Where should I start with matcha?

Made from leaves that have not been oxidized.


User avatar
Feb 12th, '08, 13:20
Posts: 1548
Joined: Jun 8th, '07, 13:00
Location: 3161 A.D.
Contact: Wesli

by Wesli » Feb 12th, '08, 13:20

Go go Ippodo!

User avatar
Feb 12th, '08, 13:27
Posts: 5151
Joined: Dec 20th, '06, 23:33
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Been thanked: 1 time

by Salsero » Feb 12th, '08, 13:27

Fukamushi Dynasty wrote:Go go Ippodo!
Your review there was a clincher, even though the exchange rate is not quite as good now and I really like the way matcha looks in a BLACK bowl like the In Pursuit of Tea model. Ah well, I figure I can buy the classy bowl once I learn to make the stuff and get really addicted like Space. :D

User avatar
Feb 12th, '08, 15:03
Posts: 8065
Joined: Jan 8th, '08, 06:00
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Southern CA
Been thanked: 2 times
Contact: Victoria

by Victoria » Feb 12th, '08, 15:03

Salsero wrote:[ I really like the way matcha looks in a BLACK bowl like the In Pursuit of Tea model. Ah well, I figure I can buy the classy bowl once I learn to make the stuff and get really addicted like Space. :D
Ohhhh Sal, I saw a black bowl somewhere on my journeys, it did look stunning with the bright green matcha. It was well over $100 I remember and I also remember feeling very tempted! Oy!

User avatar
Feb 12th, '08, 15:55
Posts: 5151
Joined: Dec 20th, '06, 23:33
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Been thanked: 1 time

by Salsero » Feb 12th, '08, 15:55

Victoria's Own wrote:It was well over $100
Well, Vic, since I just shelled out ¥6,500! on a starter set, I shouldn't even notice spending another 100 bucks.

User avatar
Feb 12th, '08, 16:09
Posts: 8065
Joined: Jan 8th, '08, 06:00
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Southern CA
Been thanked: 2 times
Contact: Victoria

by Victoria » Feb 12th, '08, 16:09

Salsero wrote:
Victoria's Own wrote:It was well over $100
Well, Vic, since I just shelled out ¥6,500! on a starter set, I shouldn't even notice spending another 100 bucks.
Now you're thinking like me! We could do some serious damage together!

User avatar
Feb 12th, '08, 16:33
Posts: 5151
Joined: Dec 20th, '06, 23:33
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Been thanked: 1 time

by Salsero » Feb 12th, '08, 16:33

Victoria's Own wrote:Now you're thinking like me! We could do some serious damage together!
Get us coked up on matcha and we'll rock this town!
Last edited by Salsero on Apr 16th, '08, 11:06, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Feb 12th, '08, 16:36
Posts: 1559
Joined: Jan 28th, '07, 02:24
Location: Fort Worth, TX

by Space Samurai » Feb 12th, '08, 16:36

Congratulations Sal, everyone needs matcha.

...I'm like an alcoholic who doesn't want to drink alone.

User avatar
Feb 12th, '08, 16:44
Posts: 5151
Joined: Dec 20th, '06, 23:33
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Been thanked: 1 time

by Salsero » Feb 12th, '08, 16:44

Space Samurai wrote: ...I'm like an alcoholic who doesn't want to drink alone.
I'll bring the matcha, Vic can bring the scent, and you bring the teawares.

User avatar
Feb 12th, '08, 17:27
Posts: 8065
Joined: Jan 8th, '08, 06:00
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Southern CA
Been thanked: 2 times
Contact: Victoria

by Victoria » Feb 12th, '08, 17:27

Sounds like a plan! Too bad St. Patty's day is so far off. We'll have to find another excuse!

User avatar
Feb 16th, '08, 17:10
Posts: 5151
Joined: Dec 20th, '06, 23:33
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Been thanked: 1 time

by Salsero » Feb 16th, '08, 17:10

My Ippodo order arrived today -- 4 days after I ordered and 3 days after they mailed it. When I order from China I pay more postage and have to wait one to three months! Must be the trade winds.

