Hibiki-an

[Teacup1980]

Hibiki-an is one of my favorites too, but YES they are expensive. I've tried Sencha Super Premium with my friends before and that was very good tea. I think their teas are better than many other vendors, and Hibiki-an is in my top 10 list, but not in top 5.

[IPT]

Wow! Now I'm really confused! Haha. Thanks for all your input everybody.

[Tead Off]

Wow! Now I'm really confused! Haha. Thanks for all your input everybody.

That's what happens when you ask for opinions.
Best thing is to start buying and comparing. We all taste things differently. Since Ippodo is a standard for many Japanese, you could start there.

[Chip]

Wow! Now I'm really confused! Haha. Thanks for all your input everybody.

That's what happens when you ask for opinions.
Best thing is to start buying and comparing. We all taste things differently. Since Ippodo is a standard for many Japanese, you could start there.

Or Tsuen TeaHouse, the oldest teahouse in Japan, like 700+ years and umpteen generations in the same family. You could go to Japan or find some of their teas at O-Cha, the only online source.

[Ambrose]

... I should say, Hibiki-an is still easily in my personal top 10, like I said, not bad at all. I hope to revisit their sencha this harvest. 2 years ago, I really liked their Sencha Premium. Now they added Fukamushi Premium.

Ive tried this from them, I thought it was pretty good but not the best fukamushi Ive tried. Then again I dont really like fukamushi, I liked dens much more and I actually dont like dens offerings. This fukamushi to me was lacking in the deep sweet flavors fuka brings. That and too much astringency for a fukamushi, in my opinion. Out of the vendors and teas ive tried so far hibikian is at the top but only for the sencha superior Ive got some super premium on the way which Ive never tried.

[brlarson]

Last year I tried hibiki-an's entire quality range of sencha and gyokuro. Their pinnacle grade teas are exquisite but are also exquisitely priced. If want to experience umami in a pure, pure form then try their pinnacle grade sencha. I usually save pinnacle gyo and sencha to serve to visiting kings and very close friends.

I was less happy with their premium and super-premium teas, however I agree with Ambrose that their sencha superior is very good tea for a modest price and it makes a good daily sencha.

Keep in mind that Hibiki-an offers free int'l shipping for orders of $38 or more.

[britt]

Or Tsuen TeaHouse, the oldest teahouse in Japan, like 700+ years and umpteen generations in the same family. You could go to Japan or find some of their teas at O-Cha, the only online source.

I definitely second the Tsuen recommendation. A bit pricey for their top-of-the-line items, but I always felt these prices were justified by the quality and care that goes into them. Oh yes, and the superior taste!

[IPT]

Can I have a website for them? The only thing I could find forwarded me to their Canadian shop.

[Chip]

Can I have a website for them? The only thing I could find forwarded me to their Canadian shop.

You can obtain several in their line from O-Cha.com which is in Japan.

[Ambrose]

Ive now tried their sencha super premium. Although this tea is really great, I dont think its worth the extra money. Ive had better teas than this for less. I still stick true to their sencha superior though, they got that blend spot on for the money.

[IPT]

I got 30g of Hibiki-an's Pinnacle Matcha and I am in love! It is incredible! I haven't been this excited about a new tea in a very long time!

[Ambrose]

I got 30g of Hibiki-an's Pinnacle Matcha and I am in love! It is incredible! I haven't been this excited about a new tea in a very long time!

This is what I was going to order next, I wonder how it compares to Hojo's Hon Yama, best sencha ive tried to date.

[qaymar23]

I got 30g of Hibiki-an's Pinnacle Matcha and I am in love! It is incredible! I haven't been this excited about a new tea in a very long time!

I just received my Pinnacle Matcha from Hikiki-an yesterday and both times it came out bitter. I know I must be doing something wrong. I am following the instuctions as indicated which is 2 scoops per approx 3 oz water at 185F. I wisked as indicated and it did become frothy. The initial taste is bitter, but the first go around had a nice long semi sweet after taste, the 2nd time the semi sweet after taste left me pretty quick. These were my virgin attempts so any helpful tips would be great. Also how does one make sure they are measuring the correct amt. of matcha? I have the scooper but it does not seem exact measurement to me.

[Oni]

Try koicha method, that tea is ment for koicha, you tried usucha, use at least double the amount of tea to 2 oz, and there is your sweetness, this is why you need to start with lower grade, you did not have the proper skills to whisk.

[qaymar23]

Try koicha method, that tea is ment for koicha, you tried usucha, use at least double the amount of tea to 2 oz, and there is your sweetness, this is why you need to start with lower grade, you did not have the proper skills to whisk.

Oh, thank you for that information. The web site did tell me that the matcha could be used for either usucha or koicha, so naturally I assumed that to be the case.