Koicha vs. Usucha

[Tobias]

Which one do you prefer?

[edkrueger]

Both.

[AdamMY]

Really depends on a lot of factors, such as which matcha I have, and whether that is going to be the only tea, or is it a tea I am having in conjunction with many others.

But I guess supposing I have access to any matcha commercially available, I prefer Koicha.

But should it be a tea to kick off a series of 2 or 3 teas, then Usucha is much more to my liking.

[Chip]

Because I am both cheap and a wimp, usacha. Koicha makes me shudder ...

[entropyembrace]

have only tried Usucha...one of these days I will order Koicha...when I get over sticker shock combined with having to use the whole can quickly.

[olivierco]

Koicha. Matcha suitable for koicha will yield great usacha anyway.

[Tobias]

Both.

Oops, seems like the poll result resets if you add another alternative.

[Chip]

Both.

Oops, seems like the poll result resets if you add another alternative.

Yeah, I did that once too.

Everyone just has to vote again.

[Oni]

Koicha. Matcha suitable for koicha will yield great usacha anyway.

This is the answer to this question, Koicha is a higher quality matcha, but nothing stops you from making an usucha out of a Koicha matcha, and that will be better than your cheap usucha, imagine this question like - what do you prefer a higher quality matcha or a lower quality matcha - if we do not look at the price and we could get both for free we all would choose the higher quality, as a philosophical aspiration to the better.

[Chip]

OK, this raises a question, does usacha and koicha refer to the preparation, or to a type of matcha suited to one or the other (or both).

I would say it is the preparation. And some matcha are suited to koicha, some to usacha. And yes, koicha is suited to both, but is more costly per gram.

[JBaymore]

I think that koicha and usucha refer specifically to the preparation, not the tea.

Koicha sort of "requires" a better grade of matcha. But it is still matcha. It is matcha that someone thinks is suitable for preparing as koicha (thick tea).

The real problem with koicha is the cost per bowl unless you are practicing Chanoyu. Pretty hefty cost for a bowl of it at home.... between the premium matcha and the amount used .

And I usually buy "koicha suitable" matcha and make ususcha with it.

best,

.................john

[entropyembrace]

I suppose I could try making Koicha with the matcha I have but I´m not sure that would be a good idea.

[edkrueger]

Koicha "grade" matcha doesn't necessarily make great usucha, but usucha "grade" never makes great Koicha.

And, BTW I put both as my answer because when making Koicha after you or your guest drinks you can add water to the remaining tea and whisk it into usucha.