Kagoshima Chiran Kanaya Midori 08

[joelbct]

Just brewed up some of this year's harvest, perhaps my favorite Sencha, from the nutrient-rich volcanic soil of Chiran, Kagoshima... Intense, succulent, delicious. Has a taste to it that is unique from any other Sencha I have tried, aside from maybe the Megami which is a bit similar. Also, perhaps a bit different from last year's harvest, I can't very well describe how though. Maybe a bit more tempered, whatever that means.

When I stopped by Ito En yesterday, they had cold-brewed some of this for iced tea, which I said tasted awesome. The girl at the shop said "it also makes good hot tea," and her coworker quipped, 'that's like saying the stones also play rock and roll!'

[Salsero]

Sounds great ... nice photo!

[Chip]

We should get together, Joel and throw down some serious Kagoshima leaf. Your Chiran vs Yutaka Midori form O-Cha, of course.

Which Kago would reign supreme A battle for the ages

WC, NY is not that far from Reading, PA you know.

[PolyhymnianMuse]

We should get together, Joel and throw down some serious Kagoshima leaf

Which Kago would reign supreme A battle for the ages

WC, NY is not that far from Reading, PA you know.

I am as close or even closer as well

[Chip]

Well, a third judge might be needed ... or do you have another Kago leaf to throw down.

[PolyhymnianMuse]

Well, a third judge might be needed ... or do you have another Kago leaf to throw down.

I don't, but i could order one

[Wesli]

Wow, what a coincidence!

I've been drinking the Chiran and really enjoying it. Today, I decided to do a cold brew experiment. I put 2.5 tsp in a bag and tied it off with some floss, then put that in 1 liter of water. I started drinking it an hour later, and it was DELICIOUS. More cold brew experiments for me in the future.

[Chip]

Lookin' good, Wes.

I am actually serious about getting together and seriously brewing some sencha and maybe some gyokuro too.

[joelbct]

Hey why not, schedule permitting, that could be fun. Blind Kago taste testing! Of course, the winner would be all of us, because we get to drink awesome Sencha.

I haven't cold brewed myself yet Wes, but I think I will. What I tasted at the shop had been cold brewed with ice water for 2 hours. Maybe I'll do a batch tonight. Have to make some filtered water ice cubes, though...

[greenisgood]

I had a few ounces of that stuff a while ago. I remeber it being good, and kind of citrusy like Den's Maki.

[joelbct]

WC, NY is not that far from Reading, PA you know.

Just 150 miles, according to Mapquest. We could meet half way, in Pluckemin, New Jersey! Gotta hesitate when a town doesn't even have a Wikipedia Stub

And speaking of Wikipedia, now I know why you love Sencha so much Chip! The Reading Pagoda! It must have mystical powers or something:

[Chip]

WC, NY is not that far from Reading, PA you know.

Just 150 miles, according to Mapquest. We could meet half way, in Pluckemin, New Jersey! Gotta hesitate when a town doesn't even have a Wikipedia Stub

And speaking of Wikipedia, now I know why you love Sencha so much Chip! The Reading Pagoda! It must have mystical powers or something:

Hahahaaa...yeah, atop Mt Penn gracing our skyline. It is as much Reading as pretzels (Reading is "Pretzel City" )

I ride my bike there all the time. Nice mountain climb.

EDIT: Ok, had to go for a while and never responded to you Joel.

75 miles is very doable actually. Pluckimen, NJ. I have been back and forth to NY so many times and never saw that town. But obviously, the best situation would be a place that would allow us to brew our own teas if we want to. That would be fun. Besides, most TeaChatter TeaMeets in tearooms fail to impress on the tea end of things. And I somehow doubt if Pluckimen has a Japanese Tearoom!

But if we locate some place and contact them in advance and that we are from the best American tea forum on the planet and would provide "coverage," who knows.

Or any other ideas?

[Chip]

Well, a third judge might be needed ... or do you have another Kago leaf to throw down.

I don't, but i could order one

Not sure off hand where you are in relation to Pluckimen, NJ.

You know, I am after you on the Oolong box pass, and had already been thinking of a midpoint meeting to pass the box on.

The Oolong Box Pass exchange would be a great opp for us to hook up alternately, or even in addition to.

[Chip]

Joel, O-Cha is about to offer a Chiran beginning next week. Comparing the Ito en and O-cha would be great. I would want to bring along the Yutaka Midori as well.

[Pentox]

Lupicia also has a Chiran Yutaka Midori. It's pretty good stuff.