Best Japanese Teas

[Oni]

By the way I know a place that imports too, but trust me if you order from them directly from their site you`ll come out much cheaper, it is worth a try.
http://www.marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp/english

[Ritva]

Have you ordered from Marukyu Koyamaen?

Not directly, I know a place that imports it though.

Pentox, have you tried their teas? Their website that Oni posted looks really interesting. They have lots of differents sorts (or grades) of tea, some that I've never heard of like Jinko (Mecha): "This tea is made from small fresh leaves which become round like grain during processing of various teas. It has a characteristic strong taste and easily makes several infusions." http://www.marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp/engli ... ds_05.html
Has anyone tried jinko/mecha? Did you like it? What about Koikuchi: "strong flavoured Sencha. Compared to regular Sencha, this tea has a characteristic nice aroma and strong taste." http://www.marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp/engli ... ds_04.html Is it fukamushi or what do you think it means?

[Chip]

A lot can happen in a few hours around here.

Interesting question, but TBH, I don't know if I want to answer quite yet. I almost hate to go down a list and determine the superlative of each. I can say the best tea I have had this year is Yutaka Midori from O-Cha without hesitation and generally speaking. I try to not make things too black and white across such a broad spectrum, lest I start to under appreciate the lesser ones which are quite good as well.

Thing is, as I wrote in TeaDay yesterday, I just have not had a terrible tea this whole harvest and would not want to think less of so many teas which I fear I would. Which is another thing, this changes as the harvest changes, and even within the harvest itself as teas begin to age.

[Chip]

Marukyu-Koyamaen, I have been watching this site routinely lately. It is an example of the Japanese market opening up more and more to international trade, cannot be a bad thing, IMHO.

They do have some interesting offerings and appear to sell the same items to us as to the Japanese market.

Earlier this year I was able to sample Techa from Harney and Sons. It is very difficult to brew because the leaf is not rolled, but left light and flat and refuses to sink. I liked the flavor, but realized I would not want to brew this stuff. But the Marukyu-Koyamaen offered some insight,

Eatable thin leaves (Tencha)
These thin leaves are actually the final stage of the tea leaves before grinding them into Matcha.
They are called Tencha. We select these tea leaves by their bright colour and softness.
You can enjoy the fragrance and flavour of Matcha, when you sprinkle them on the rice for Chazuke, Chameshi or other foods.

I enjoy cooking with tea, mostly matcha, and I can see myself buying techa for this purpose, I bet it is crazy good

[Oni]

The japanese teamarkets opening to the west means that they are consuming less of their own tea and the hectic japanese lifestyle doesn`t allow them to sit down relax and drink tea, anyway I am happy that I can buy japanese tea and teaware. And marukyu - koyamaen was on my list of must try, but this year I didn`t get the chance, if someone decides to order try Gyokuro Shiun, I read it won a tea competition in shanghai, if the chinese loved it, it must good.

[Buzz Fledderjohn]

I bought some Marukyu-Koyamaen matcha when I was in Kyoto last year.

I was at the Isetan department store (that's right, matcha at the department store) and they had a glass counter full of matcha...but I couldn't read any of it, only the prices. The two girls behind the counter did not speak any English (if they did, they hid it well) and my Japanese at the time was not very good. The had a couple of tins on display on the counter so I thought, those must be good...or special...if they are on display. So, I bought one.

Anyway, long story short... It ended up being a tin of Tsubokiri which is a fall seasonal blend. It was very good. I've also had the Eiju which I liked a lot. Award winning matcha from Japan? How can you go wrong?

[Salsero]

By the way I know a place that imports too, but trust me if you order from them directly from their site you`ll come out much cheaper, it is worth a try.
http://www.marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp/english

I don't see any buttons for a shopping cart. How do you order from them? I am really curious about the jinko/mecha and Koikuchi that Ritva mentions.

Just as you say, Oni, the prices are very modest.

[chamekke]

FWIW, my tea sensei usually buys from Koyamaen. (Mind you, she buys in person when in Japan!)

[Space Samurai]

I have had some of the matcha from Marukyu Koyamaen that I purchased through third parties (Matcha Source, Teance). The quality of the matcha was comparable to the price.

[Pentox]

http://www.marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp/english

I don't see any buttons for a shopping cart. How do you order from them? I am really curious about the jinko/mecha and Koikuchi that Ritva mentions.

Just as you say, Oni, the prices are very modest.[/quote]

You have to formulate your order and email/fax it to them. It's not a very common process for them I think.

[Pentox]

Pentox, have you tried their teas? Their website that Oni posted looks really interesting. They have lots of differents sorts (or grades) of tea, some that I've never heard of like Jinko (Mecha): "This tea is made from small fresh leaves which become round like grain during processing of various teas. It has a characteristic strong taste and easily makes several infusions." http://www.marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp/engli ... ds_05.html
Has anyone tried jinko/mecha? Did you like it? What about Koikuchi: "strong flavoured Sencha. Compared to regular Sencha, this tea has a characteristic nice aroma and strong taste." http://www.marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp/engli ... ds_04.html Is it fukamushi or what do you think it means?

I've tried a few of their teas, but not too many. I've tried the Takaragi sencha and that was quite good. I plan on getting a bit more of their regular leaf teas when my current stockpiles dwindle down some. Unfortunately the company I know that imports from them does not pull in the full line, and not much of the top end stuff. I may have to send in an order to them.

As far as mecha I haven't tried it yet, but I have a bag of it from Den's on my to try list.

[Oni]

You need to click on the Inquiries and comments, you write them an e-mail, they will kindly answer that it is possible, but you need to communicate personal data and credit card information via fax, it looks like this>
Thank you very much for your inquiry of 12 July.

It is possible to send you directly.

If you place order from us directly, our condition is as follows

Is the address of "Area 1" your address?

(Please let us know your phone number or fax number for delivery document.)



1. [The way of freight]

We use EMS (Express Mail Service).

A freight cost is a weight system.



2.[Payment Term]

Card:Visa or Master:

a) Kinds of cards VISA or Mastercard

b) Exp Date, Example : 2003.03 --- 2004.04 (No!! 03/03 --- 04/04)

c) Card Holder’s name

d)Credit number

Please be sure to send the above information by FAX !!

(You must not tell number by e-mail, or you will be embezzled your credit card’s number!)

Our FAX Number :81-774-28-2288

And please let us know “You sent Fax.” via e-mail.



Please do not hesitate to ask should there be some other way in which we could be of assistance.



Sincerely,



----------------------
MARUKYU KOYAMAEN CO.,LTD
CLOSED: JULY.6,13,19,20,21,26,27
TEL +81(0)774-21-3151 / FAX +81(0)774-28-2288
E-mail: info@marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp
http://www.marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp



I haven`t tried them yet, but i have tried Horaido teashop and they work the same way, I was very satisfied with Horaido.

[Salsero]

You need to click on the Inquiries and comments ... I haven`t tried them yet, but i have tried Horaido teashop and they work the same way, I was very satisfied with Horaido.

Thanks for the warning. I will be looking for their reply to my note.

[Chip]

No Pay Pal? That would simplify it a little anyway.

[edkrueger]

Everybody knows the 3 category bancha, sencha, gyokuro and matcha.

But not everyone knows how to count.