Organic Tea

[Maitre_Tea]

On another note, I'm starting on my matcha journey soon, and I was thinking of trying some of the organic matcha from Yuuki-Cha. What have been people's past experiences?

[iannon]

It is worth noting that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and l-theanine are desirable and are two of the reasons people drink tea for health benefits.

agreed..i didn't mention some of the other differences..just the couple that THEY say can effect the difference in flavors..according to this farmer his organic tea (on the "health" side) does have higher levels of vit c and SOD (antioxidant) so i guess there are theoretical trade offs on everything... *shrug*

[Ed]

Yeah, this is one of those areas where there just aren't enough scientific studies to know what to believe. The organic sencha I've gotten from Yuuki has exceeded my expectation of organic tea by far. But the non-organic packs a little extra punch in the flavor department still.

[Tead Off]

On another note, I'm starting on my matcha journey soon, and I was thinking of trying some of the organic matcha from Yuuki-Cha. What have been people's past experiences?

I have Yuuki's organic Yame matcha. It's good. Smooth with a slight nutty flavor. The Kago fukamushi Yutaka sencha is also good.

[Susana]

I was watching a video on Taiwanese tea not too long ago and there was one thing that really stuck out. From my understanding the Taiwanese government established a Taiwanese Tea Research & Extension station. The government is encouraging the practice of organic farming and water conservation to be able to help with the sustainability of the tea industry in the country. I think the Japanese helped instill this sense of organization in the industry when they occupied Taiwan.

It really made me smile to think that they are actually protecting and preserving the health of their soil, plants and most importantly people by educating their farmers.

What a concept! We should be so smart to educate our farmers here in the US about the dangers of monoculture, GMO's, pesticides and fertilizers. (that is another rant for another time! )

Currently sipping on Bai Hao oolong from Hsinchu county, amazing...

I wish I could visit the hills of Taiwan!

[TIM]

I was watching a video on Taiwanese tea not too long ago and there was one thing that really stuck out. From my understanding the Taiwanese government established a Taiwanese Tea Research & Extension station. The government is encouraging the practice of organic farming and water conservation to be able to help with the sustainability of the tea industry in the country. I think the Japanese helped instill this sense of organization in the industry when they occupied Taiwan.

It really made me smile to think that they are actually protecting and preserving the health of their soil, plants and most importantly people by educating their farmers.

What a concept! We should be so smart to educate our farmers here in the US about the dangers of monoculture, GMO's, pesticides and fertilizers. (that is another rant for another time! )

Currently sipping on Bai Hao oolong from Hsinchu county, amazing...

I wish I could visit the hills of Taiwan!

+1
The Taiwanese government / tea associations have been promoting green farming since the 70s. They have been bringing this knowledge to the China tea farmers since the late early 90s. Very Cool and forward thinking

[Salsero]

Meanwhile, in the US of A, with fuel ethanol made from corn, they have us competing with our cars for food!

[Chip]

Meanwhile, in the US of A, with fuel ethanol made from corn, they have us competing with our cars for food!

And genetically engineered corn ...

[Maitre_Tea]

So I took the plunge yesterday and ordered a bunch of stuff from Yuuki-Cha. I would've checked TeaChat to see what have been people's past experiences with Matcha from Yuuki-Cha, but the site was off-line and I couldn't wait for it to be fixed.

I ordered to Yuuki Midori, but I'm a little worried about the bitterness issue I think one thread brought up. It's their best-selling Matcha so I thought it would be much better than the Yame, which is why I ordered it (and the 10% off didn't hurt either )

I've already snooped around TeaChat for some helpful threads on making Matcha, but if anyone has some helpful advice/instructional videos, please help this matcha virgin out

[chefmike]

A week after I placed my first Yuuki-Cha order, it was in my mailbox today
Organic Yame Matcha, and Organic Kagoshima Sencha Magokoro, which I'm enjoying as I type. I know it's no shincha, but I could get real used to it until next May.

[beachape]

Have tried their matcha konjo and yame. I like to buy the 100gram konjo because it makes a great everyday matcha. Also check to see if they still sell starter sets on eBay. It has a wisk and scoop with the matcha

[Maitre_Tea]

So I've been having some mixed experience with brewing organic Sencha from O-Cha. I've been following their brewing instructions carefully, but something's off. The tea is almost too mellow/subtle, but maybe that's a characteristic of organic Sencha. I can't wait to sample some conventional Sencha to compare. I've been using approx. 6 grams of leaf for my 300 ml kyusu, which is what they suggest. Should I try to amp the amount, and if so, by how much?

[Chip]

So I've been having some mixed experience with brewing organic Sencha from O-Cha. I've been following their brewing instructions carefully, but something's off. The tea is almost too mellow/subtle, but maybe that's a characteristic of organic Sencha. I can't wait to sample some conventional Sencha to compare. I've been using approx. 6 grams of leaf for my 300 ml kyusu, which is what they suggest. Should I try to amp the amount, and if so, by how much?

I would personally try more leaf, approaching 1 gram leaf per ounce water. I have not tried these organics yet, but from what I have tried in organics, I definitely find that I need more leaf.

[Maitre_Tea]

I will try that; hopefully it'll turn out okay. I'm just scared of some bitter brew that will leave me sad. I've been drinking nothing but Sencha for this past week, and I've been taking copious notes and improving my technique. So far no mess-ups so I'm happy for that.

A little thing I found out, when I was running the names of tea through a translator to see what they meant, and "Yuuki" means organic in Japanese, so "Yuuki-Cha" is "Organic Tea." Of course, maybe that was something everyone (but me) knew about.

[Tead Off]

I didn't know that, so, that makes 2 of us.

I have the Yuuki fukamushi yutaka sencha. I use 6g per 120-140ml. 75c for 1min. 1st, 2nd 30-45sec. and keep going up. Some days I can get 5 pours.