The Official Shincha Review Topic of 2008
The Official Shincha Review Topic of 2008
by devites » May 6th, '08, 23:50
I want this to be for Shincha Reviews. Sticky this please. This is the Hatsumi Shincha from O-cha. It lasted 4 infusions each with its own unique deliciousness.
I used a heaping teaspoon for my 9oz kyusu using Salseros shincha times of 1 min, 20 sec, 30 sec, 45 sec, and 65 sec all at 160F except the 4th which was around 170F.
The first was a little bitter, very vegetal, with a lingering sweet aftertaste that is oh so good
The second was sweet, tasted very fresh I understand why Shincha is so exciting and looked forward too. I felt an overwhelming warmth which must be the theanine.
The third was the same as second but revealed a sweeter taste and greener tea
The fourth was very sweet truly the elixir of the gods. By this point I feel stoned from the theanine so extremely relaxed.
Overall this is the best Sencha/ best green I have ever had, but my experience is limited. I give it a 4.5/5
It is amazing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23944331@N04/2472092033/
Sorry I didnt take pics of it brewed.
I used a heaping teaspoon for my 9oz kyusu using Salseros shincha times of 1 min, 20 sec, 30 sec, 45 sec, and 65 sec all at 160F except the 4th which was around 170F.
The first was a little bitter, very vegetal, with a lingering sweet aftertaste that is oh so good
The second was sweet, tasted very fresh I understand why Shincha is so exciting and looked forward too. I felt an overwhelming warmth which must be the theanine.
The third was the same as second but revealed a sweeter taste and greener tea
The fourth was very sweet truly the elixir of the gods. By this point I feel stoned from the theanine so extremely relaxed.
Overall this is the best Sencha/ best green I have ever had, but my experience is limited. I give it a 4.5/5
It is amazing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23944331@N04/2472092033/
Sorry I didnt take pics of it brewed.
Last edited by devites on May 9th, '08, 22:28, edited 2 times in total.
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devites - Posts: 253
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by JT » May 9th, '08, 04:40
Shizu Super Premium Shincha
3.5oz (100g)
$39.6 - Sold out!
Zencha's description -
"This tea is produced by "Chumushi" method, which is the steaming level between deep and light steaming. The variety of tea plant is "Yabukita".
Tea plants for this tea is grown in sandy soil. As a result, tealeaves become very thin and have a strong invigorating scent that is unique aroma of Shincha. Only hand picked first flush tealeaves are used. Since the number of this tea is very limited and the unique invigorating scent is easy to evaporate, we offer this tea until the end of June."
Now for my review.
This is one of the best Shizuoka Senchas I've had yet. I've only had 3 sessions with it so far. The last one which I'll try to describe started with 5 grams, 150ml at 168 for 100secs.
The dry leaf is nice, very straight needle like leaves. Not much broken bits even though it's a Chumushi. Mild aroma until it hits the warmed kyusu. Zencha says it has strong invigorating scent, I'd disagree and save that for describing their Premium Sencha Takumi Shincha.
First steep comes out olive green. The tastes is clean, very green or vegetative tasting. A little bit grassy but not marine like or fishy as some pick up in certain Sencha. A mildly pleasant astringency and with a hint of sweetness. The second steep is a little more bold but not much. The flavor is consistent for about 3 steeps. The 4th and 5th infusion starts getting lighter in color and flavor as you'd expect but the sweetness becomes more pronounced. I went for a 6th steep to push it and it came out a light yellowish green, still had some flavor but predominately had a mild sweetness to it.
I hope that satisfies those who were curious about this Shincha but didn't order it. I tried my best to describe it even though the taste of tea is something I have trouble putting into words.
3.5oz (100g)
$39.6 - Sold out!
Zencha's description -
"This tea is produced by "Chumushi" method, which is the steaming level between deep and light steaming. The variety of tea plant is "Yabukita".
Tea plants for this tea is grown in sandy soil. As a result, tealeaves become very thin and have a strong invigorating scent that is unique aroma of Shincha. Only hand picked first flush tealeaves are used. Since the number of this tea is very limited and the unique invigorating scent is easy to evaporate, we offer this tea until the end of June."
Now for my review.
This is one of the best Shizuoka Senchas I've had yet. I've only had 3 sessions with it so far. The last one which I'll try to describe started with 5 grams, 150ml at 168 for 100secs.
The dry leaf is nice, very straight needle like leaves. Not much broken bits even though it's a Chumushi. Mild aroma until it hits the warmed kyusu. Zencha says it has strong invigorating scent, I'd disagree and save that for describing their Premium Sencha Takumi Shincha.
First steep comes out olive green. The tastes is clean, very green or vegetative tasting. A little bit grassy but not marine like or fishy as some pick up in certain Sencha. A mildly pleasant astringency and with a hint of sweetness. The second steep is a little more bold but not much. The flavor is consistent for about 3 steeps. The 4th and 5th infusion starts getting lighter in color and flavor as you'd expect but the sweetness becomes more pronounced. I went for a 6th steep to push it and it came out a light yellowish green, still had some flavor but predominately had a mild sweetness to it.
I hope that satisfies those who were curious about this Shincha but didn't order it. I tried my best to describe it even though the taste of tea is something I have trouble putting into words.
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JT - Posts: 60
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by Bamboofo... » May 9th, '08, 12:11
JT, thank you for sharing that review. Looks like a truly marvelous tea. I'd like to know, which one do you like best: Takumi or Shizu?
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Bamboofo... - Posts: 294
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by Wesli » May 9th, '08, 12:21
O-Cha Hatsumi:
So broken up this year that it has lost much flavor, like how all teabags taste the same. Clogs filters, hard to brew, bad payoff.
HOWEVER, the later steeps are some of the best later steeps I've ever had.
So broken up this year that it has lost much flavor, like how all teabags taste the same. Clogs filters, hard to brew, bad payoff.
HOWEVER, the later steeps are some of the best later steeps I've ever had.
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Wesli - Posts: 1606
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by olivierco » May 9th, '08, 13:31
JT wrote:I hope that satisfies those who were curious about this Shincha but didn't order it. I tried my best to describe it even though the taste of tea is something I have trouble putting into words.
Thanks for this very detailed review!
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olivierco - Posts: 3213
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by JT » May 9th, '08, 17:39
Glad to see the review was appreciated guys.
I'm enjoying the Takumi a bit more than the Shizu at the moment. But that could change as I experiment with them more. The Takumi just seems to have more of a flavor kick to it and of course the aroma is awesome.
bambooforest wrote:JT, thank you for sharing that review. Looks like a truly marvelous tea. I'd like to know, which one do you like best: Takumi or Shizu?
I'm enjoying the Takumi a bit more than the Shizu at the moment. But that could change as I experiment with them more. The Takumi just seems to have more of a flavor kick to it and of course the aroma is awesome.
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JT - Posts: 60
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by devites » May 9th, '08, 22:31
You are right Wesli the Hatsumi is broken up by I really like having bits of it in my cup, it makes it taste ssooo good. I strongly disagree about the bad payoff mine has tons of flavor and doesnt clog my filter. Im glad you liked the later steeps because those are just amazing.
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devites - Posts: 253
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by Insanity... » May 10th, '08, 17:58
so i've tried the fuka supreme sal sent and it was so sweet and heavenly. the only problem is i seemed to only get two great infusions. i went with 1 rounded teaspoon to 176F 8oz of water for 45sec, 15sec, 30sec. anyone have any idea what i could adjust to make it better ? i'm gonna try upping the amount but with all my previous sencha i would do a 2-3 minute 3rd infusion. maybe that's where i went wrong
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Insanity... - Posts: 226
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