OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by **Chip** » Nov 7th, '12, 16:18

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by Chip » Nov 7th, '12, 16:18

Wellllll, finally working on the packaging, etc. for OTTI 16 today. It has been a wild several weeks for many of us. whew ... and now a nor'easter

Humble TEApologies for the delay, but all the teas have been in cold storage in order to ensure optimum freshness for participants (though I kept hearing sencha calling my name ... like sirens tempting me :twisted:

).

Even during lost power, I kept everything at 34ish* F.

by **Poohblah** » Nov 8th, '12, 01:06

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by Poohblah » Nov 8th, '12, 01:06

Chip wrote:Wellllll, finally working on the packaging, etc. for OTTI 16 today. It has been a wild several weeks for many of us. whew ... and now a nor'easter

Humble TEApologies for the delay, but all the teas have been in cold storage in order to ensure optimum freshness for participants (though I kept hearing sencha calling my name ... like sirens tempting me ).

Even during lost power, I kept everything at 34ish* F.

Wow, very impressive Chip! I'm glad you made it through the storm okay

Can't wait for the sencha. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication!

by **Chip** » Nov 13th, '12, 23:13

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by Chip » Nov 13th, '12, 23:13

Soooo ... this round does not want to get done, seemingly. Rains, super storms, lost power, defective zip pouches that would not zip ... wait, you did not know that last one, did you?

I was literally going through HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of sample pouches one by one testing each one and hoping I would somehow have enough so we could complete this OTTI. After going through around 100 and having only a couple that worked ... I was torqued.

It was not meant to be ... I literally thought about maybe taping the bags shut but then had visions of sencha leaves sticking to the tape much to the dismay of participants ... plus that would not be a good enough seal anyway.

The good news now, fortunately I had not gotten the OTTI teas out of the TeaFridge which was actually an unusual bit of good fortune. So, it remained in steady cold storage, uninterupted from its hibernation.

Also good news, new pouches are here and I have tested and counted enough for this round!!! UGH and WHEW!

Tomorrow is THE DAY! The Mrs. and I are determined to get this done and shipped. Think good, happy thoughts for us!

BTW, anyone want around 1000 defective sample pouches? :roll:

by **Chip** » Nov 14th, '12, 16:05

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by Chip » Nov 14th, '12, 16:05

WOO! Lots of sencha sitting at room temp ... going in!

by **Chip** » Nov 14th, '12, 18:47

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by Chip » Nov 14th, '12, 18:47

... and DONE!

PO is closed, so in the mail tomorrow. TIME TO BREW some TdJ sencha!

Oh wait ... still have those fun customs forms to fill in. YAY!!! :roll:

by **AdamMY** » Nov 14th, '12, 18:51

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by AdamMY » Nov 14th, '12, 18:51

WOOO HOOOO!

by **Chip** » Nov 14th, '12, 20:39

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by Chip » Nov 14th, '12, 20:39

Are you in this round, Adam? :twisted:

Starting out with a few tastings including Sae Midori and the Honyama ... extremely divergent.

As is my custom, I will say little else til everyone has a chance to sample for themselves.

by **AdamMY** » Nov 14th, '12, 21:27

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by AdamMY » Nov 14th, '12, 21:27

Chip wrote:Are you in this round, Adam?

Starting out with a few tastings including Sae Midori and the Honyama ... extremely divergent.

As is my custom, I will say little else til everyone has a chance to sample for themselves.

I thought I was its been so long I don't remember. :mrgreen:

(Please view that with humor, as I intend it.)

by **Chip** » Nov 14th, '12, 22:41

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by Chip » Nov 14th, '12, 22:41

touché

by **shinobicha** » Nov 15th, '12, 00:30

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by shinobicha » Nov 15th, '12, 00:30

Seriously, Chip, that is a crazy amount of work.

How many people typically participate in these things? I'm just trying to do the math of how much tea it is, and how many bags you have to fill!

by **GreenwoodStudio** » Nov 15th, '12, 00:41

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by GreenwoodStudio » Nov 15th, '12, 00:41

I thought I was its been so long I don't remember. (Please view that with humor, as I intend it.)

BURN

by **JRS22** » Nov 15th, '12, 16:55

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by JRS22 » Nov 15th, '12, 16:55

Chip wrote:... and DONE!

PO is closed, so in the mail tomorrow. TIME TO BREW some TdJ sencha!

Oh wait ... still have those fun customs forms to fill in. YAY!!!

I, for one, am ready. I just finished the last of my tenryu and tenju. I suppose when I 'need' Japanese greens I'll just have to drink gyo.

by **Chip** » Nov 15th, '12, 23:25

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by Chip » Nov 15th, '12, 23:25

Dropped off at the PO a little after noon here.

An occupational hazard of OTTI is the darting looks from customers behind me as the one and only clerk weighs and tags each package ... not to mention the internationals.

by **Drax** » Nov 16th, '12, 07:54

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by Drax » Nov 16th, '12, 07:54

Chip wrote:Dropped off at the PO a little after noon here.

An occupational hazard of OTTI is the darting looks from customers behind me as the one and only clerk weighs and tags each package ... not to mention the internationals.

OMG YOU'RE THAT PERSON, I HATE BEING BEHIND THAT PERSON....!!!

Er, I mean, excellent news. Excellent news, indeed.

by **Chip** » Nov 16th, '12, 12:03

Re: OTTI 16 Thes du Japon, "French Sencha"

by Chip » Nov 16th, '12, 12:03

Due to tightened security, they no longer allow me to wear a hood or mask to conceal my identity ... :twisted:

... oh the shame. :oops:

OK, I will be posting brewing suggestions both mine and Thes du Japon's which are different.

DO NOT JUMP RIGHT IN AND BREW TIL YOU CHECK THIS OUT. ESPECIALLY THE MICRO-FERMENTED SAYAMA KAORI!!!

I will be posting this here (and near the beginning of this topic as I always do for easier access) today or tonight. So, if you get your teas today or tomorrow, you will have directions.