Mind-blowing Matchas?

[olivierco]

So, you prefer Koicha? Do you prepare it thick or like an Usucha?

If it isn't thick it isn't Koicha.

[rdl]

So, you prefer Koicha? Do you prepare it thick or like an Usucha?

If it isn't thick it isn't Koicha.

olivierco, i am not sure tead off meant this but his question made me wonder if matcha suitable for koicha, but prepared as usucha is that much better than the matchas suitable only for usucha?
i've only had the latter.

[greentam]

man, if matcha is not mind blowing, I don't know what is. Obviously this is very subjective. But it is certainly "mind altering."

Not to mention all the cool "drug paraphernalia" that comes with it.

I love how there's the "paraphernalia"! I was thinking of buying from Ippodo, but I'm having a hard time rationalizing the price. Not to mention I'm without a whisk...at least not a bamboo one! I actually found some matcha in a box of spices the other day, that my step mother gave me, but alas! It expired in 2007.

[Elovitz]

So, you prefer Koicha? Do you prepare it thick or like an Usucha?

If it isn't thick it isn't Koicha.

olivierco, i am not sure tead off meant this but his question made me wonder if matcha suitable for koicha, but prepared as usucha is that much better than the matchas suitable only for usucha?
i've only had the latter.

I usually make koicha (super thick) and often I'll have a bit of it left over in the bowl and use it to make usucha. It might be a placebo kind of thing but usucha made with koicha grade stuff tastes amazing.

[Tead Off]

So, you prefer Koicha? Do you prepare it thick or like an Usucha?

If it isn't thick it isn't Koicha.

olivierco, i am not sure tead off meant this but his question made me wonder if matcha suitable for koicha, but prepared as usucha is that much better than the matchas suitable only for usucha?
i've only had the latter.

Yes, that was my meaning. thanks. I often need interpreting.

[Chip]

I believe that a koicha grade matcha, prepared as usucha, is generally going to taste better overall compared to a usucha grade prepared as such. Often much better.

[olivierco]

When you look at the list of different matcha available from Japanese shops (Ippodo or Marukyu-koyamaen for instance), there isn't any mention of specific matcha for koicha. Matcha has different grades which are all suitable for usacha and only the best grades are suitable for koicha

[Oni]

When you look at the list of different matcha available from Japanese shops (Ippodo or Marukyu-koyamaen for instance), there isn't any mention of specific matcha for koicha. Matcha has different grades which are all suitable for usacha and only the best grades are suitable for koicha

This is the truth, and they recomend that you enjoy their highest grade teas made in the "traditional way" meaning that you make a good thick koicha, and don`t mess around, that is the ultimate tea experience, it is like the tea yelling to you > " YOU AND ME, OUTSIDE, NOW", and you bring it on baby, because it will rock your world.

[Tead Off]

When you look at the list of different matcha available from Japanese shops (Ippodo or Marukyu-koyamaen for instance), there isn't any mention of specific matcha for koicha. Matcha has different grades which are all suitable for usacha and only the best grades are suitable for koicha

This is the truth, and they recomend that you enjoy their highest grade teas made in the "traditional way" meaning that you make a good thick koicha, and don`t mess around, that is the ultimate tea experience, it is like the tea yelling to you > " YOU AND ME, OUTSIDE, NOW", and you bring it on baby, because it will rock your world.

I have one of Ippodo's high grade matcha which they say is suitable for both for Koicha. This afternoon I tried it as Koicha. I'm sure I prepared it correctly as it matched the description of how it should be. Still, I tasted nothing like what some people describe. It was pleasant, very green, and gave me a very perceived 'boost', more so than usual (double the dose). What really did it for me was the manju I ate with it brought by a friend from Japan.

I'd love to be able to rave about matcha the way some of you do. I think I still like those little bubbles I get frothing in my raku chawan, though. All help is appreciated for this lost soul. All matcha donations will be drunk with thanks. Top grade only, please.

[olivierco]

I have one of Ippodo's high grade matcha which they say is suitable for both for Koicha.

Which one did you try?

[Tead Off]

I have one of Ippodo's high grade matcha which they say is suitable for both for Koicha.

Which one did you try?

Their special New Year's matcha.

[olivierco]

Ippodo sold New year's versions of their two best grades Ummon-no-mukashi and Wakamatsu-no-mukashi (aka Seiun) so you got the good stuff. As you prepared it according to Ippodo instructions you obtained koicha without any doubt.
I regularly drink koicha (using however one third of the tin so a little less than 7g each time). I wouldn't describe as hyperbolically as some people here do. Your description "very green and pleasant" is close to what I would use to describe koicha.

[Tead Off]

Ippodo sold New year's versions of their two best grades Ummon-no-mukashi and Wakamatsu-no-mukashi (aka Seiun) so you got the good stuff. As you prepared it according to Ippodo instructions you obtained koicha without any doubt.
I regularly drink koicha (using however one third of the tin so a little less than 7g each time). I wouldn't describe as hyperbolically as some people here do. Your description "very green and pleasant" is close to what I would use to describe koicha.

Seiun is the matcha I have. Do you usually drink koicha or do you vary with usucha? Certainly the kick from koicha is significant, but, at this point, I prefer my bubbly one.

[Oni]

I make single serving koicha with 4 heaping chasaku worth of matcha and 40 - 50 ml water, and you can chew it. I really hope that this years japanese tea won`t have nuclear radiation as an added bonus, I checked Uji, and Shizuoka, Yame, Kagoshima, are far away from Fukushima, so I am hoping for the best, I don`t want to buy a Geiger counter for my tea.

[tenuki]

I really like all the matcha I've ordered from Ippodo. Fortunately my mind blows very easily nowadays.