Official what GREEN are you currently drinking?

[bambooforest]

Only went 6 steeps this time, each one sweet yet different, then enjoyed eating the leaves.

Tea cannibalism. This is disturbing to say the least.

[Stentor]

Early afternoon with Yamashita's Gyokuro Takumi:

(1st infusion)

Only having it for the second time ever. I'm still getting to know it. It's certainly very intense, with a neverending aftertaste.

then enjoyed eating the leaves

I tried that yesterday with a little bit of soy sauce. It's quite pleasant, actually. The leaves are so soft! I might need a little bit of rice with it though. Recipes are welcome!!
Also, if anyone happens to have a nice recipe for Chazuke with houjicha, go ahead!

[fnord]

@ Stentor: nice shiboridashi ! is it banko?
yamashita's takumi is very nice,i liked it a lot.did you order the sample pack?

I'm just enjoying my first shincha 2011.it's maiko's kinari,quite delicious,maybe a bit to soft for my taste,but i'll a have to make a few more sessions with it to finally rate it.

[Stentor]

@ Stentor: nice shiboridashi ! is it banko?
yamashita's takumi is very nice,i liked it a lot.did you order the sample pack?

Thank you! The shiboridashi is by Hokujo (Tokoname). Due to the light reflection, it does appear a little purple in this image, so I can see how you might think that it's Banko. It's actually more of a red-brown in reality.

I got the gyokuro from a German vendor who has a personal relationship with Yamashita and Maiko. He sells it in small quantities (3 x 8g).

[shinobicha]

Stentor, do you mean this guy:
http://www.maiko.ne.jp/english/story/gy ... tory12.htm
Scroll down a bit (Dr. Ralph Faerber)?
He is their customer service for international sales and is very helpful!

Until I receive my shipment from O-cha and Sugimoto America, I'm drinking Shincha Kunpu (asamushi) and Houryoku (fukamushi) from Shirakata Denshiro Shoten. They are both excellent; the asamushi is very well balanced, and the Houryoku is very surprising for a fukamushi - it is light on the front end (it doesn't explode like you'd expect from a deep-steamed tea), but has an amazing, sweet aftertaste instead, which remains for a long time. That doesn't mean it has a weak taste, it's just not dark green and strong like Fukamushi Sencha Yame from Den's Tea (or, YM from O-cha, though I haven't had that one yet... soon though!).

I suppose this post might belong here http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=15611 too?

[puerhking]

I don't think there has been a mix up.
At least when comparing the one I had about a year ago to the one you have now. Sounds about like the same thing.

It did taste a little like kabusencha to me as well. A slight milkiness, leaf was darker, tasted slightly shade grown but then also tasted slightly bancha
Leaves lacked a certain freshness to them, and the reason why I said banchaish was because the leaf looked older and courser.

I still enjoyed its earthy kind of taste, but would rather get something else.

It appears as if you are correct. I talk to Den and he said that it does taste a bit like kabusecha but it is not shade grown. This is the most unique tasting sencha I have come across.

[Chip]

I don't think there has been a mix up.
At least when comparing the one I had about a year ago to the one you have now. Sounds about like the same thing.

It did taste a little like kabusencha to me as well. A slight milkiness, leaf was darker, tasted slightly shade grown but then also tasted slightly bancha
Leaves lacked a certain freshness to them, and the reason why I said banchaish was because the leaf looked older and courser.

I still enjoyed its earthy kind of taste, but would rather get something else.

It appears as if you are correct. I talk to Den and he said that it does taste a bit like kabusecha but it is not shade grown. This is the most unique tasting sencha I have come across.

It is Yutaka Midori breed which can certainly throw the taste buds for a loop. My recollection is that it is a pretty mild selection of YM, thus I can see the Kabuse reference.

[puerhking]

It is Yutaka Midori breed which can certainly throw the taste buds for a loop. My recollection is that it is a pretty mild selection of YM, thus I can see the Kabuse reference.

I have only tried O-Cha's YM and YM LE and I don't recall them having Kabuse flavors....however if I tried them now I might.

[NOESIS]

Hojicha from Ippodo. A very relaxing evening tea.

[Chip]

It is Yutaka Midori breed which can certainly throw the taste buds for a loop. My recollection is that it is a pretty mild selection of YM, thus I can see the Kabuse reference.

I have only tried O-Cha's YM and YM LE and I don't recall them having Kabuse flavors....however if I tried them now I might.

Definitely not. I don't think ...

[Kevangogh]

Had koicha today at Ippodo in Kyoto...

[brandon]

mingqian zheyeqing

[Stentor]

Is it just me, or does anybody else think Maiko's Sencha "Kamo" is ridiculously good for the price (regardless of price, actually)?
Let's see how I feel about it when my current infatuation with it passes, but right now I think this may become one of my all time favorites.

I feel like this has been shaded just a little bit. It is kind of mild, yet full bodied. Very refreshing. The liquor looks a little cloudy for an asamushi (given generous use of leaf).

I recommend it!

[AdamMY]

Just finished a session of Kanro Gyokuro from Ippodo. Yumm.

[AdamMY]

Had another wonderful session of O-cha's 7132, I hope they can get something comparable this upcoming year.