Woah! $45 for Genmaicha?

[shinobicha]

Woah! $45 for Genmaicha?

by shinobicha » Apr 25th, '12, 15:27

Now, this company seems to carry some pretty rare green teas, as well as from artisans who (apparently) make gyokuro for the imperial family.

Nonetheless: http://www.gokotea.com/All-the-small-batch-artisan-Japanese-green-teas-we-offer-s/39.htm

It appears they are selling 20g of Genmaicha with Matcha for $45. Even if it's packaged in gold, doesn't that seem a little crazy?
All of the prices for the teas on that link are for 20g. The matcha offerings (at 20g), don't seem quite as extreme, but nonetheless...

Any thoughts, comments?

[SilentChaos]

Re: Woah! $45 for Genmaicha?

by SilentChaos » Apr 25th, '12, 15:45

.... ....are they selling tea or are they selling box? ...

[Chip]

Re: Woah! $45 for Genmaicha?

by Chip » Apr 25th, '12, 17:41

... pass ...

IMHO, there is no genmai on the planet worth that much.

[AdamMY]

Re: Woah! $45 for Genmaicha?

by AdamMY » Apr 25th, '12, 17:47

One thing I noticed, that is likely adding 20 or more dollars to the price is, the couple of teas I checked all have the following quote:

Like all our exclusive Japanese green teas, it is packaged in an oxygen-free sealed pouch, enclosed in a stainless metal canister ideal for shelf storage, presented in a beautiful natural finish KIRI wood box bound with a multicolor cotton SANADAHIMO tied in the traditional YOHOKAKE way.

Where I do not know about the quality of the Tin, but only some of my best quality teaware has come in a Kiri wood box with a Sanadahimo.

[Teacup1980]

Re: Woah! $45 for Genmaicha?

by Teacup1980 » Apr 25th, '12, 18:19

... pass ...

IMHO, there is no genmai on the planet worth that much.

I totally agree

[shinobicha]

Re: Woah! $45 for Genmaicha?

by shinobicha » Apr 25th, '12, 19:16

... pass ...

IMHO, there is no genmai on the planet worth that much.

Well Chip, if that's not good enough for you, how about 20g of Sencha for $90?
http://www.gokotea.com/YAME-Award-Winning-Aritisan-Ultimate-SENCHA-p/g3k402.htm

And hurry, there are only 200g available!

[Chip]

Re: Woah! $45 for Genmaicha?

by Chip » Apr 25th, '12, 20:35

I wonder if they offer free samples!

[mbanu]

Re: Woah! $45 for Genmaicha?

by mbanu » Apr 25th, '12, 20:45

You may laugh, but this sort of thing can be a real problem... a person who isn't very sophisticated about teas but wants to buy "the best" can easily get suckered by this sort of thing.

[Kevangogh]

Re: Woah! $45 for Genmaicha?

by Kevangogh » Apr 25th, '12, 21:49

It's also a case of trying to import, store, and sell from outside of Japan with the exchange at 80 yen to the dollar.