd, '11, 10:38
by naivemonarch
Hello, I can recommend you in this price range Sencha Moe from Zencha and Maiko have also "everyday" selection of sencha teas like "miyako", "kamo" or "kyo no tsuyu". RyuMei have some sencha in this prices too, I think. But my favourite everyday sencha is "kyo no tsuyu" from Maiko :)
Cheers.

Re: everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 2nd, '11, 12:08
by Stentor
"Representative" of good sencha is difficult because they're is quite some variety in flavor within that category.
In any case, I recommend Maiko's "Kamo". I like it a lot and I usually drink higher priced sencha. I like it because it has a bit of a unique flavor while staying true to the sencha flavor, which I think is what you're looking for.
I'll definitely buy it again the next time I order from Maiko.

Re: Everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 2nd, '11, 13:01
by Chip
I am looking forward to trying this new organic offering from O-Cha (in the TeaFridge) http://www.o-cha.com/green-tea/organic-sakimidori.html
Chiran, also from O-Cha, is at 20 USD but it is Yutaka Midori varietal and has a following.

Xell has some lower cost offerings that are worth a try. Tamaryokucha (Guricha) is cheap and flavorful and a good intro to Japanese teas, also an easy brewer. His Tokujo offerings are certainly worth trying in this price range. http://japantea.org/index.php?route=common/home

As mentioned ... Zencha Moe is interesting and in your range. Also Ippodo and Maiko have some lower cost offerings, I have had the lower cost Maiko's last year, but not the Ippodo.

Re: Everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 2nd, '11, 14:19
by NOESIS
Chip reminded me, Ippodo's modestly priced Nichi-getsu is very nice. Of course shipping from Ippodo and Maiko is pretty steep (EMS only). Good if you're buying high-end tea/matcha, but I dunno if you're going for "everyday" sencha.

Re: Everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 2nd, '11, 14:55
by entropyembrace
Maiko has inexpensive shipping options...airmail and SAL.

Re: Everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 2nd, '11, 18:52
by Cole
Chip wrote:I am looking forward to trying this new organic offering from O-Cha (in the TeaFridge) http://www.o-cha.com/green-tea/organic-sakimidori.html
Chiran, also from O-Cha, is at 20 USD but it is Yutaka Midori varietal and has a following.
+1 for the Chiran sencha. It's not the cheapest "everyday sencha," but the Shincha this year is incredible for the price. If you give their Shizuoka daily sencha a try (which I haven't -- can anyone chime in?), it's worth adding on.

I think cold-brewed Bancha makes the best (and cheapest) everyday brew, but we're talkin' sencha here!

Re: Everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 2nd, '11, 19:34
by NOESIS
entropyembrace wrote:Maiko has inexpensive shipping options...airmail and SAL.
Thanks, entropyembrace. For some reason I thought that they were like Ippodo, in only offering EMS shipping. It's been a while since I placed an order from them, but as I recall, they had some very nice gyos.

Re: Everyday sencha

Posted: Jul 24th, '11, 00:04
by strickmr
Cole wrote:
Chip wrote:I am looking forward to trying this new organic offering from O-Cha (in the TeaFridge) http://www.o-cha.com/green-tea/organic-sakimidori.html
Chiran, also from O-Cha, is at 20 USD but it is Yutaka Midori varietal and has a following.
+1 for the Chiran sencha. It's not the cheapest "everyday sencha," but the Shincha this year is incredible for the price. If you give their Shizuoka daily sencha a try (which I haven't -- can anyone chime in?), it's worth adding on.

I think cold-brewed Bancha makes the best (and cheapest) everyday brew, but we're talkin' sencha here!
I can say that I enjoy the Shizuoka daily sencha. It's an average, medium steamed green, but I find it quite good. It's definitely an everyday sencha and one of the best I've had for the price. I get it delivered monthly and can always count on each steep coming out with perfection. Very easy to brew and even if it is slightly over brewed, it still yields an excellent balance of bitterness and sweetness. I'd call it a monthly $16 well spent.