2010 Official Shincha Ordering Topic

[Chip]

I thought someone might have started the Official 2010 Shincha Ordering Topic by now. So, I guess I will do the honors this year.

In this topic we can discuss:

1. All things related to the upcoming Shincha
2. Vendors on our individual and forum-wide watch list for this year's Shincha
3. A "watch" for Shincha developments
4. What we are or have ordered for this Shincha
5. Past Shincha experiences as it relates to discussion of this Shincha
4. Other, any suggestions?
5. Oh, and alllll things related to the upcoming Shinchaaaaa!

Let the fun begin!

[AdamMY]

This is going to be my frist Shincha, last year I was into Chinese teas. I am probably only going to be ordering from two or three vendors.

But the real questions are,

Do Shincha's come in the various levels of steaming like regular sencha?

If yes does anyone have recommended vendors which sell more than one type of Asamushi Shincha?

I will probably also place an order from O-cha but I will probably hear a lot about their offerings so I'll just keep reading this thread.

[Chip]

Adam, often Shincha is processed a little differently and may have a higher moisture content ... either that or the higher moisture is just the nature of the beast. So, Shincha is different than non Shincha versions of the same tea.

However, there are all levels of steaming available. You mention O-Cha, they should have mulitple Asamushi offerings including Kirameki, a perenniel fave, and the newer organic Warashina, maybe more?

I am sure there will be lots of Asamushi from the traditionalist vendors such as Ippodo (oops, typically only offers one Shincha), Maiko. Also Den's, Hibiki-An, Rishi, and others.

There will be plenty of all steaming levels available. You have come into your enjoyment of Japanese teas at a good time.

[Mrs. Chip]

I thought someone might have started the Official 2010 Shincha Ordering Topic by now. So, I guess I will do the honors this year.

In this topic we can discuss:
4. What we are or have ordered for this Shincha
Let the fun begin!

Living in the same household with the Mr.Green ... well, you get it, Shincha talk gets top billing this time of year at our TeaTable, well TBH, lately anytime we are discussing tea!

However, I have yet to narrow him down as to what will be arriving at our home on the appropriate date .. so Chip, can you enlighten us as to what Shincha[s] you might be considering this year?

[Chip]

... I am not saying much quite yet!

I always try to include my personal Fave Five Vendors (which is always changing),
and then try to sample some other vendors and shincha that I have never tried.
Throw in some I want to retry ... and well, it gets complicated pretty quickly.

Then I try to figure it alll out at which point analysis paralysis sets in.

[iannon]

I am trying to not get too excited yet or go overboard either. I may try to get some of that small farmers organic handpicked i did last year..lots of umami there. not sure who else..of course i STILL havent ordered from O-cha yet....

[Abracadaver!]

I cannot wait until the Uji Shincha from Zencha is available... I've been dreaming about it since last year....

[brlarson]

FYI Y'all

Sugimoto has posted their seasonal pre-order. http://www.sugimotousa.com/cgi-bin/miva ... y_Code=SEA

Temomi is available, as is Hashiri Shincha and Hachiju Hachiya Shincha.

[iannon]

uh oh...ive been eying that since last year

[guitar9876]

TEMOMICHA!!! Hmmm... seems it's gone up $5 from last year...

[olivierco]

I didn't buy many different shincha last year. Shincha are interesting but their non shincha equivalents are great as well and not so different.
I had some Kirameki (Tsuen) and some from Ippodo and I guess it will be the same this year.

[puerhking]

A couple more pre-orders available:

http://maeda-en.com/store/productlist.php?teatype_id=90

http://www.kaburagien.co.jp/english/yoyaku/index.php

[guitar9876]

O-cha pre-orders are available.

[Chip]

O-cha pre-orders are available.

http://www.o-cha.com/shincha-green-tea/

[brian]

So, for a shincha first-timer, and also first order from o-cha ...

I've seen lots of recommendations here for the Yutaka Midori. Reading the description of the Sae Midori on the site it sounds like it would appeal to me: strong aroma, grassy, a bit on the sweet side. There's much less description of the YM.

Subjective question for those with experience with these two teas, are they different enough that it's worth getting both, or are they pretty similar in character? I don't mind if they're somewhat similar, just don't want to end up with two teas that will seem virtually identical to a newbie that can't pick out subtle differences. I'd love to hear some compare/contrast of these two.

Thanks!