itoen shincha - any experience?

[inspectoring]

Any one tried their shincha last year? How does it stack up against the others?
I think last year they had kagoshima and shizouka.

Any bitterness? which one is sweeter / more unami tasting?

Last year the Hashiri from den's completely turned me off as it was really bitter for me and it was my first shincha experience

Thanks for any input guys.

[radhehari]

Ito En's Megami Sencha ($5.5/ounce) is an excellent tea. A slightly sweeter aftertaste and dense color. Since I usually consume it at work (at least 2-3 times each week), I do not strain it twice and just allowing it to sediment. It also helps bring it down to the temprature of around 80F. Personally, I feel the tea taste very different at approx. 110F and 80 F.

Usually steep it twice

[bambooforest]

Last year the Hashiri from den's completely turned me off as it was really bitter for me and it was my first shincha experience

Thanks for any input guys.

Though I haven't tried it myself... I do know that the Hashiri is not a nomral shincha. It's a very unusual shincha in that it is harvested earlier than shincha normally is.

So... I would say... using the Hashiri as a model to what shincha tastes like would be very misleading.

Good luck on your search for good shincha. Lots of excellent vendors out there.

[Chip]

I agree, Hashiri is picked to be first of the first, often too early IMHO. I had standard shincha from Den's and certainly enjoyed it much more than Hashiri which I felt lacked normal balance.

I will buy something after tasting IN Ito-en. I am not a huge fan on how they handle their Japanese teas.

[inspectoring]

thank you for the reply guys.
I agree their megami is top notch, however I was wondering how their shincha was.

[Zion21]

Ito En's Megami Sencha ($5.5/ounce) is an excellent tea. A slightly sweeter aftertaste and dense color. Since I usually consume it at work (at least 2-3 times each week), I do not strain it twice and just allowing it to sediment. It also helps bring it down to the temprature of around 80F. Personally, I feel the tea taste very different at approx. 110F and 80 F.

Usually steep it twice

Thanks for the info. I was wondering how to properly steep this tea.

[joelbct]

Any one tried their shincha last year? How does it stack up against the others?
I think last year they had kagoshima and shizouka.

Yes I tried them both, and they both were excellent.

Their Shizuoka Shincha was my favorite Shincha of last year, was really exquisite and had a very unique taste. 10 out of 10!!! The Kago was great too, but I thought the Shizuoka reigned supreme.

I haven't yet tried this year's batch, I'm placing my order this Friday...

As stated above, for regular sencha, the Megami is wonderful. As is the Chiran Kanaya Midori...


As for preparation, the usual guideline is 175 degrees F, for 1-2.5 minutes, depending on your taste.... and then a 2nd steeping. For Shincha, you could experiment with a lower temperature...

[inspectoring]

Thanks joelbct - I just picked up the kagoshima - and while it tastes on par with other shincha when brewed hot, it simply tastes divine when brewed cold - simply amazing !!!!