Organic Tea

[TEAcipes]

Rishi's Organic Nishi first flush was really tasty.

However, the problem with Japanese greens being organic is that it makes the price jump up like crazy.
You can be paying for a 2nd flush quality at a 1st flush price. For instance, there was a bag of organic fukamushi I purchased at a Japanese supermarke) a while back that was about 7.99 for a 100g... But when I actually drank it tasted like tea that's 4 bucks a kilo. Water-y!

[Rainy-Day]

I just finished Hou De's organic pin lin '08 bao zhong. It was very decent.. I had to use a bit more leaf than I think I'd use with a non-organic. I think this is the first organic tea I had (except for maybe some really cheap green from specialteas or some place like that years ago). Based on my experience with it, I will have to seek out more organic teas. My general attitude to organic produce is that I will choose it over regular stuff when it's practical, that is, not more than 1.5-2x more expensive, available locally, etc. I would say that 80% of organic produce tastes better and has better texture than regular counterparts, although some of that may come simply from the fact that it's stored better, shipped more carefully, picked with care, etc - because it's more expensive and producers have more at stake in trying to keep it in good shape.

[Janine]

One note I can say about organic is that Roy Fong of Imperial Tea Court has told me he is now involved with a farm to grow organic jasmine for jasmine-scented tea. He claims that pesticides & chemicals have created flowers that are poorer in aroma and adding good scent and flavor to tea than that of the past. He's also bringing organic alternative fertilizers to China because he really thinks organic will create better teas - it seemed to me he's grown really concerned about lack of good teas and he thinks organic is the way to go in order to produce more good teas in China - he feels the taste is negatively impacted via pesticides and chemical fertilizers and the effect on the land (if I understood him correctly!).

TokyoB - I'm going to try to contact Tillerman after they open later today about their organics (esp asking about the Ruby Black)

[t4texas]

Rishi's Organic Nishi first flush was really tasty.

However, the problem with Japanese greens being organic is that it makes the price jump up like crazy.
You can be paying for a 2nd flush quality at a 1st flush price. For instance, there was a bag of organic fukamushi I purchased at a Japanese supermarke) a while back that was about 7.99 for a 100g... But when I actually drank it tasted like tea that's 4 bucks a kilo. Water-y!

Are Japanese grocery teas in the US usually drinkable?

[thirtysixbelow]

Are Japanese grocery teas in the US usually drinkable?

My local grocery store doesn't even sell loose teas. Everything is teabags. I can buy world class beers and wines locally, there is a roaster down the street that roasts coffee beans daily for super fresh coffee, but I have to buy all of my tea online.

[Janine]

@ TokyoB

re: Ruby Black from Tillerman Teas

I spoke with David Campbell of Tillerman Teas. What he told me was that the Ruby Black is grown in an organic garden. It is certified organic by the Taiwanese government. However, it has not been cross-certified by the USDA standards, so they cannot put it as "organic" on their website

[clareandromeda]

I started out with Japanese grocery teas, I've visited about 5 stores in my area comparing them...When I got my first o-cha order I couldn't believe the difference, I will never go back!

[TEAcipes]

Are Japanese grocery teas in the US usually drinkable?

Depends... I usually find them good for everyday drinking, but not for special occasion use. Special occasion teas I order straight from the vendor.

[Domn]

I believe that Japanese teas which are non-organic aren`t so full of pesticides.
Correct me if i am wrong, but isn`t Japanese government very strict with pesticide use?
My first organic sencha was from local organic shop and was horrible! So for some time I didn`t drink organic senchas, but when i tried yuuki cha`s sencha i was plesently suprised!

[TokyoB]

@ TokyoB

re: Ruby Black from Tillerman Teas

I spoke with David Campbell of Tillerman Teas. What he told me was that the Ruby Black is grown in an organic garden. It is certified organic by the Taiwanese government. However, it has not been cross-certified by the USDA standards, so they cannot put it as "organic" on their website

Thanks for the follow-up. I hadn't heard of Tillerman before. I had once purchased an organic Oriental Beauty (bai hao) from HouDe and the farmer was also a Mr. Chen. Looks like it might be the same person. It looks like Tillerman carries a few of Mr. Chen's teas. Glad to see it. Thanks for making me aware of this source.

[silverneedles]

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.food ... 837947a0e2

[t4texas]

What kind of difference are you seeing in the amount of leaf needed for organic senchas compared to regular senchas? I think Yuuki-cha recommends 6 grams per 2 ounces water for their organic sencha. Seems like a lot of leaf.

[Tead Off]

What kind of difference are you seeing in the amount of leaf needed for organic senchas compared to regular senchas? I think Yuuki-cha recommends 6 grams per 2 ounces water for their organic sencha. Seems like a lot of leaf.

They recommend 6g in 150ml water. Seems normal to me.

[Smells_Familiar]

What kind of difference are you seeing in the amount of leaf needed for organic senchas compared to regular senchas? I think Yuuki-cha recommends 6 grams per 2 ounces water for their organic sencha. Seems like a lot of leaf.

yeah, wow! i'd say start with 1g:1oz.

to each his/her own, but i'd be searching for another source if my org sencha needed a 2g leaf/1oz h2o ratio.

[t4texas]

I just checked the instructions I got with the Organic Uji Gokujo Sencha. Says 6 grams to 60 ml at 140F for 2 minutes first infusion. Second infusion the same. Third infusion - more water, hotter water and shorter infusion time. Describes this as "slightly" different from preparing other Senchas.