TeaChat

Anyone willing to share your prized matcha dealer? ( I feel like I am asking some help with locating a crack dealer ) - I am so hooked on this....
I just tried some from ito-en NY - awesome awesome....can't be beat...however their cheapest one is 12 $ for 0.7 ounces. This price does seem fair but I wanted to try something else in the area...
thank you

Ito-En is probably one of the few places that's going to have fresh matcha locally. If you're willing to consider ordering online, you might try www.o-cha.com and http://hibiki-an.com

Thank you ed...I have to agree - Ito-en just smelled fresh. Absolutely in a different class when compared to about 6-7 different brands I have purchased from Mitsua and other local Tea stores.
The other matcha teas - I was not able to smell - I mean it smelled so strong. The ito-en was very very fresh with a pleasant sweet fruity aroma.....
I have been hearing about o-cha for a long time...will have to try it somehow.

I am no tea master but I have been experimenting with tea's for about 10 years - I have had almost all of Rishi teas, Republic of teas, and a whole bunch from local tea stores. What would you recommend from o-cha for a someone who craves the fresh sweet taste of the matcha ? I mean I want to be reasonable and not have to sell an arm and a leg for what I seek...
Thanks mate...

I'm a sencha drinker, so I haven't gotten into matcha. But I've heard that even the lowest priced matcha from o-cha (Kiri No Mori) is very good. The guy who runs that site is selective about the tea he sells, so I think you're safe with any of his matcha. There are some matcha drinkers on the forum that will probably chime in with more detailed reviews.

If you are looking for an affordable, daily matcha, the kiri no mori is the way to go ($15 for 30 g). If you have a little more money than that, the Kiku Mukashi, also from o-cha, is excellent.

I'm kind of new to matcha, too. I'd rate the matcha that I've tried so far in order of awesomeness as follows:

1 Matcha Manten - o-cha
2 (and a close second) Kiku Mukashi - o-cha
3 Naki's Organic Uji Matcha - Zencha
4 Kiri No Mori - o-cha
5 Matcha Miyabe - Den's Tea
6 Chiyo Mukashi - o-cha
7 Matcha Kaze - Den's Tea
8 Rishi's Matcha's (last and definitely least)

thank you guys...I guess o-cha it is...will update you in a week boys....oh - does o-cha send matcha refrigerated? I understand it should be kept refrigerated at all times?

Matcha does not need to be refrigerated save for storing an unopnened can. I wouldn't reccomend storing your matcha in the fridge after you get it; the risks out weigh the benefits, IMO. If you do, make sure that it has reached room temperature before opening it.

inspectoring wrote:thank you guys...I guess o-cha it is...will update you in a week boys....oh - does o-cha send matcha refrigerated? I understand it should be kept refrigerated at all times?

In this season, matcha won't be damaged by heat during the shipping. That is why I avoid ordering green tea during summer.

thank you...

One more question...I see someone mentioned den's tea?? Anyone have any experience with them? How is their Matcha and Gyokuro??

I haven't had any of their matcha and... blends, but I've had both of their strait matchas. Their matcha, like all of thier tea, comes from Shizuoka, and so far it seems that Shizuoka matcha is not as intense and Uji matcha. I can easily see how someone might prefer a toned down matcha, but that's not for me.

I have had a bit of Den's and it was good, although I haven't had too much yet. It's on my list of vendors to try, but I have way too much tea as it is. I need to get drinkin'

thank you guys !