So get this...

[Space Samurai]

Being in the tea business as a blogger is nice; I have access to free tea and sometimes a bit of inside information. It also means tea companies know where to find me.

I got an email today at work from Joshua Kaiser, the founder/owner of Rishi telling me that my review on their matcha was wrong, my preperation was wrong (by the way, my preperation follows O-cha's parameters to the letter and also meshes with the instructions given at Ippodo, Hibkik-an, and Den's tea as well), essentially that I needed to rethink my review. Of course this is after they emailed me in the first place telling me to rethink my first review of the sweet matcha. I didn't mind so much then, because that email came with free tea. Am I supposed to just keep drinking their tea till I agree with them?

Is it just me, or was this just friggin annoying. I've done a lot of reviews and received a lot of free tea, but I've never had a company email me and tell me I was wrong.

[Mary R]

I am righteously pissed off on your behalf as well. I've never had any company question my reviews of their products before, and would probably be quite indignant if they did. After all, it's my freakin' opinion...they certainly aren't paying me to like it!

However, professional reviewers apparently give reviews of how products perform only when used under the conditions any company states. They might include their own forays, but principle evaluation is based on the instructions given.

Rishi should know, though, that you are not a professional reviewer. If they read your other entries, they should figure out that you're a pretty skilled brewer and are using parameters you feel are best, and that are held as such by other reputable dealers. I don't understand what their issue is.

[Salsero]

Well, actually, Space, the rest of us have been trying to find a kind way to tell you for several months now ... You are WRONG WRONG WRONG!

Seriously, first you get under the skin of that big shot Chinese guy and now you've got the King of Rishi offering to set you straight, I'd say it looks like you must be doing something right! They seem to be taking your opinion pretty seriously. I'd also say it's up to you to decide if he's worth arguing with. You've been one of Rishi's big advocates in the past. I've (happily) bought tea and a kyusu from them only because you recommended them.

By the way, Kaiser, is that guy part of the Kaiser-Permanente health insurance empire?

[Space Samurai]

Thanks Mary, that's a good point. In the future I'll be sure to ask if a company prefers that I prepare their tea a certain way. This should avoid future incidents likte this. You live, you learn.

[Space Samurai]

I don't think so, Sal. He's just some dude from Milwaukee that started a tea biz that turned succesful.

[Mary R]

Seriously, first you get under the skin of that big shot Chinese guy and now you've got the King of Rishi offering to set you straight, I'd say it looks like you must be doing something right!

Space has a set of brass ones, that's for sure.

[brandon]

This aggression will not stand, man.

[brandon]

Sealed the deal on us not buying from Rishi.
We will require the service of one entry level kyusu for massive pimping.

[Space Samurai]

Thanks guys, I'm glad it wasn't just me over reacting.

[Wesli]

Isn't the whole idea behind those "Official Tasting Cup/Spoon" things to make sure each one is made the same? Anyways, who defines how to make tea? To us teacrazies, that's like telling us how to live! Each person has their own tastes, and it shows. For example, with Kevin's new supreme, I use about twice as much leaf as Ed, and we both love it. The Japanese use 10x as much leaf as any of us. In short, Josh should trust that you know how to prepare matcha to suit your own tastes.

I think our opinions should be respected by the suppliers.

...mine has
Notice the bit about steaming (why steaming? don't even ask).

Aura added that bit after I told her about how rolled teas take time to unroll, so steeping time depends on how tightly rolled or whatever I said.

It used to be this:

I know baozhong isn't rolled, but bear with me.

[Chip]

Good points all the way around. I don't know how I could add anything more. Just wanted to add a word of support.

[Mary R]

Hm...I've got some tightly rolled oolong right now, and the steaming thing actually sounds like a brilliant idea. In my head, it seems like I'd basically set a strainer over my kettle with a bit of tea in it as the kettle heats. I wonder how that would change things?

Gah! Too many reviews to do! When I get through the bulk of 'em, I'll turn to experimentation! It does sound like the answer to my high mountain oolong woes, though.

[hop_goblin]

Space, don't sweat it! I just receieved an email from a vendor for a tea that I had sampled. I emailed her my impression and was subsequently sent a really defensive emaile after I told the vendor that I did not really care for it. It was TGY. We all have our own palates and biases so of course there will be some disagreements amoung all of us and vendors.

[Salsero]

Chacun à son goût
De gustibus non disputandum est

Variety is the spice of life. Long live disagreements about taste! And may those people who get hot under the collar (i.e., vendors), cool down quickly.

[hop_goblin]

Exactly Sal! Well said!