Every year we have an Official Shincha ordering and review topic. This is it!
As most of you know, I have had a very busy and somewhat stressful spring with helping my mother with health issues and getting her acclimated to new surroundings in her new apartment.
I am really looking forward to hearing from all of you about your Shincha experiences until I can jump on board.
May 17th 14 5:25 pm
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Re: Official Shincha 2014 Ordering and Review Topic
My order from O-cha arrived at JFK yesterday, so I anticipate being able to weigh in very soon. Looking forward to hearing people's experiences!
Re: Official Shincha 2014 Ordering and Review Topic
Best wishes to your mum Chip.
I'm drinking some SM shincha from o-cha. Its excellent but its been so long since I've had shincha I can't give a good review.....except to say its lovely and fresh tasting LOL <<<<noob
I'm drinking some SM shincha from o-cha. Its excellent but its been so long since I've had shincha I can't give a good review.....except to say its lovely and fresh tasting LOL <<<<noob
Re: Official Shincha 2014 Ordering and Review Topic
I ordered from three places:
- Sugiyama Yaeho (asamushi) from Thes du Japon. A very early appearing cultivar from Shizuoka...one of the very first (around April 1 or something). It has been interesting, but I've honestly enjoyed it with unusual parameters: 195F for 20 seconds
- I ordered several teas from Hiruma-en. Did it via email and Paypal. He was very helpful and I got a bunch of interesting teas. A micro-fermented houjicha and kamairicha, a fukamushi and asamushi from rare cultivars, and two temomichas.
The fukamushi (Yumewakaba cultivar) is really good. His brewing suggestions are really crazy, but they work excellently!
For this tea, his suggestion is:
5g tea, 2oz water, 140F, 45 seconds - that's more than 2g/oz!
Finally, this week I should be getting a few teas from Den - "Zuiko" (shincha version), "Kunpu" (88 nights), "108 nights" (high mountain shincha from a single farm in Umegashima; picked 20 days after the standard picking time because of the slower growth).
- Sugiyama Yaeho (asamushi) from Thes du Japon. A very early appearing cultivar from Shizuoka...one of the very first (around April 1 or something). It has been interesting, but I've honestly enjoyed it with unusual parameters: 195F for 20 seconds
- I ordered several teas from Hiruma-en. Did it via email and Paypal. He was very helpful and I got a bunch of interesting teas. A micro-fermented houjicha and kamairicha, a fukamushi and asamushi from rare cultivars, and two temomichas.
The fukamushi (Yumewakaba cultivar) is really good. His brewing suggestions are really crazy, but they work excellently!
For this tea, his suggestion is:
5g tea, 2oz water, 140F, 45 seconds - that's more than 2g/oz!
Finally, this week I should be getting a few teas from Den - "Zuiko" (shincha version), "Kunpu" (88 nights), "108 nights" (high mountain shincha from a single farm in Umegashima; picked 20 days after the standard picking time because of the slower growth).
May 20th 14 6:31 pm
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Re: Official Shincha 2014 Ordering and Review Topic
Thank you, Alex.Alex wrote:Best wishes to your mum Chip.
I'm drinking some SM shincha from o-cha. Its excellent but its been so long since I've had shincha I can't give a good review.....except to say its lovely and fresh tasting LOL <<<<noob
Re: Official Shincha 2014 Ordering and Review Topic
OK. I tried 2 shincha from O-Cha:
Tanegashima Asamushi Sencha
Light, refreshing asamushi without complex flavour. I would say it was nice. Could give it a go.
Chiran Sencha
As stated by Kelvin, this year's Chiran Sencha is medium steamed but IMO the tea was not far from fukamushi.
Taste was wonderful grassy, with a hint of umami in the 1st infusion. Sure would buy this again.
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I saw that Ippodo is having a Shincha available for sell. But I am worrying it is not very tasty given the description on their website. I prefer tea on the umami side.
http://shop.ippodo-tea.co.jp/kyoto/shop ... gcd=533102
"Our 2014 Shincha is a type of sencha, different from our regular sencha in taste and character.
While our regular sencha offers our trademark full-bodied and well-balanced character -a character that is consistent throughout the year and from year to year thanks to careful blending-Shincha's charm is a freshness that represents a particular year's new harvest.
This year's Shincha is light and refreshing -perfect for late-spring and early-summer. "
======================================================
Also, yuuki cha have quite some selection of shincha available, did anyone ever tried their shincha?
Tanegashima Asamushi Sencha
Light, refreshing asamushi without complex flavour. I would say it was nice. Could give it a go.
Chiran Sencha
As stated by Kelvin, this year's Chiran Sencha is medium steamed but IMO the tea was not far from fukamushi.
Taste was wonderful grassy, with a hint of umami in the 1st infusion. Sure would buy this again.
