Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

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Nov 4th, '10, 10:35
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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by Chubseus » Nov 4th, '10, 10:35

New tea on Den's, Kuradashi Sencha, seems interesting...

Oh, and autumn teaware.

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Jan 26th, '11, 15:26
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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by shinobicha » Jan 26th, '11, 15:26

Chip wrote:I have not tried the Organic Sencha ... but I had their Sakura in 2008, I really liked it and I am not one to like flavored teas.
Their Organic Sencha is excellent. It isn't as good as their Honyama top-tier (Sencha Zuiko), but I personally was very impressed by the Organic Sencha. It was surprisingly fruity, well balanced, some depth. I had the impression that organics were not as good as non, and even though my experience is very limited, this has changed that impression. I recommend trying it at least once.

I've also had their Organic Houjicha and Genmaicha with Matcha. The Genmaicha with Matcha has a very good sencha base (it might be the same Organic Sencha, actually), and was one of the best Genmaichas that I've had. The Houjicha tasted standard, but was also somewhat creamy; at least in my one-time experience.

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Jan 26th, '11, 15:32
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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by shinobicha » Jan 26th, '11, 15:32

Chubseus wrote:New tea on Den's, Kuradashi Sencha, seems interesting...

Oh, and autumn teaware.
The Kuradashi sencha is my favorite non-shincha over the last year. The flavor is well balanced, sweet and fresh bitterness, long flavorful aftertaste, and even strong citrus notes.
It is also a very good deal; 80g for $16 (it is the same tea as Sencha Zuiko, but aged for 6 months in the high elevation kura, as you probably know). I hope they carry it again next year.

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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by shinobicha » Jan 26th, '11, 15:35

Has anyone tried this tea from Den's?
They didn't offer it last year (for the 2010 shincha harvest), but only for the 2009 harvest.

It was called "108th nights shincha umegashima"
Here's a link to more info. on it from Den's website:
http://www.denstea.com/index.php?main_p ... cha_report
(Scroll down to "Sugiyama Tea farm in Umegashima)

This is an interesting shincha report in and of itself, even if it is 2 years old. But this shincha really caught my eye, not only because of the locale and way it is grown (with grass covering the ground around the tea plants), but because it is made with the Zairai cultivar.

Cliff - do you remember reading anyone posting about it on the forums for the 2009 harvest?

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Jan 28th, '11, 16:38
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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by teaisme » Jan 28th, '11, 16:38

shinobicha wrote: Their Organic Sencha is excellent. It isn't as good as their Honyama top-tier (Sencha Zuiko), but I personally was very impressed by the Organic Sencha. It was surprisingly fruity, well balanced, some depth.
Really? I did try this one too, and was not nearly as impressed...
It was good don't get me wrong, but I feel you could get better organic sencha elsewhere

Lets see.....mine was bought late 2009, so maybe they sourced a different one for 2010, but the description on site still pretty much matches what I tasted


Oh yeah...free kyusu with 60+ order. Not a bad deal I must say...free shipping and free teapot exp feb 13

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Jan 28th, '11, 17:28
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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by shinobicha » Jan 28th, '11, 17:28

churng wrote:
shinobicha wrote: Their Organic Sencha is excellent. It isn't as good as their Honyama top-tier (Sencha Zuiko), but I personally was very impressed by the Organic Sencha. It was surprisingly fruity, well balanced, some depth.
Really? I did try this one too, and was not nearly as impressed...
It was good don't get me wrong, but I feel you could get better organic sencha elsewhere

Lets see.....mine was bought late 2009, so maybe they sourced a different one for 2010, but the description on site still pretty much matches what I tasted


Oh yeah...free kyusu with 60+ order. Not a bad deal I must say...free shipping and free teapot exp feb 13

I haven't bought any directly. There is a cafe near me that sells a few of Den's Teas (loose leaf, but also drinks). I have tried all of Den's organics that way. So the version I had was a 12oz sencha in one of those to-go paper cups (like a coffee cup from Starbucks or something).
Anyway, I don't know why that would be different than what you had, but I was impressed because I thought it was very tasty. I'm not saying it's the best sencha I've had, but more like, if you wanted an everyday inexpensive option, I would definitely choose something like this because it is good.
I use the word impressed because my based on what I had read, my understanding previously was that organic Japanese greens are not as good as the standard farming method. However, this sencha changed my opinion, so thus I was impressed.

