Everyday Sencha

[T-Bill]

I am a new member, and I have a question:

My everyday sencha is Hibiki-an Sencha Superior. It is slightly under $15 per 100 gm, is first flush, and I like it reasonably well.

Can you recommend something else in this general price range that I might like? I would like to try something from O-Cha, but they don't seem to offer much in this price range. Their everyday is less, but not a first flush tea. Then they seem to jump to the low to mid-$20 range. Looks like what they have in the $15 range is typically a blend, which would be fine, but I am not familiar with blends. I like more intense green tea flavors, and don't mind some astringency. What I would like to avoid is dilute, washed-out flavors.

Thanks,
Bill

[Chip]

Welcome T-Bill to TeaChat.

Since you asked about O-Cha. For a few dollars more than 15, the Chiran is really quite nice. It is Yutaka Midori tea varietal. And it is first flush. It is available as "shincha" right now. If you want to order another, the Oku Yutaka would serve as a good intro to organics and is also shincha.

Japanese greens are blended quite frequently, do not view this negatively. It is mostly done to produce a consistant flavor profile from year to year.

[mbishop]

Since you asked about O-Cha. For a few dollars more than 15, the Chiran is really quite nice. It is Yutaka Midori tea varietal. And it is first flush. It is available as "shincha" right now. If you want to order another, the Oku Yutaka would serve as a good intro to organics and is also shincha.

I can attest to this, just got my Chiran Shincha a couple days ago, and it is very good, especially for the price!

[T-Bill]

Thanks, folks.

I will order the Chiran Shincha.

Is there another vendor who offers a good value in an every day sencha? I want to try O-Cha, but I am certainly open to other sources.

Bill

[Chip]

Keep in mind, cost for very good sencha might be higher, but it is often a better value due to more steeps and more enjoyment derived. You can also do smaller steeps. An inexpensive sencha, I might brew 200 ml (6.8 ounces) while a very good one I might brew 120 ml (4 ounces)

You could check out our TeaVendor Guide for Japanese teas here: http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=11556

There is a never ending variety of teas to try, literally. I try to establish a list of favorite vendors and do up 60% of my business with them, the other 40% is for expanding horizons and always being open to try new vendors and teas.

My current (and fairly objective since I try A LOT of japanese teas) fave 5 for Japanese greens that is always in a state of flux: O-Cha, Zencha, Den's, Maiko, Ippodo.

I am also sampling/ordering from these vendors especially for shincha: Maeda-en, Ryu Mei, Rishi, Yuuki Cha, Hibiki-an, GreenTeaLovers.

And the third wrung includes Kaburagien, Sugimoto, GreenTeaJapan, Ito-en, Umami Chaya ... and more and more and more ... plus I am looking intently at Adagio in hopes they step up to the plate with a shincha or sencha worthy of their Master's Collection.

[bambooforest]

Right now Maiko's standard shincha is only about 13.50 a bag. That might be a good option, at least while it's available. But it's very vegetal and it's asamushi, so you'd have to enjoy those qualities.

[brlarson]

I was pleasantly surprised by Hibiki-an's sencha superior. It's a good modestly priced everyday tea.

Zencha's Yame Sencha Moe is another good everyday tea at $12.90 per 100grams with shipping included in the price.

I haven't yet tried O-Cha's Chiran but it has many TC fans.

Sugimoto's Sen Cha Loose Leaf in Tin (formerly Sencha Experience) is also good but slightly more expensive at $17 per 80 grams.

Cheers!

Bruce

[iannon]

Zencha's Yame Sencha Moe is another good everyday tea at $12.90 per 100grams with shipping included in the price.
Cheers!
Bruce

+1 on the Zencha.. it probably wont wow you with staying power but its a nice price point for sure when you take into acct the free shipping. I ordered it twice last year