=======================================
I saw that Ippodo is having a Shincha available for sell. But I am worrying it is not very tasty given the description on their website. I prefer tea on the umami side.
http://shop.ippodo-tea.co.jp/kyoto/shop ... gcd=533102
"Our 2014 Shincha is a type of sencha, different from our regular sencha in taste and character.
While our regular sencha offers our trademark full-bodied and well-balanced character -a character that is consistent throughout the year and from year to year thanks to careful blending-Shincha's charm is a freshness that represents a particular year's new harvest.
This year's Shincha is light and refreshing -perfect for late-spring and early-summer. "
======================================================
Also, yuuki cha have quite some selection of shincha available, did anyone ever tried their shincha?
Re: Official Shincha 2014 Ordering and Review Topic
The Ippodo shincha is good. But it also depends on what you like.
If you prefer umami above all, then use should stick to fukamushi senchas.
Shincha is often a very nice mix of sweet, bitter, and fresh... it is well-balanced.
Try this here, and you can get a good idea of the difference of two kinds of shincha (different levels of steaming): http://www.denstea.com/b2014-shinchab-c-586.html (go down to the 'Tasting Set')
If you prefer umami above all, then use should stick to fukamushi senchas.
Shincha is often a very nice mix of sweet, bitter, and fresh... it is well-balanced.
Try this here, and you can get a good idea of the difference of two kinds of shincha (different levels of steaming): http://www.denstea.com/b2014-shinchab-c-586.html (go down to the 'Tasting Set')
Re: Official Shincha 2014 Ordering and Review Topic
I tried Sae Midori and Yutaka Midori from O-cha and must say both are excellent...SM is on par with last years (which was great, too) and YM is much tastier than last years (which was good, but not superb). Lot's of umami in both, sweetness in YM, little of sea taste in SM...I can get quality 4 steepings easily.
May 25th 14 3:24 am
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Re: Official Shincha 2014 Ordering and Review Topic
Just bought some Organic Chiran and Uji Sencha Murashi. Only $5 shipping for 240g of tea! Thanks for the suggestions guys. Looks like I got into green tea at just the right time, since everything from spring / pre-qingming is out now!
Re: Official Shincha 2014 Ordering and Review Topic
Sencha from Mariko, Kondo-wase cultivar (thes-of-japon).
Type of tea: Futsumushi (normal-steamed) sencha
Origin: Mariko, Suruga Borough, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Cultivar: Kondo-wase Harvest: April 19 2014 (first spring harvest), handpicked
It's very minimally processed In the kyusu the wet leaves smell like grapes. As for the dry leaf, very long, thin needles.
Type of tea: Futsumushi (normal-steamed) sencha
Origin: Mariko, Suruga Borough, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Cultivar: Kondo-wase Harvest: April 19 2014 (first spring harvest), handpicked
It's very minimally processed In the kyusu the wet leaves smell like grapes. As for the dry leaf, very long, thin needles.
Re: Official Shincha 2014 Ordering and Review Topic
I ordered the Sae Midori & the Fukuamushi Kaoru this year from O-Cha (I'm open to suggestions of other orders to place!).
The Sae Midori was wonderful. I haven't gotten to the Deep-Steamed bag yet.
The Sae Midori was wonderful. I haven't gotten to the Deep-Steamed bag yet.
Re: Official Shincha 2014 Ordering and Review Topic
O-Cha has offered their first kamairicha:
http://www.o-cha.com/Organic-Kamairi-Tamaryokucha.html
I hope they offer more organic selections of this style of tea, as I'm a fan and it's hard to find vendors online selling this kind of tea.
The only shincha I have had this season so far is the Tanegashima asamushi from o-cha. I thought it was very solid. Pretty asamushi leaf, delicious flavor. Some mild tropical notes. Very solid.
http://www.o-cha.com/Organic-Kamairi-Tamaryokucha.html
I hope they offer more organic selections of this style of tea, as I'm a fan and it's hard to find vendors online selling this kind of tea.
The only shincha I have had this season so far is the Tanegashima asamushi from o-cha. I thought it was very solid. Pretty asamushi leaf, delicious flavor. Some mild tropical notes. Very solid.
Re: Official Shincha 2014 Ordering and Review Topic
That Kondo-wase was one of my favorites from last year. This year I've gotten the Sae Midori and Yutaka Midori from O-cha and am quite pleased with both.
May 30th 14 3:40 pm
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Re: Official Shincha 2014 Ordering and Review Topic
Finally got on board the Shincha 2014 teawagon ... 11 selections from O-Cha who has a bunch of new selections. EMS ...
I will post what I ordered after tea.
Still shopping ... of course. Looks like I may hit the goal of 20 again this year despite a late start.
I will post what I ordered after tea.
Still shopping ... of course. Looks like I may hit the goal of 20 again this year despite a late start.
Re: Official Shincha 2014 Ordering and Review Topic
20, as in 20 different 100g shicha bags !?Chip wrote:Looks like I may hit the goal of 20 again this year despite a late start.