Tencha Super Premium @ Hibiki-an

[ryan]

Anyone planning to order the Tencha Super Premium from Hibiki-an?

http://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info.p ... mbie5tiih7

It looks interesting but is pricey. Hibiki-an seems to trying a bunch "non traditional" offerings the last year or two (aged gyokuru... etc).

[Chip]

Not me ... I had tencha once, it is a pain to brew since the fluffy (non rolled like most Japanese teas) leaves just float, it is like brewing life preservers. The leaves were made to be ground into matcha, not brewed as loose leaf.

The profile is just like a gyokuro, I will stick with that.

[britt]

Not me ... I had tencha once, it is a pain to brew since the fluffy (non rolled like most Japanese teas) leaves just float, it is like brewing life preservers. The leaves were made to be ground into matcha, not brewed as loose leaf.

The profile is just like a gyokuro, I will stick with that.

I like the life preserver comparison. It is quite accurate.

However, I wouldn't necessarily avoid it. The only time I had it was when a vendor I had a minor problem with sent me some they purchased at a famous Japanese tea shop as an apology. I wasn't sure what to do with it, so I brewed it like regular sencha but with more leaf. It was light and refreshing, and others who tried it liked it a lot and wanted to know where to buy it. Unfortunately, it was not readily available.

I'm not planning on purchasing any of this from Hibiki-an not because I don't like tencha, but more because I don't care much for Hibiki-an or their high prices.

[Chip]

... or like brewing styro peanuts ...

When I had it, it was very good, a lot like gyo, just a bit nightmarish to brew.

So, by all means try it, I am glad for the experience. I just like it when the leaves more or less immediately sink and hang out on the bottom like good leaves should.

[Tead Off]

Anyone planning to order the Tencha Super Premium from Hibiki-an?

http://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info.p ... mbie5tiih7

It looks interesting but is pricey. Hibiki-an seems to trying a bunch "non traditional" offerings the last year or two (aged gyokuru... etc).

I haven't tried their Tencha but their other teas are very good (sencha/gyokuro).

[Ambrose]

I wont be ordering any but I do love their sencha superior. Great daily tea for the money

[brlarson]

Their super-premium tencha from last year was different from any other tea that I've tried and was well worth tasting, in fact I still have one package in the TeaFridge. Hmmm... that's gotta come out soon.

Chip's right. It floats like charcoal ash on water but it isn't too difficult to handle. If you've never had tencha then Hibiki-an's is a good one to taste.