Everyday sencha

by **Poohblah** » Jul 1st, '11, 17:50

Everyday sencha

by Poohblah » Jul 1st, '11, 17:50

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

by **Chip** » Jul 1st, '11, 17:53

Re: everyday sencha

by Chip » Jul 1st, '11, 17:53

Please give a target price range based on 100 grams. Thanks ...

by **tortoise** » Jul 1st, '11, 17:56

Re: everyday sencha

by tortoise » Jul 1st, '11, 17:56

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.

by **NOESIS** » Jul 1st, '11, 18:58

Re: everyday sencha

by NOESIS » Jul 1st, '11, 18:58

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

by **Poohblah** » Jul 1st, '11, 19:35

Re: everyday sencha

by Poohblah » Jul 1st, '11, 19:35

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.

by **brlarson** » Jul 1st, '11, 21:41

Re: everyday sencha

by brlarson » Jul 1st, '11, 21:41

NOESIS wrote:Sencha Superior from Hibiki-an is a good everyday light-steamed sencha. 200g for $30, and free shipping over $36.

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.php/cPath/36/products_id/429?osCsid=i1n6tojgt59d8ijt601cq5t8f3

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.

by **iannon** » Jul 1st, '11, 22:02

Re: everyday sencha

by iannon » Jul 1st, '11, 22:02

brlarson wrote:
NOESIS wrote:Sencha Superior from Hibiki-an is a good everyday light-steamed sencha. 200g for $30, and free shipping over $36.

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.php/cPath/36/products_id/429?osCsid=i1n6tojgt59d8ijt601cq5t8f3

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

Last edited by iannon on Jul 2nd, '11, 19:29, edited 1 time in total.

by **naivemonarch** » Jul 2nd, '11, 10:38

Re: everyday sencha

by naivemonarch » Jul 2nd, '11, 10:38

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.

by **Stentor** » Jul 2nd, '11, 12:08

Re: everyday sencha

by Stentor » Jul 2nd, '11, 12:08

"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.

by **Chip** » Jul 2nd, '11, 13:01

Re: Everyday sencha

by Chip » Jul 2nd, '11, 13:01

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.

by **NOESIS** » Jul 2nd, '11, 14:19

Re: Everyday sencha

by NOESIS » Jul 2nd, '11, 14:19

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.

by **entropyembrace** » Jul 2nd, '11, 14:55

Re: Everyday sencha

by entropyembrace » Jul 2nd, '11, 14:55

Maiko has inexpensive shipping options...airmail and SAL.

by **Cole** » Jul 2nd, '11, 18:52

Re: Everyday sencha

by Cole » Jul 2nd, '11, 18:52

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!

by **NOESIS** » Jul 2nd, '11, 19:34

Re: Everyday sencha

by NOESIS » Jul 2nd, '11, 19:34

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.

by **strickmr** » Jul 24th, '11, 00:04

Re: Everyday sencha

by strickmr » Jul 24th, '11, 00:04

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.