Green teas and Matcha for a newbie.

[Sleepytiger]

I've been reading this forum a bit since last summer.

As much as Teavana seems to get a bad wrap, the good thing it does is serve as a gateway to enjoying loose tea. I've gone from drink no tea at all, because I hated the taste of it (Had only black tea in the past), to really enjoying tea.

One tea that I have found myself really enjoying, though, is just a green tea that I picked up from Costco. From it's description it is a Sencha with a bit of Matcha. (Of course, I assume it is not going to be a good Matcha, since we are talking about a tea in a bag.)

I tried something from Teavana that was a mix of Kukicha and Matcha, and I prefer my Costco tea bags for a basic green tea.

I figure that if I like this particular tea, that there should be something that tastes better. I'm on my quest for an even better green tea.

I see lots of green tea terms floating around this forum that mean nothing to me.

At this point, I've considered a green tea sampler from Adagio.

I've also considered perhaps trying Matcha. From a bit of searching on this forum, I've considered a matcha starter kit from O-cha.

Does anyone have any recommendations on where I should start?
Is there any cheat sheet around that explains differences of green tea types?

Thanks,
Tammy

[AdamMY]

Alright well it sounds like you want to start with Japanese Greens. Matcha tends to have a high start cost but a very cost effective way seems to be a starter kit like the ones O-Cha offers. as it is typically good to get a Chasen, if not also a Chawan and a Chasaku.

O-cha is also a good place to explore various other Japanese greens. And you might want to check the Kyusu thread if you want to go that route, I hear Japanese greens can turn very messy when attempting to brew them in a non semi traditional manner.

[LauraW]

I've not ordered from either of these vendors yet, but based on good words I've heard about both, I definitely intend to:

O-cha - especially for the starter kit. I was looking on their site a couple days ago and it's 10% off when you get the kit... Not a bad way to start out, especially if you're still exploring (I just need to find the extra $$ to pick it up)
Den's - I've heard good things, and their website gives really nice instructions and information, especially for Japanese green teas (matcha and otherwise).

[Sleepytiger]

Yes, it is the Japanese Greens that I'm currently interested in exploring.

It's because I'm finding a basic green tea to be what I go for daily.

Second, I've been happy with the herbals, rooibus, and flavored greens/whites I've had from Teavana. I also just tried a wonderful Oolong from there. Because of that, I don't feel I need to explore other teas besides the greens.

Yes, if I decide on a Matcha from O-cha, it will be the entire kit for 10% off.

Thanks,
Tammy

[iheartea]

[quote="Sleepytiger"]I've been reading this forum a bit since last summer.

As much as Teavana seems to get a bad wrap, the good thing it does is serve as a gateway to enjoying loose tea. I've gone from drink no tea at all, because I hated the taste of it (Had only black tea in the past), to really enjoying tea.


Funny you mention Teavana . . . some friends of mine gave me a beautiful tea from there (blend of Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearls and Lavender Dreams) in a very, very beautiful brightly-colored washi paper-covered tea tin and it was the start of my tea adventures! I feel like Alice in Wonderland and it opened up a whole new world! I love them for it!

When I traveled to Houston on business, I stopped by the Teavana store in the Houston Galleria and bought a matcha set and continue to drink it daily. I know the store is very pricey compared to my newly-found green tea sources, but I owe it to that store for the pleasure tea brings me today.

[iannon]

If you like the sencha/matcha combo you could give Den's Sencha extra green a try. Den's is also a good place to pick up a "starter" kyusu. At 19 bucks I hear you cant beat 'em. durable and glazed too so versatile for testing out different types of tea's

[debunix]

denstea also sells a nice sampler for first time buyers that was very helpful for me.

[pb2q]

Is there any cheat sheet around that explains differences of green tea types?

Nice flash graphic family tree of Japanese green tea types here.

And a Japanese green tea glossary here.