In my quest to find and make my favorite cup of tea...
My favorite local Sushi restaurant serves a Genmaicha that I absolutely love. I haven't been able to find a tea and prepare it so that it compares with what I get at this restaurant. The restaurant's tea isn't strong per se, but it has a very present almost smoky taste to it that gives it this nice full flavor... it sort of tastes like I'm eating the little rice things out of dry Genmaicha tea.
I've tried the "Genmaicha Extra Green" from the Den's sampler and the "Genmai cha" from the Adagio green tea sampler, but neither seems to quite do it for me. I've ordered some of the "Kyoto Rice Green Tea" from Mighty Leaf and am going to give that a try. I've played around with different amounts and steep times, but that doesn't seem to get me any closer to my goal.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I might realize my current tea dream?
(Oh and I'm not quite in a position yet to do my own roasting, but may give that a try once I get moved into my new place next month.)
Feb 18th, '09, 12:14
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silvermage2000
It sounds somewhat like your restauraunt is serving you houji-genmaicha. Houji-genmai is genmai made with hojicha instead of bancha. It'll have a more roasted flavor to it. I actually have some right now and it's pretty good (and cheap) stuff. Den's Tea sells it.
Aside from that my current favorite genmai is SA's genmai, but it is probably the most expensive genmai you will ever see. Phenomenal stuff though. I've gone through quite a few genmais and it depends on what quality of the genmai you are looking for. Some are heavier on the rice or stronger on the tea, or more inclined toward a sencha flavor or a bancha flavor.
Aside from that my current favorite genmai is SA's genmai, but it is probably the most expensive genmai you will ever see. Phenomenal stuff though. I've gone through quite a few genmais and it depends on what quality of the genmai you are looking for. Some are heavier on the rice or stronger on the tea, or more inclined toward a sencha flavor or a bancha flavor.
I received my Houji-Genmaicha from Dens today and while it's good stuff, it's still not that something special that I'm looking for, it seems to be heavier on the Houji than on the Genmaicha.
I ordered some Might Leaf Kyoto Genmaicha which is good, I may try and mix that with some Houji that I received as a gift recently.
I also picked up a bit of the Genmaicha w/ Matcha from Den's which I'm drinking now and I like the Matcha twist. I also ordered some of the Houji-Kukicha which I haven't tried yet.
Fun stuff
I ordered some Might Leaf Kyoto Genmaicha which is good, I may try and mix that with some Houji that I received as a gift recently.
I also picked up a bit of the Genmaicha w/ Matcha from Den's which I'm drinking now and I like the Matcha twist. I also ordered some of the Houji-Kukicha which I haven't tried yet.
Fun stuff
Feb 26th, '09, 16:53
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geeber1 wrote:That could be interesting!Chip wrote:... homemade is my fave. This is also a good way to use up some leaf that might not be too endearing to you.
It is weird, vendors keep throwing genmaicha at me. I am ready to take it too weddings to throw at the happy couple.
I'll be there with a mouth full of boiling water!!!
My preference for unwanted sencha recently has been to make hojicha.Chip wrote:... homemade is my fave. This is also a good way to use up some leaf that might not be too endearing to you.
It is weird, vendors keep throwing genmaicha at me. I am ready to take it too weddings to throw at the happy couple.
Feb 26th, '09, 18:10
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...my plan B ...Pentox wrote:My preference for unwanted sencha recently has been to make hojicha.Chip wrote:... homemade is my fave. This is also a good way to use up some leaf that might not be too endearing to you.
It is weird, vendors keep throwing genmaicha at me. I am ready to take it too weddings to throw at the happy couple.
Hmmm, that could be dangerous, better try it a tad off boil, don't want to make it bitter ...Topmounter wrote:I'll be there with a mouth full of boiling water!!!
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Feb 26th, '09, 20:10
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Actually, it is also A+B=C as I do also make houjicha to mix with my genmai. Lots of options.Pentox wrote:Should totally be plan A. After some of the genmai i've had it's hard to compare to it.Chip wrote: ...my plan B ...
I have been pan firing, but want to try slow "roasting" in the oven or similar as I hear this further reduces caffeine.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
Pan firing is so much fun though!Chip wrote:Actually, it is also A+B=C as I do also make houjicha to mix with my genmai. Lots of options.Pentox wrote:Should totally be plan A. After some of the genmai i've had it's hard to compare to it.Chip wrote: ...my plan B ...
I have been pan firing, but want to try slow "roasting" in the oven or similar as I hear this further reduces caffeine.
Personally i'm not a big fan of hojigenmai.
