First Matcha Experience

[Maitre_Tea]

So...I had my first Matcha experience. I had ordered a Chawan from Rikyu and everyone else from Yuuki-Cha. I even bought a Chakin, and it's surprisingly stiff for a piece of fabric. My order from Yuuki-Cha came today, but my Chawan hasn't Ironically, I did regular air mail on the Yuuki-Cha order and EMS on my Chawan...

Being a little impatient and curious, I decided to have my first Matcha experience in a rice bowl. Fitting, since the first Chawan were rice bowls. I preheated the Chawan and swished my Chasen around in it. I took it out and dried it with the Chakin. I then sifted about two scoops of powder into a sifter, and sifted it into the bowl. I used about 120 ml of water (it was about 160 F I think). I whisked vigorously, but I was afraid that I would damage the whisk. I followed the guide at Tea Nerd, and I whisked in a "W" or "M" motion, using my wrist. I did this until it was frothy with bubbles on top.

The flavor was unusual, to say the least. Thank God it wasn't too bitter, because that would've meant the temperature was off. It was very creamy, very...flavorful. Not as bitter as I thought it would be, and with some sweetness.

So, the reason for the lengthy description? Did I do everything right? For some reason I think I was doing something wrong. Should I be worried about whisking too hard and damaging the Chasen? Am I using too much water, or too much powder? Since I can't search past when TeaChat changed format, please help this newbie out.

PS: Matcha powder gets everywhere. The Matcha was in a darn foil bag in the can, and opening the foil bag just made the Matcha fly EVERYWHERE. I think I probably wasted at least a session of Matcha in doing that
PPS: I did this like 15 minutes ago, and I did two sessions...and wow, I am jazzed up right now!

[Geekgirl]

heehee, two bowls of matcha right out of the gate. Whoooooooo!

The only thing I would say is that I do not care for the Yuuki-cha matcha. It's too bold for me, I prefer the smoother and milder matchas, such as the offerings from Ippodo, Ippuku and there are a couple I like from my local Uwajimaya.

Also, I usually make mine at about 145 deg because I am a heat wimp. But I think it does tend to make a milder brew at that temperature.

[Victoria]

Don't worry, your chasen can handle it!! Empty that messy bag into the can!

I think Den's Matcha Miyabi is my favorite, creamy and sweet. And super fast delivery here in CA.

Yeah, it will wire you up - remember you are getting the whole leaf, not just
an infusion.

Party on!

[Maitre_Tea]

I'm beginning to think that Matcha is the crack of the tea-world. I just had a third bowl of Matcha, and I love how it's making me feel all tingly and giddy. I emptied the matcha from the bag into the can, and proceeded to lose some Matcha there alos....

I think the third time was the charm. I enjoyed some really nice creaminess, and a pungent grassy flavor that came upfront...*sigh* I can't wait for my chawan to get here so I can have the whole authentic experience.

Maybe I'll have a fourth cup....
Can someone die from overdose on this stuff?

[Sam.]

haha I hope my experience when my stuff arrives in a few weeks is as good as this!

[woozl]

Duude, I hope you,re not planning on sleeping tonight

[iannon]

cool stuff..so which matcha from Yuuki cha did you get? i have had 3 different Matchas lately from 3 different vendors trying to find my go-to. I had the Organic Uji Matcha Yuuki Midori from Yuuki, Den's Matcha Miyabi and Zecha's Yame Matcha Sansui. I have found I like the Yuuki Uji the least of the 3 with the Zencha Yame matcha being my favorite.

[Maitre_Tea]

cool stuff..so which matcha from Yuuki cha did you get? i have had 3 different Matchas lately from 3 different vendors trying to find my go-to. I had the Organic Uji Matcha Yuuki Midori from Yuuki, Den's Matcha Miyabi and Zecha's Yame Matcha Sansui. I have found I like the Yuuki Uji the least of the 3 with the Zencha Yame matcha being my favorite.

I got the Uji Matcha Yuuki Midori. It was listed on their site as their "best-selling" Matcha so I was a little curious. I've read on some threads here that the Yuuki Midori can be a little bitter...didn't seem that way to me.

I have a pretty good caffeine tolerance, and this was the first time in about 8 years I have been affected by tea or coffee.

[iannon]

cool stuff..so which matcha from Yuuki cha did you get? i have had 3 different Matchas lately from 3 different vendors trying to find my go-to. I had the Organic Uji Matcha Yuuki Midori from Yuuki, Den's Matcha Miyabi and Zecha's Yame Matcha Sansui. I have found I like the Yuuki Uji the least of the 3 with the Zencha Yame matcha being my favorite.

I got the Uji Matcha Yuuki Midori. It was listed on their site as their "best-selling" Matcha so I was a little curious. I've read on some threads here that the Yuuki Midori can be a little bitter...didn't seem that way to me.

I have a pretty good caffeine tolerance, and this was the first time in about 8 years I have been affected by tea or coffee.

ok thats the same one i got. I liked it but I did like the dens and Zencha better. more sweet and buttery both which is what i tend to go for in my matchas it seems. you should give the Zencha a try..at 17 bucks for 20 g including shipping it was my fav at least

[guitar9876]

Ahh now I want some matcha! It's been too long! Last one I had was that one from Yuuki-cha. It can get horribly bitter if you use too much matcha, but still not too bad.

[Salsero]

What a great experience and a narrative to match! Thanks for sharing.

[Tead Off]

MT, Sounds like you are hooked. The first couple of times I tried matcha, I got nauseous. Literally made me very queasy. My wife felt this a bit, too. This was on an empty stomach or with little food in my system. Now, I can drink a couple of bowls without any problem but it doesn't wire me up at all. I haven't experienced any of that boost that you and others talk about. I have been using the Yuuki-Cha Yame Matcha which I find smooth, creamy, with a slightly nutty flavor and aroma. Very pleasant.

I bought a cheapo Chinese whisk which seems to work fine but I have no other experience with a more expensive Japanese made one. Curious if others feel the more expensive Japanese ones work better?

[xuancheng]

...I can drink a couple of bowls without any problem but it doesn't wire me up at all. I haven't experienced any of that boost that you and others talk about. ...

Try koicha

[Maitre_Tea]

I'm not joking when I said this stuff is addictive...
I just had my fourth cup of the day
I was thinking, "Should I? I mean it's kind of late and I should pace myself with this...But I could use the practice though."

I gave in

Used cooler water this time, and a little less Matcha, which turned out very nicely. I think I can accurately describe the flavor now, which I would describe as "tangy," or would it be described as being "grassy"? Very creamy and smooth, without any bitterness. I love the aftertaste and the mouth-feel of Matcha.

Ah yes, the caffeine rush sets in...

BTW, is there a daily limit to how many sessions one can do?

[JPX]

my first experience is gonna be in a couple of days.

i ordered ocha Uji Matcha "Kiri no Mori"
they said it was perfect for beginer. Im not expecting top flavor and creaminess but, i figured at that price it would be a good try.

its also rated high and comes from uji (im sticking to county i know lol).

what do you think?