I tried the Sencha Overture from my Adagio Green Tea Sampler. First I was surprized by the looks of the tea leaves, but I thought nothing of it. Then I noticed that the infused tea was oily and looked and smelled like stale chicken broth. This was quite a turn off but I finally held my breath and tried it anyway. Now I realize that everyones tastes are different but I can not understand how anyone can drink this tea. It was positively the most disgusting tea experience that I have ever had. I can't even begin to describe what this tea tasted like. I almost threw up.
The good part is that it was so bad, that it was funny afterwards. I then washed the taste out of my mouth with some Adagio Green Pekoe so all is well!
Steve
Feb 6th, '09, 20:33
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Feb 6th, '09, 21:35
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Overture is second flush sencha, should not be anything offensive about it. I have it here and did not notice the oily issue. I tend to brew it semi English style and also use it for blending a lot. How are you brewing it?
BTW, the Sencha Premier is shockingly good this year. I am on my second 5 ounce tin. This is a real step up in quality from previous years imho. If I was to change something, it would be the packaging. 5 ounces is a lot and makes for an expensive purchase. I am used to buying 2, 4 ounces ... or 50 or 100 grams. 5 ounces defies convention a bit.
If they would package 4 ounces in a heat sealed mylar bag, that would do the trick. This bag could be nicely placed into the existing tins. The tea would be preserved better, though I have not had an issue with freshness.
BTW, the Sencha Premier is shockingly good this year. I am on my second 5 ounce tin. This is a real step up in quality from previous years imho. If I was to change something, it would be the packaging. 5 ounces is a lot and makes for an expensive purchase. I am used to buying 2, 4 ounces ... or 50 or 100 grams. 5 ounces defies convention a bit.
If they would package 4 ounces in a heat sealed mylar bag, that would do the trick. This bag could be nicely placed into the existing tins. The tea would be preserved better, though I have not had an issue with freshness.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
Feb 7th, '09, 03:26
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I prepared it English style with 180 degree water for three mins. I see from the instructions on the other web site that I should infuse it for only 1 1/2 mins. I will try that. It might well be thatI just don't l;ike the taste of this kind of tea, but I don't understand the weird smell, or the oily look that I got from my first cup. It was indeed bitter, but I guess my three min. infusion would account for that. I guess I will try it again and see what happens.
Steve
Steve
Try 160 or less for 90 sec. Make sure the pour is done by the 90 sec. time.
“Take some more tea,” the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly.
“I’ve had nothing yet,” Alice replied in an offended tone: “so I ca’n’t take more.”
“You mean you ca’n’t take less,” said the Hatter: “it’s very easy to take more than nothing.”
“I’ve had nothing yet,” Alice replied in an offended tone: “so I ca’n’t take more.”
“You mean you ca’n’t take less,” said the Hatter: “it’s very easy to take more than nothing.”
Feb 7th, '09, 09:01
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Feb 7th, '09, 10:02
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Generally around 3-4 grams (I usually use 4-7 grams for first flush sencha) per about 7 ounces is what I use. A little warmer for this one, 170* and approaching 1.5 minutes, but I can play around with this one w/o much harm done. Sencha can be picky, this one is fairly easy as long as you do not overbrew with temp or time.
I tend to like this one "lighter" compared to first flush, which is common for 2nd flush sencha for me.
I tend to like this one "lighter" compared to first flush, which is common for 2nd flush sencha for me.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
Feb 8th, '09, 11:58
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I decided to try the sencha overture today, also. Boy, that first cup was just bad! I did as the my package said, 180 for 3 min. The smell and taste is of fish, I just couldn't believe it! I actually went on this forum to see what other are saying about this. I then re-steeped it, this time at 170 for 45 seconds and what a change - I actually really enjoy it! lol
I'm very new to world of loose tea, and know I have a lot to learn about these subtle changes in brewing.
Oh, and wiki CHA rocks! Thanks, el padre, for the link!
I'm very new to world of loose tea, and know I have a lot to learn about these subtle changes in brewing.
Oh, and wiki CHA rocks! Thanks, el padre, for the link!
Just my 2 cents here.. I got a sample of this sencha to see if it would be good as a cheap, everyday sencha. I've had success brewing it at 165-170 degrees for 1.5 minutes in a pot like the ingenuiTEA (I have teavana's version). I only filled it halfway, which is about 8oz. I think I used a level teaspoon, so 4 grams maybe?
Everyone's advice here is very good. You should really try it again, you'll taste the difference!
Everyone's advice here is very good. You should really try it again, you'll taste the difference!