Saturday TeaDay 2/27/10 Fave tea for February?

[Chip]

Perhaps I should have said Matcha, had great matcha in February. Next up, a Matcha tasting of Zencha's Kasumi from Yame enjoyed in a Cory Lum Chawan with Mrs. Chip. Lovely cocoa and dried fruit aroma.

Currently Houjicha ...

And Happy Birthday, Victoria!

[Victoria]

Thanks all for the birthday wishes! I had a fabulous day!
This new TeaArtisan cup By Fred Parker arrived just in time for my morning oolong.

[AdamMY]

Possibly a turning point for me, or possibly because its most of what I drink now, but the best tea for february was a Japanese Green.

It happened to be Wakamastu-no-mukashi from Ippodo.

It was delicious especially when made like koicha.

[brian]

I tried the sencha and genmaicha from dens. tried brewing several different ways/temps/times (also on different days, sometimes this affects whether i like a tea or not). Based on dens recomendations then recomendations on teachat. The genmaicha wasnt too bad, but no matter how i tried the sencha was always too bitter. I havent tried the Houjicha yet, have to finish one of my other samples so i will have a tin available. Maybe i just need to let my tastes develop before i will be able to appreciate the flavors. I am not giving up for good, just taking a break.

I've recently been through the Den's sampler as well. The Houjicha is a completely different animal, so don't let your sencha experience put you off the houjicha. I liked the houjicha sample so much that I ordered a bag of the houji-kukicha, and I'm in for a cup most evenings.

Good luck with the Japanese greens, I've either had a pretty good experience with them so far or maybe I just don't mind that I'm brewing bad tea It does seem pretty easy to go bitter, but short infusions and cooler temps seem to be working for me -- especially 2nd infusion, VERY quick. Den's current online guidelines seem to be pretty good for me, and like you, I read a lot of posts from more experience members.

I've only tried a few teas so far, but favorite for the month is probably the Sencha Extra Green (sencha + matcha) from Den's. Beautiful color, and I love the little extra sweetness in the first infusion from the matcha. The houjicha has been a nice surprise as well for a quick, simple evening cup.

[Cinnamon Kitty]

I tried Matcha for the first time this February, so that is currently topping my list of favorite teas beyond my standard, daily yet favorite black teas. The matcha was Den's Organic and what really did it for me was the shyrabbit chawan that I bought myself as an early birthday present. Sometimes, the vessel just makes the tea so much more awesome.

Happy belated birthday, Victoria!

[Victoria]

I tried Matcha for the first time this February, so that is currently topping my list of favorite teas beyond my standard, daily yet favorite black teas. The matcha was Den's Organic and what really did it for me was the shyrabbit chawan that I bought myself as an early birthday present. Sometimes, the vessel just makes the tea so much more awesome.

Happy belated birthday, Victoria!

Thanks CK, and I wholeheartedly agree.

[LauraW]

I went with oolong, partially because of the Wuyi that was my go-to tea for most of the month, and partially because of some oolong samples I've been trying for the last week or so - and really enjoying!

I've been enjoying my experiences with Japanese greens this month as well, but I anticipate a little more practice before I can really put it at the top as a "favorite" tea for the month. Speaking of, Seeker, matcha pics are still coming - I've been out of town the last couple days with no computer!

Wuyi today, ended up taking some with me so I'd have my daily tea!