Hi all, I'm new to tea but recently tried David's Teas's Sencha Ashikubo. WOW. What a revelation- fragrant, sweet, buttery, delicate. I tend to not like the super grassy, bitter greens-- any suggestions for which I should try next?
Thanks,
And happy tea drinking!
Feb 4th, '11, 21:59
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Re: Loved Sencha Ashikubo, what to try next?
Hi and welcome to the forum.
A newer tea that has impressed everyone I know who has tried it is "Sencha 7132" from O-Cha.com. Not grassy, not veggie, not bitter.
It is made from a new variety of Camellia sinensis, the tea plant, simply called Sencha 7132.
It has a natural fruity aroma and taste. I liken it to warm cinnamon raisin bread.
THIS IS NOT A FLAVORED OR SCENTED TEA, NOTHING ADDED ... JUST PLAIN TEA LEAVES.
A newer tea that has impressed everyone I know who has tried it is "Sencha 7132" from O-Cha.com. Not grassy, not veggie, not bitter.
It is made from a new variety of Camellia sinensis, the tea plant, simply called Sencha 7132.
It has a natural fruity aroma and taste. I liken it to warm cinnamon raisin bread.
THIS IS NOT A FLAVORED OR SCENTED TEA, NOTHING ADDED ... JUST PLAIN TEA LEAVES.
Re: Loved Sencha Ashikubo, what to try next?
Hi and welcome to Teachat 
I like the Ashikubo from DavidsTea too...it´s nice to fill in the gaps between orders from Japan...
If you want to try another tea with similar characteristics I´d recommend starting with
Shin-ryoku from Den´s in the US http://www.denstea.com/index.php?main_p ... Path=70_89
or
the Maruyama from Maiko in Japan http://www.maiko.ne.jp/english/shopping/sencha.htm (scroll down until you see it)
Also it wouldnt hurt ordering other teas from either vendor to see what else you like
I like the Ashikubo from DavidsTea too...it´s nice to fill in the gaps between orders from Japan...
If you want to try another tea with similar characteristics I´d recommend starting with
Shin-ryoku from Den´s in the US http://www.denstea.com/index.php?main_p ... Path=70_89
or
the Maruyama from Maiko in Japan http://www.maiko.ne.jp/english/shopping/sencha.htm (scroll down until you see it)
Also it wouldnt hurt ordering other teas from either vendor to see what else you like
Re: Loved Sencha Ashikubo, what to try next?
I've only had a generous sample of it, but I would also recommend Mellow Monk's Top Leaf.
This doesn't have any grassy or bitterness.... it is earthy, fruity, a little sweet and even something like minty. But, it is still a Japanese green, somehow.
Definitely one to consider if you want sencha that is different from the norm...
This doesn't have any grassy or bitterness.... it is earthy, fruity, a little sweet and even something like minty. But, it is still a Japanese green, somehow.
Definitely one to consider if you want sencha that is different from the norm...
Re: Loved Sencha Ashikubo, what to try next?
Wow, thanks all for the great suggestions. I was looking into thr O-Cha Yutaka Midori Kaoru Supreme LE that got so much love on this board-- would someone who isn't into bitter green teas like that?
Feb 5th, '11, 10:26
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Re: Loved Sencha Ashikubo, what to try next?
I do not think it is bitter, but I drink a lot of senchajoannar wrote:Wow, thanks all for the great suggestions. I was looking into thr O-Cha Yutaka Midori Kaoru Supreme LE that got so much love on this board-- would someone who isn't into bitter green teas like that?
. The varietal YM is quite unique in taste, and anyone who is on a sencha journey should try it. Most good Japanese greens can be brewed at lower temps which will usually reduce the bitterness and give you more sweetness. The price of this is usually at least slightly diminished aroma.
Re: Loved Sencha Ashikubo, what to try next?
Just placed an order with Den's Tea for:
1 x Fukamushi-Sencha Maki (2oz/56g) (1202) = $11.00
1 x Gyokuro Kin (2oz/56g) (1305) = $13.50
1 x Sencha Extra Green (with Matcha) (2oz/56g) (1111) = $8.00
1 x Sencha Shin-ryoku (2oz/56g) (1105) = $11.50
As well as a beautiful Sencha teapot!
Can't wait. Thanks all
1 x Fukamushi-Sencha Maki (2oz/56g) (1202) = $11.00
1 x Gyokuro Kin (2oz/56g) (1305) = $13.50
1 x Sencha Extra Green (with Matcha) (2oz/56g) (1111) = $8.00
1 x Sencha Shin-ryoku (2oz/56g) (1105) = $11.50
As well as a beautiful Sencha teapot!
Can't wait. Thanks all
Feb 5th, '11, 13:53
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Re: Loved Sencha Ashikubo, what to try next?
Nice order! Which teapot did you get?joannar wrote:Just placed an order with Den's Tea for:
1 x Fukamushi-Sencha Maki (2oz/56g) (1202) = $11.00
1 x Gyokuro Kin (2oz/56g) (1305) = $13.50
1 x Sencha Extra Green (with Matcha) (2oz/56g) (1111) = $8.00
1 x Sencha Shin-ryoku (2oz/56g) (1105) = $11.50
As well as a beautiful Sencha teapot!
Re: Loved Sencha Ashikubo, what to try next?
