Official what GREEN are you currently drinking?

[sherubtse]

I'd go for this one first without hesitation. That one is not far from being my favourite too... Many beautiful teas from my point of view.

Thanks for the suggestions, David R. The ones you have pointed out are fine choices indeed. Fuka-s both -- just the thing!

Best wishes,
sherubtse

[miginaustria]

On my second session with O-cha's Organic Kagoshima "Gold" Sencha. Full of nuance and definitely unique in the path it treads.

[NOESIS]

Sencha Hosen late morning session, now on my first cup of Gyokuro Ippoen. I've come to the conclusion that I really enjoy teas from Ippodo. Both teas brewed in a new 120ml kyusu from Shimizu Ken (reduction fired). Excellent results so far. No doubt that aftertaste is noticeably strengthened.

[iannon]

I'd go for this one first without hesitation. That one is not far from being my favourite too... Many beautiful teas from my point of view.

I have had some of Hiruma's teas..both "regular" sencha and the micro-fermented. all very nice! and then his hand rolled..wow. I have always gotten mine directly from him though..never saw anyone else carrying his until this.

[sencha]

I'm currently drinking Stash's plain bagged green tea, but I'm hoping soon to get some loose leaf tea again (my budget is really tight and I can't always afford loose leaf). It tastes okay (and I actually kind of like it), but it seems to lack the depth that I've noticed loose leaf teas have. Better than nothing I guess.

[Cole]

Sorry I missed your response, Sherubtse! Shinobicha is my inspiration for trying Thes du Japon, as he had some incredible reviews of their teas over at steepster (so I'd PM him!). I'm getting the Kagoshima sencha that David linked to (glad to hear it's awesome! ), as well as some Ureshino tamaryokucha and microoxidized sencha that sounds like it will be delightful. I'll let you know when I taste 'em!

Also, Noesis -- you remind me that I need to save up for shipping from Ippodo! I've been dying to try their Sencha Hosen, Kumpo, and Gyokuro Rimpo for months now. Have you tried their Iri-Bancha? Next order, I suppose...

[sherubtse]

Sorry I missed your response, Sherubtse! Shinobicha is my inspiration for trying Thes du Japon, as he had some incredible reviews of their teas over at steepster (so I'd PM him!). I'm getting the Kagoshima sencha that David linked to (glad to hear it's awesome! ), as well as some Ureshino tamaryokucha and microoxidized sencha that sounds like it will be delightful. I'll let you know when I taste 'em!

Thanks for the response, Cole!

Yes, I have been following Shinobicha's tasting notes on Steepster with much interest. (Yours too, I might add.) When my present stock gets a little lower, I'll be ordering from ToJ -- some fuka-s, and maybe one of those enticing blacks Florent has. Please keep me (us) posted about your experiences with his teas.

Best wishes,
sherubtse

[Chip]

Xell's Guricha ... could this be a fukamushi guricha?!? The dry leaf particles and wet in the pot behave like a fuka. While the brew is very reminiscent in appearance to fuka. This must be more steamed than any other guri I have sampled.

That said, the Tokujo and the Gokujo grades of Xell's guri have likely been the most veggie and enjoyable I have had.

What say you ... Gokujo Tamaryokucha (guricha) (?)fukamushi(?) ...

In realiTea, it is greener and murkier than this appears ...


Classic fuka, how it looks and behaves even though this was a pretty careful pour.

[sherubtse]

Am presently drinking O-Cha's Chiran sencha. Once I nailed the brewing temp. ( 60 deg.) and times (1 min / 1min / 5+min.) it turned out to be a real delight. Has fuka-like tasting traits, so it may substitute for a "real" fuka if one's funds are low.

Best wishes,
sherubtse

[AdamMY]

Organic Kagoshima Asamushi Sencha, form o-cha really hitting the spot, a bit mild but still has lots of flavor.

[Ill-literate]

Organic Kagoshima Asamushi Sencha, form o-cha really hitting the spot, a bit mild but still has lots of flavor.

I enjoyed this one aswell, although I had to increase my usual brewing parameters to achieve the desired strength. I suppose that is normal for organic asa?

unfortunately I am dry at the moment, and have been for a few weeks. Finally got some credit card issues sorted out and am eagerly awaiting some YM (which is my favourite as of yet), Kagoshima Gold (I tried the silver, was a little mild for my tastes, hoping gold is more bold), Miyazaki "Sakimidori" (probably my second favourite, an amazing value, and so full of flavor for an organic), and the newly revised Organic Matcha Iri Genmaicha (have only tried this kind of tea once, not from O-Cha and liked it very much).

[Tead Off]

Organic Hoshino Sencha from Yuuki-Cha. I like this even more than their Yabe Supreme! It is a medium steamed Yame tea of Yabukita leaves that have been covered for the last 7 days with a dark netting to give sweetness. It's delicious and has deep flavor.

Uh-oh, big mistake. I just realized this is not the Hoshino sencha but the Shimofuri sencha that I was referring to. Sorry for any confusion!

[shinobicha]

Sorry I missed your response, Sherubtse! Shinobicha is my inspiration for trying Thes du Japon, as he had some incredible reviews of their teas over at steepster (so I'd PM him!). I'm getting the Kagoshima sencha that David linked to (glad to hear it's awesome! ), as well as some Ureshino tamaryokucha and microoxidized sencha that sounds like it will be delightful. I'll let you know when I taste 'em!

Yes, I have been following Shinobicha's tasting notes on Steepster with much interest. (Yours too, I might add.) When my present stock gets a little lower, I'll be ordering from ToJ -- some fuka-s, and maybe one of those enticing blacks Florent has. Please keep me (us) posted about your experiences with his teas.

Best wishes,
sherubtse

Thanks guys.

I've broken open the last bag of teas from TDJ (that I haven't yet tried)... their Sencha Sofu cultivar. I will put a review up (on Steepster) soon, once I've had a chance to get a good idea about it.

[Stentor]

Drinking the last bits of O-Cha's 2010 Organic Shizuoka Sencha 7132. I'm guessing this will be the last I taste of this cultivar's unique flavour in a long time.
It's a little sad, but hey, there's a variety of great sencha out there so I'll get over it.

I have seen other 7132 offerings but they were about three times as expensive and not organic. If I remember correctly, the O-Cha one was kind of a bargain on top of being very good.
Is no one in Kagoshima growing this?

eagerly awaiting some YM (which is my favourite as of yet), Kagoshima Gold (I tried the silver, was a little mild for my tastes, hoping gold is more bold)

Have you had a chance to try the Gold? It's my favorite tea for 2011 so far. It would be nice to know what you think of the Gold compared to the Silver.

[Ill-literate]

Have you had a chance to try the Gold? It's my favorite tea for 2011 so far. It would be nice to know what you think of the Gold compared to the Silver.

Yes, just had some today. I am really enjoying it so far. I find that it's similar to the Silver in it's taste profile, but perhaps more pronounced with less chance of "off" tastes. Also, it seems to retain more flavor over multiple steeps (I always do 4-6). All this is enough to warrant the price difference, IMO. I will continue to purchase. Pictured is the first steep.