Getting started with matcha--pointers please?

[Victoria]

Which matcha from Den's are you using?

[Geekgirl]

Don't particularly care for any of den's matcha myself. I much prefer ippodo, and even ito-en. Uwajimaya has a couple of decent options too.

[debunix]

Den's Organic matcha.

[Chip]

It has been a few years since I had any of the Ippodo magic green powder, but it was outstanding.

Heh, I also like the 3 Den's offerings, Miyabi, Organic, and Kaze.

I am not very discerning in the realm of Matcha though ... as long as it is not bitter or off tasting ... or nasty olive drab color.

[Victoria]

Den's Organic matcha.

Haven't tried that one, it's the Miyabi I love,
very sweet and my current favorite.

[rjiwrth]

... Then I had a matcha the other day and I feel in love it it is above the price range I normally want to spend on tea, but it was incredibly creamy and sweet, with practically no sign of bitterness.

Adam, which did you have, BTW?

Debunix: Last spring was my first matcha experience. I could not tell much difference between the matchas I purchased last year and I purchased some of the best. I found no sweetness. This year, it was a very, very different story. I was craving matcha this spring and found myself with only a few servings of Ippodo's ummon-no-mukashi from last spring. Way past it's prime, but I figured I would use it up. It was soooooo sweet this time. It set me on a downward spiral, looking for anything green to drink! I had nothing. I ordered a bunch and when I sampled my new arrivals, each one had a different story to tell this year. I had entered a new zone.

As Oni mentioned, I found using a 120 prong Japanese chasen made a difference in the foam. This makes a difference in the taste for me and yes, it makes it sweeter. I notice fluctuations in umami in the areas between the foam and the liquid when I get a good foam going. The lower water temp helps me draw out the sweetness, but a heated chawan is a must...along with a sifter. Plus, I use two, sometimes three, large chashaku full of matcha. But that's just me. I am officially addicted to it.

I've experimented with about 9 varieties within the last three weeks from four vendors: Ippodo, O-Cha, Den's and Zencha. I will post reviews on each soon.

Briefly, though, Matcha Manten from O-Cha was sublime and won hands-down for umami; sweetness, thickness, richness, clarity. The luxurious mouth-feel had a soothing effect on every part of my being. I can't afford it for everyday use, so I savor it sparingly. Ippodo's Ikuyo-no-mukashi was my second favorite this year for the sweetness and hint of sweet cocoa. I use the Kimmo-no-mukashi for my daily matcha because it is mild and sweet.

From Ippodo: Kimmo-no-mukasi; Nodoka Special Matcha (Only available in spring); Sayaka-no-Mukashi Premium; Ummon-no-mukashi and Ikuyo-no-mukashi).

I prefer Ippodo's matchas over Den's (Den's: Matcha Kaze and Matcha Miyabi). However, I want to continue giving my matchas from Den's a chance by continuing to adjust parameters. I wasn't thrilled with Zencha's Yame Matcha Sansui as it seemed lacking in umami, was not very sweet and was generally non-descript. Just keep experimenting. It took me a year before I realized how much I love it.

[debunix]

Thanks for the detailed suggestions. I won't give up on the idea of matcha just yet!

[AdamMY]

The matcha I was talking about I believe was the Wakamatsu-no-Mukashi.

But Ippodo is the only place I have gotten match from... worth mentioning, I did get some powder from a Vain tea place.... I think Tea Vainia or something like that.