Haven't broken into the tencha yet, but it shall be soon. I want to make sure I can give it the time it deserves. I have however, tried one of the samples that came with it. Everyone seems to have received an interesting "smattering" of samples, so I thought I would take the liberty to create a thread to discuss them.
So....Whatcha get?
From super sleuthing, I have deducted that I received the Chiran Yutakamidori (yum!), Momo Oolong Super Grade (meh, really strong peach flavoring but disappointing tea base), and Gyokuro Seiran No Homare.
The last one was certainly an experience. I couldn't find the number (8001) on Lupicia's site, so I assumed it was a sencha. Naturally, I went about brewing using my blanket starting point for senchas (160ºF). When I put the leaves in the prewarmed pot, I was floored by the really awesome scent--I can't even describe it. I thought I picked up traces of 'white' fruits--like sugary white peaches (currently in season here!), but it was set off by herbal notes usually found in bitters and things like absinthe. And it made me go daaaamn. It was like tolling Pavlov's bell.
And then I brewed it thinking it was a sencha, and it was too hot, and I got a nice, strong, grassy-umami-bittersweet soup.
Soooo disappointing. I wish I'd trawled Pentox's blog for better identification first. Still, between the leaf scent and the surprisingly satisfactory brew I did get (despite clearly overdoing the gyo), I want Lupica to bring this back to the shop PRONTO.
Pentox, thankyouthankyouthankyou for including these samples. I've had so much fun with them! Now...tencha (aka puppy drowning
)!
The last one was certainly an experience. I couldn't find the number (8001) on Lupicia's site, so I assumed it was a sencha. Naturally, I went about brewing using my blanket starting point for senchas (160ºF). When I put the leaves in the prewarmed pot, I was floored by the really awesome scent--I can't even describe it. I thought I picked up traces of 'white' fruits--like sugary white peaches (currently in season here!), but it was set off by herbal notes usually found in bitters and things like absinthe. And it made me go daaaamn. It was like tolling Pavlov's bell.
And then I brewed it thinking it was a sencha, and it was too hot, and I got a nice, strong, grassy-umami-bittersweet soup.
Soooo disappointing. I wish I'd trawled Pentox's blog for better identification first. Still, between the leaf scent and the surprisingly satisfactory brew I did get (despite clearly overdoing the gyo), I want Lupica to bring this back to the shop PRONTO.
Pentox, thankyouthankyouthankyou for including these samples. I've had so much fun with them! Now...tencha (aka puppy drowning
)!The Chiran YM is really something else. It's a key player in my love of Yutakamidori at the moment.
The Momo, I don't know why Lupicia is pushing it so much right now, but they have been trying to push it fairly hard recently. I've never been that impressed by it.
The Gyokuro Seiran No Homare is something else. I wish I had more of it to really play around with, but as you mentioned it is no longer available on their website. From the last time I was in the store it is not available there as well. I've asked them why this is, but have yet to hear a response.
Enjoy puppy drowning.
The Momo, I don't know why Lupicia is pushing it so much right now, but they have been trying to push it fairly hard recently. I've never been that impressed by it.
The Gyokuro Seiran No Homare is something else. I wish I had more of it to really play around with, but as you mentioned it is no longer available on their website. From the last time I was in the store it is not available there as well. I've asked them why this is, but have yet to hear a response.
Enjoy puppy drowning.
"Mate Green"
My first yerba mate, drank it this morning, and was pleasantly surprised.
I expected it to taste vulgar, but found the contrary. I started light with 1.5 tsp/180ml for a few minutes.
The taste was delicate, but the mouthfeel was tingly, as if preparing me for the spike of energy it provided. I resteeped it one time, and could have gone for another.
Could mate be a new morning drink for me?
My first yerba mate, drank it this morning, and was pleasantly surprised.
I expected it to taste vulgar, but found the contrary. I started light with 1.5 tsp/180ml for a few minutes.
The taste was delicate, but the mouthfeel was tingly, as if preparing me for the spike of energy it provided. I resteeped it one time, and could have gone for another.
Could mate be a new morning drink for me?
This morning I tried the sample #5111 from Lupicia called Good Morning.
It is a blend of African and Assam teas and was pretty good actually.
I would have really loved this a few months ago - I used to drink mainly Assam and Ceylon in the morning. This is a smooth blend though a bit astringent. I seem to be moving into Darjeelings as my preferred black teas now, but I enjoyed this one, thank you!
It is a blend of African and Assam teas and was pretty good actually.
I would have really loved this a few months ago - I used to drink mainly Assam and Ceylon in the morning. This is a smooth blend though a bit astringent. I seem to be moving into Darjeelings as my preferred black teas now, but I enjoyed this one, thank you!