First O-Cha Purchase

[depravitea]

Lately I'm becoming more and more interested in sencha. I've had the senchas from Adagio, and really like them, but I'm looking to branch out a bit more.
I always see you guys talking about O-Cha, and mourning your empty bags and tins, so I've decided to put an order in on Friday. I'm just wondering if there are any opinions on which sencha would be good to start with? I can probably spend $20-$25, and rigid steeping rules do not intimidate me!

Suggestions?

[Chip]

Chiran, Fukamushi Supreme, Yutaka Midori, Kabuse, Sae Midori. These are all in your range or less before shipping. I like to buy 2 sencha in order to save a bit on shipping per bag (you can cold store your spare bag like all the kool kids are doing!)

I have not tried any of the new organics, but some possibilities there as well.

[Victoria]

I am a total green tea newbie and it has been a challenge for me to say the least. But the Sae Midori was easy for me to brew and I got it right the first try. It has been really popular, getting good reviews by most who try it from what I have read. I just bought a second bag, so that should tell you something. I highly recommend it.

[Ed]

Fukamushi Supreme. It's liquid leaf!

[depravitea]

Chip, when you say cold store, do you mean the freezer or fridge?

[Chip]

Chip, when you say cold store, do you mean the freezer or fridge?

I mean the "TeaFridge" of course.
The fridge, away from odors and moisture. I have heard of some vendors and people freezing their tea as well. In fact, I believe "aracha" which is the precursor to sencha is often frozen well below freezing.

[depravitea]

Alas, I have but one fridge. lol
Something to look into for the future though.
Typically I place my tea in a cabinet, sans spices, sans sunlight, and inside airtight containers/tins/bags, except pu erh of course, which is only in the wrapper it arrived in.
Yutaka Midori is something I've seen talked about often on this site, but I see you and Ed listed Fukamushi Supreme first. Is this because it's the first choice?

[Chip]

YM is my fave sencha over the last 4 years. Very good IMHO. O-Cha's FS is excellent. TBH, The Chiran was the best value tea I had in the 2008 harvest, have not had it this harvest yet.

I find it hard to rank them since all the ones I listed I enjoy. Depends on my mood.

Sae Midori and Kabuse are the more mild on this list and are certainly good for anyone new to Japanese tea.

[Mrs. Chip]

YM is my fave sencha over the last 4 years. Very good IMHO. O-Cha's FS is excellent.
Sae Midori and Kabuse are the more mild on this list and are certainly good for anyone new to Japanese tea.

Being married to the MOD, green is of course first choice of tea in our house! So I started out with greens and, once I tried YM ... well it was all over for me!
It is def my fave, altho' gyo runs a very close second.

Although I like the flavors of Sae Midori and Kabuse, and as Chip stated "good for newbies" to Japanese greens, YM has them beat by a mile in my book.

[Cinnamon Kitty]

Fukamushi Supreme. It's liquid leaf!

Seconded, if you like strong greens.

[depravitea]

I think I'm going to give the Yutaka Midori a go. From the ratings on O-Cha and from what you've all suggested I think I'll also try the Fukamushi Supreme, but that'll have to wait until next pay. I appreciate all the info. Thanks everyone.

[depravitea]

PAYDAY!

First O-Cha order placed for Kagoshima Sencha Yutaka Midori!
Thanks again for all the suggestions. I'll let you know what I think of it.

[Chip]

I am sure we are all eagerly awaiting your impressions of Yutaka Midori.

Do you have a kyusu? With a Fukamushi, you should have a kyusu. If not you should be thinking how you will brew it now so when it arrives you are ready.

[chefmike]

Good choice. YM is also my personal fave. You'll love it

[Sam.]

I just placed my first O-Cha order as well. I bought a full set of matcha-stuffs with the matcha starter kit and then two senchas, the Chiran and the daily.