But I agree with you, I am sure there are better senchas (organic) out there. My experience with organic is limited to just that and a fukamushi kukicha from Rishi, so I don't have much to compare it against.

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May 13th, '11, 15:24
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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by teaisme » May 13th, '11, 15:24

YES!

PayPal is now officially accepted!

New 2oz glazed bright lime green kyusu $16
http://www.denstea.com/teapots-cups-min ... 5_544.html
If it was plain black or red I would buy it this instant

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May 13th, '11, 18:26
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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by Chip » May 13th, '11, 18:26

churng wrote:YES!

PayPal is now officially accepted!

New 2oz glazed bright lime green kyusu $16
http://www.denstea.com/teapots-cups-min ... 5_544.html
If it was plain black or red I would buy it this instant
Yeah, I saw this 2 ounce kyusu and have thought about it more than once. Heck, maybe get a fleet of the suckahs! :mrgreen: Seriously ... kinda. These would make an interesting alternative for tastings of several/numerous teas.

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May 13th, '11, 18:50
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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by debunix » May 13th, '11, 18:50

Super cute mini kyusu!

(must not give in to the mini cuteness)

Could be practical!

(how often would I really use it?)

Shincha OTTI coming up!

(....)

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May 13th, '11, 18:53
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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by Chip » May 13th, '11, 18:53

debunix wrote:Super cute mini kyusu!

(must not give in to the mini cuteness)

Could be practical!

(how often would I really use it?)

Shincha OTTI coming up!
(....)
BRILLIANT RATIONALE! I wonder how many he has?

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May 14th, '11, 04:39
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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by Nenugal » May 14th, '11, 04:39

Chip wrote:
debunix wrote:Super cute mini kyusu!

(must not give in to the mini cuteness)

Could be practical!

(how often would I really use it?)

Shincha OTTI coming up!
(....)
BRILLIANT RATIONALE! I wonder how many he has?
+1! Do they ship internationally? From the website it looks a bit like it is USA and Canada only?

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May 14th, '11, 17:37
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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by gargoylekitty » May 14th, '11, 17:37

I got one, just one, with my shincha order from them, arrived today. It's precious(and green is my favorite color)! :mrgreen:

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May 15th, '11, 17:15
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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by Marco » May 15th, '11, 17:15

Nenugal wrote:
Chip wrote:
debunix wrote:Super cute mini kyusu!

(must not give in to the mini cuteness)

Could be practical!

(how often would I really use it?)

Shincha OTTI coming up!
(....)
BRILLIANT RATIONALE! I wonder how many he has?
+1! Do they ship internationally? From the website it looks a bit like it is USA and Canada only?
I ordered to Austria. Just write an email first, because normal checkout is not working for Europe. Have been very pleased - and don't forget to add the sampler. :)

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May 15th, '11, 17:29
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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by Nenugal » May 15th, '11, 17:29

Marco wrote:
Nenugal wrote:
Chip wrote:
debunix wrote:Super cute mini kyusu!

(must not give in to the mini cuteness)

Could be practical!

(how often would I really use it?)

Shincha OTTI coming up!
(....)
BRILLIANT RATIONALE! I wonder how many he has?
+1! Do they ship internationally? From the website it looks a bit like it is USA and Canada only?
I ordered to Austria. Just write an email first, because normal checkout is not working for Europe. Have been very pleased - and don't forget to add the sampler. :)
Thanks, that is good to know!

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Sep 12th, '12, 19:50
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Re: Den's "Official" Japanese tea topic

by sherubtse » Sep 12th, '12, 19:50

Here is a short video of tea-making at an organic facility in Shizuoka from which Den's obtains their new organic fuka:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6itG1vi3Zc&feature=plcp

Best wishes,
sherubtse
Last edited by sherubtse on Sep 12th, '12, 20:09, edited 2 times in total.

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