I ordered the matcha starter kit from them because they had the lowest price at ¥3,800 (however much that is! -- 38 bucks maybe), Space Samurai & Eastree both recomended it, and Fukamushi Dynasty was happy with the quality. I almost ordered the exact same set from matchasource.com for $62 thinking the delivery would be faster. I'm glad I didn't: the delivery couldn't have been quicker and actually might have been slower!

Inside the mailing carton, the kit and a sifter (which I also ordered) were wrapped in thin decorative paper with Japanese writing all over and taped lightly enough that it was easy to remove the paper intact. I might reuse the lovely paper.
Image

The rest of the packaging was really high quality too: A special bag just the right size to hold and protect the bowl. The wooden spoon and sifter thingy were both wrapped with noticeably high quality material. The instructions are to-the-point without the usual glossy hype and there is an 18" by 18" cloth which I imagine is for me to wipe up the mess I make when I start flyin' with that whisk! Oh, yeh, there is also a cute little tin can which I am hoping contains some matcha.
Image

The whisk (chasen?) is much smaller than I imagined it. At less than 4.5" tall it seems miniature in my hand. I guess I was expecting something more like a kitchen whisk. Presumably, that pointy part in the middle fits into the hole in the middle of the whisk stand, an accessory that I chose not to order yet. Do I need a whisk stand?
Image

Also, the whisk seems like a very delicate little tool made all of natural materials. It's even tied with a little piece of black thread around the base of the tines, which you might be able to see in the photo above. How long does a whisk last?

I am just about as excited as I could get about these toys, but I'm still pretty nervous about actually making matcha. Baby steps, baby steps...

User avatar
Feb 16th, '08, 17:27
Posts: 8065
Joined: Jan 8th, '08, 06:00
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Southern CA
Been thanked: 2 times
Contact: Victoria

by Victoria » Feb 16th, '08, 17:27

Oh Sal, you definitely NEED a whisk stand. LOL
Especially since I have the stand and my chasen is not here yet!

User avatar
Feb 16th, '08, 18:00
Posts: 8065
Joined: Jan 8th, '08, 06:00
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Southern CA
Been thanked: 2 times
Contact: Victoria

by Victoria » Feb 16th, '08, 18:00

Ok I did it! I went with the thin matcha - Kaoru Supreme for my first try.
Pretty good I thought. Still having pic problems so I will have to use links for now sorry!

http://members.aol.com/vsown/Blog/matcha1

http://members.aol.com/vsown/Blog/matcha2

http://members.aol.com/vsown/Blog/matcha3

[Moderator's Edit: The above links are only viewable in Internet Explorer.]

So as some of you know, I'm a glass/modern kinda girl. So I was really excited to find this glass matcha bowl - it is so me!

The Float Matcha Bowl from Molo:
http://www.velocityartanddesign.com/home.php?cat=835

User avatar
Feb 16th, '08, 18:33
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Been thanked: 2 times

by Chip » Feb 16th, '08, 18:33

That is a stunning matcha bowl. The bowl potion detaches from the base, right.

A very unique matcha presentation.

Their glassware teacups are tempting too. A local store has their martini glasses. I don't drink, but almost bought them anyway due to their coolness.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!

User avatar
Feb 16th, '08, 18:41
Posts: 1459
Joined: Dec 20th, '06, 15:10

by Mary R » Feb 16th, '08, 18:41

:shock:

When I am rich, I will buy Velocity out. That is some of the coolest glassware I've ever seen.

Feb 16th, '08, 18:50
Posts: 1978
Joined: Jan 14th, '08, 18:01
Location: CA
Contact: Pentox

by Pentox » Feb 16th, '08, 18:50

Yeah i've seen the Velocity stuff before, but it's just soooo expensive that I can't justify buying any :(

+ Post Reply