Re: 2012 Official Shincha Ordering Topic
I've only tried the 2011 YM, is the "original YM" significantly different than the 2011 YM? I was pleased by that one, but it didn't knock my socks off, so I'm wondering if I should try the 2012 offering? Thanks!
Apr 12th, '12, 08:13
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Re: 2012 Official Shincha Ordering Topic
Yes, it was not produced by the same company as 2010 and prior! This was due to the disasters in Japan. The tea is grown in Kagoshima, but there were other issues which made it not feasible for O-Cha to sell 2011 "classic" Yutaka Midori.beachape wrote:I've only tried the 2011 YM, is the "original YM" significantly different than the 2011 YM? I was pleased by that one, but it didn't knock my socks off, so I'm wondering if I should try the 2012 offering? Thanks!
O-Cha should have "classic" back for shincha.

Re: 2012 Official Shincha Ordering Topic
Thanks for the reply Chip. Do you think the "classic" is different enough from the 2011 version that I should give it another try? Or do you think the difference will only be subtle? Thanks!
Apr 12th, '12, 09:47
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Re: 2012 Official Shincha Ordering Topic
Anyone know if our buddy Xell (Hakoniwado Tea Shop) is offering anything this year? I don't know if it was a sencha from 2010 or 2011 from there, but it was incredible! 

Apr 12th, '12, 09:57
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Re: 2012 Official Shincha Ordering Topic
Welllll, we won't know lest we try it!beachape wrote:Thanks for the reply Chip. Do you think the "classic" is different enough from the 2011 version that I should give it another try? Or do you think the difference will only be subtle? Thanks!

And simply put, I feel O-Cha has had the first and the best YM available to the West, and I have tried many YM. The 2011 version from a different supplier was still pretty good, but it was not in the same league as the 2010 offerings (he offered 3 in 2010, YM classic, LE, and Chiran)
I expect the 2012 YM "classic" from O-Cha will be better than the 2011 alternate offering, but only time will tell!
Regardless, I am "all in!"

Apr 12th, '12, 10:01
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Re: 2012 Official Shincha Ordering Topic
I was actually discussing this with him not long ago, he will be offering shincha. I am particularly interested in whether the mid level 2012 guricha Tokujo will be as good as the 2011, this was the best guri I think I have had!Lerxst2112 wrote:Anyone know if our buddy Xell (Hakoniwado Tea Shop) is offering anything this year? I don't know if it was a sencha from 2010 or 2011 from there, but it was incredible!
Apr 12th, '12, 10:13
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Re: 2012 Official Shincha Ordering Topic
+3 ... can I vote 2X???Seeker wrote:+2Chesslover wrote:+1Chip wrote:YM from O-Cha would win hands down. Unless I heard from the owner that it is an off vintage for YM.
There are so many great shincha, this YM is the only absolute must have shincha for me.

YM classic is both a sentimantal fave and the best sencha taste wise ... for me. This was my real break out sencha after years of futile tastings of domestically offered sencha. It really blew my freakin' mind.sherubtse wrote:OK. So why is YM the only "absolute must have shincha" for you Chip? In other words, what makes this tea so special?Chip wrote:YM from O-Cha would win hands down. Unless I heard from the owner that it is an off vintage for YM.
There are so many great shincha, this YM is the only absolute must have shincha for me.
Thanks.
Best wishes,
sherubtse
Each year it is a little different, but it is still clearly "the classic" for me.
It was also the very first Kagoshima (and very first YM) that I could locate here in the West. I was instantly enamored by Kagoshima teas, there is something very different in how they approach sencha production ...
I like to call them the innovators, Uji are the traditionalists, Shizuoka are the producers for masses. These are generally the big 3 for me, though Yame is creeping in as well as Ureshino for specialty offerings.
Well, I would say there is a degree of truth to this. I think we are all hardwired a bit differently, including our senses, perceptions.Peacock wrote:Chip is predispositioned to be addicted to YM.
I think I am wired for sencha first, why else would I have continued to struggle with mediocre to bad sencha for years before I finally found sencha nirvana? I knew I liked sencha even though I knew most domestic sellers were bastardizing the availability.

Re: 2012 Official Shincha Ordering Topic
When I joined this forum four years ago asking for sencha/shincha recommendations, Chip insisted that I try O-Cha's YM...
I remember that first session I had with it absolutely blowing my mind!
I remember that first session I had with it absolutely blowing my mind!

Re: 2012 Official Shincha Ordering Topic
+1Jack_teachat wrote:When I joined this forum four years ago asking for sencha/shincha recommendations, Chip insisted that I try O-Cha's YM...
I remember that first session I had with it absolutely blowing my mind!
It is also by far my fave! And mindblowing to boot! Can you imagine drinkiing YM with the GreenTea/YM Master? That is indeed minbdblowing in itself!


Apr 12th, '12, 16:29
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Re: 2012 Official Shincha Ordering Topic
Hopes that it will be this particular YM that I'll be trying out. *wonders if I should place a double order. Is the non-shincha version of the same tea any different?Mrs. Chip wrote:+1Jack_teachat wrote:When I joined this forum four years ago asking for sencha/shincha recommendations, Chip insisted that I try O-Cha's YM...
I remember that first session I had with it absolutely blowing my mind!
It is also by far my fave! And mindblowing to boot! Can you imagine drinkiing YM with the GreenTea/YM Master? That is indeed minbdblowing in itself!![]()
Re: 2012 Official Shincha Ordering Topic
Nope, "Classic" YM is classic no matter what time of the year. 
Go for it!

Go for it!
Apr 12th, '12, 17:09
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Apr 12th, '12, 17:12
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Re: 2012 Official Shincha Ordering Topic
Chip wrote:... except the current offering is the replacement YM ...

Re: 2012 Official Shincha Ordering Topic
I have only tried the 2011 YM, and it is the best sencha I have ever had. Needless to say, I am more than excited to try the "Classic"!
Also, this will be my first shincha. 


Re: 2012 Official Shincha Ordering Topic
If its a good season for the "classic" YM I think I'll have to give it a try because it gets such good reviews here.