The Premium Sencha teapot:
http://www.denstea.com/index.php?main_p ... th=275_433
I'm brewing in a French press right now which works surprisingly well but I'm sure this will be much better (-:
http://www.denstea.com/index.php?main_p ... th=275_433
I'm brewing in a French press right now which works surprisingly well but I'm sure this will be much better (-:
Re: Loved Sencha Ashikubo, what to try next?
looks goodjoannar wrote:Just placed an order with Den's Tea for:
1 x Fukamushi-Sencha Maki (2oz/56g) (1202) = $11.00
1 x Gyokuro Kin (2oz/56g) (1305) = $13.50
1 x Sencha Extra Green (with Matcha) (2oz/56g) (1111) = $8.00
1 x Sencha Shin-ryoku (2oz/56g) (1105) = $11.50
As well as a beautiful Sencha teapot!
Can't wait. Thanks all
I suspect you will really like the teapot too...it´s a big upgrade from a french press....a kyusu will make you want to brew more sencha just to use it! 
About the Yutaka Midori Kaoru Supreme...brewed correctly it´s buttery, veggie and sweet....it reminds me of fresh steamed asparagus with melted butter. It´s definitely worth trying....my first sencha and still one of my favourites!
Feb 5th, '11, 17:50
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Re: Loved Sencha Ashikubo, what to try next?
That is a great little kyusu! You will enjoy it. I do!joannar wrote:The Premium Sencha teapot:
http://www.denstea.com/index.php?main_p ... th=275_433
I'm brewing in a French press right now which works surprisingly well but I'm sure this will be much better (-:
LOL, my first pot was a french press. And yes it will brew sencha or any other tea, but as Ent has said, "you will want to brew more sencha just to use it!"
Re: Loved Sencha Ashikubo, what to try next?
Thank you! I'll be sure to post in this thread when I get my order
Re: Loved Sencha Ashikubo, what to try next?
An interesting little tidbit for that teapot:
http://www.denstea.com/index.php?main_p ... th=275_433
The Japanese word on it is "Yama den" which is the logo of the parent company, Shirakata-denshiro Shoten....
I am considering a new kyusu in the next several months. My current one: http://www.denstea.com/index.php?main_p ... th=275_497
is great and pefect for brewing for 2 or 3 people (which I often try to do). However, the rim that holds the lid has partially chipped.... I've only had it for about 8 months, but with almost daily use, I suppose that kind of thing happens. Something may ahve hit the rim that slightly cracked it, and I didn't notice until it actually partly broke off...
Random question for Chip and Entropye and anyone else who has been using such teaware for a long time (longer than I at least!) How long does a typical kyusu/clayware last?
I am either going to get the one joannar bought, another from Den's, or most likely one of HOJO's lower end offerings... Since my current kyusu still works (the lid still fits, the rim still holds it up), I'm not in a hurry. Unless I could tell it was causing a lot of issues with brewing, which I cannot, at least so far.
http://www.denstea.com/index.php?main_p ... th=275_433
The Japanese word on it is "Yama den" which is the logo of the parent company, Shirakata-denshiro Shoten....
I am considering a new kyusu in the next several months. My current one: http://www.denstea.com/index.php?main_p ... th=275_497
is great and pefect for brewing for 2 or 3 people (which I often try to do). However, the rim that holds the lid has partially chipped.... I've only had it for about 8 months, but with almost daily use, I suppose that kind of thing happens. Something may ahve hit the rim that slightly cracked it, and I didn't notice until it actually partly broke off...
Random question for Chip and Entropye and anyone else who has been using such teaware for a long time (longer than I at least!) How long does a typical kyusu/clayware last?
I am either going to get the one joannar bought, another from Den's, or most likely one of HOJO's lower end offerings... Since my current kyusu still works (the lid still fits, the rim still holds it up), I'm not in a hurry. Unless I could tell it was causing a lot of issues with brewing, which I cannot, at least so far.
Feb 7th, '11, 14:09
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Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
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Re: Loved Sencha Ashikubo, what to try next?
A lot will depend on the care, attentive use, and then luck. You can do everything right, and in a moment of lack of focus, poof ... the lid slips off, etc. Then there are the elements one tries to control, yet again, it only takes a second for a cat to run across a tea table and destroy a cherished kyusu.
And of course proper cleaning each time you use it.
With consistant good care and good luck, it can last many years. Best to get the rookie mistakes out of the way with a cheaper one.
Cats did this over a two year period ...
A decent repair ...
And of course proper cleaning each time you use it.
With consistant good care and good luck, it can last many years. Best to get the rookie mistakes out of the way with a cheaper one.
Cats did this over a two year period ...
A decent repair ...
Re: Loved Sencha Ashikubo, what to try next?
Thank God it was just the handles on those!
Of all things cats could have destroyed... I'm sure a handle is much easier to repair than a spout or lid, etc. At least the functionality is hampered, instead of there being no functionality at all...
Well done with the repair work!
Good luck, yeah, haha. You are right, in just a moment of distraction or lack of focus or slippery hands... ouch!
I guess if you spend a lot on a pot, it's worth it to repair when possible...
When you say "proper cleaning", I just rinse mine out with warm water, and then set it on a towel to air dry (lid off of course and angled downwards to encourage any water to run out the spout).... Am I missing anything there?
Sorry to take this thread off in a different direction though! That will be my last teaware-related question on this sencha-related topic!
Thanks!
Of all things cats could have destroyed... I'm sure a handle is much easier to repair than a spout or lid, etc. At least the functionality is hampered, instead of there being no functionality at all...
Well done with the repair work!
Good luck, yeah, haha. You are right, in just a moment of distraction or lack of focus or slippery hands... ouch!
I guess if you spend a lot on a pot, it's worth it to repair when possible...
When you say "proper cleaning", I just rinse mine out with warm water, and then set it on a towel to air dry (lid off of course and angled downwards to encourage any water to run out the spout).... Am I missing anything there?
Sorry to take this thread off in a different direction though! That will be my last teaware-related question on this sencha-related topic!
Thanks!