865 Tasting Notes
Another tea from Lena F. So this is the tea that has all the weight loss hype… Kinda ironic since that’s the very reason I got into loose leaf and am just now trying it over 2 years later.
I love the look and feel of the raw leaf. Most twisted tea is very thin- this reminded me more of a small gnarled twig. There’s almost no scent, but what scent is there is a light and slightly sweet one.
2.25g/6oz. Gosh after all my excitement over Japanese greens, it seems odd to use my tea scale. I missed it!
I wasn’t sure how long to steep it so I decided to go on the light side. The liquor is a light copper, the aroma sweet but with depth and complexity. The taste is smooth and much like the aroma- sweet but not fruity, sugary, or desserty and a touch, but only a touch, earthy. It’s deep and complex w/ being strong or bitter. I don’t care that it doesn’t live up to the hype of being a miracle tea. I’ll still be drinking a lot of this!
Preparation
I can’t believe the brewing perameters on this! The info they sent me clearly states 1/2TB (1.5tsp) steeped in 4oz boiling water for 1min for senchas, but the bag says 1tsp/6oz in 190 degree water for 3 min. I’m sticking w/ the sheet.
Preparation
2nd and 3rd infusions combined. 8oz boiling water steeped for 3min. In light of the bitterness of the 1st infusion. I did something I RARELY do. I decided to sweeten it. 1 packet of stevia. Idea isn’t bad, but too sweet. next time gonna steep it in 16oz for 7 min 40 sec. You could just use half a packet, but to me that’s a pain and a mess.
Japanese greens have very specific steeping parameters. Each green from company to company can be radically different. I’ve heard of greens that require 2 tbsp.
@teaplz, it shouldn’t be the company that makes the difference. Each sencha SHOULD be the same. Are other teas (black, chai, pu erh, white, oolong) from Japan similar? What about from other countries? This is the 1st I’ve learned of steeping according to sub type of tea (sencha vs. just green) and can’t find this info for other kinds.
No, each sencha is not the same. Like every other tea, sencha has many varieties. Depending on which sencha you’re drinking, steepage might be different.
In fact, in general, there are two broad categories of sencha: “Two types of sencha are available. They’re differentiated by the length of steaming time: there are lightly-steamed (regular) senchas and deep-steamed senchas. Generally speaking, teas from the select growing zones and higher-grade teas (such as the first-harvest teas discussed below) are processed with shorter steaming times to retain their natural flavor. Deep-steaming is a relatively new processing method. Advantages brought by longer steaming are a milder yet rich-bodied taste with less bitterness, brilliant green brewed color, and easier brewing.”
http://www.greentea-direct.com/about_hishidai/sencha_gyokuro.html
So yes, you have to change your steepage time for each different tea depending on varietal.
Further information on the difference senchas: http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/sencha.html
Not all teas are the same.
@teaplz, I think there was some miscommunication on my part. What I meant was that all premium sencha should be steeped in an amount of 1.5tsp of leaf in 2-3oz of 160 degree water for 90 sec no matter what company it comes from. Same w/ sencha, Premium Fukamushi-Sencha, and Fukamushi-Sencha with their own unique parameters.
What I was trying to say is that different companies can order different types of sencha, and suggest different steeping times as a result. That’s why each company can have very varied steeping suggestions. It’s all to taste, anyway. Different amounts of buds vs. leaves, different varieties of plants, different roasting procedures, all of these can change suggested steep times.
If every company’s premium sencha tasted exactly the same, then why would anyone bother drinking several different companies’ varieties? It’s because no two teas are ever alike, and no one’s taste buds are ever alike.
I don’t think that tea can ever be an exact science. One man’s “BLECH!” is another man’s “MMM.”
Although I’ve gotten in trouble for saying so, I definitely agree "One man’s “BLECH!” is another man’s “MMM.”", but I also think that while different teas of like type (premium sencha for example) should be steeped using the same parameters to amplify the differences. Just my way of thinking of course. It just doesn’t make sense for them to include that pamphlet and then suggest alternative steeping perameters.
I get confused easily lol. And contradictory info DEFINTELY confuses me:)
Hrm. One might be Japanese-style and the other might be Western-style steeping? That’s what it looks like to me!
@teaplz, that’s exactly what I think it is- but I don’t think a company should publish both (especially w/o specifying the difference). It confuses my poor tea-logged brain cells. Don’t get me started on Western style steeping LOL. I’ll stick w/ Japanese style steeping. It never occured to me that the way we drink it here could be different than in their countries of origin. Now that I do, I’m going to strive to steep each type of tea authentically.
4th & 5th infusions combined. 8oz of water steeped for 5 min. Not a whole lot of apple flavor, but definitely a sweet green tea. Dumping the leaves out cuz most of them are so small they’re getting mushy- does anyone else have that problem w/ Den’s Tea?
Crap. I wasn’t thinking when I made this and put 2 scoops in half a bowl. My tongue is happy but my stomach isn’t. It was good til the last sip, then it got chunky. I used a 3rd infusion (1.5 teaspoons/8oz boiling water steeped for 1 min 40 sec) of Adagio’s cocomint green to make it instead of plain water, but w/ 2x the matcha, didn’t taste it. Gonna retry it sometime. Why can’t I get this to foam? Tomorrow I’m gonna try to remember to try it latte style.
Preparation
Free sampler. Tea 1. WOW! I didn’t realize that every Japanese green tea is steeped using different water, tea, and temp perameters! My 1st experience w/ Genmaicha. 1tsp (2.9g) steeped in 8oz boiled water for 30 sec. This is a lighter ratio than I would have prepared (3g/80oz water) had I not known how to prepare Japanese green tea. I also would have only prepared 6oz at a time. The liquor is really fun, IT’S LIME GREEN!:) The aroma is exactly what you’d expect it to be, as is the taste. A good food pairing would be cereal or pop corn. This is a good genmaicha, but I’m just not a genmaicha person. But if you are, you MUST try this- AND 1st time customers can try it for free!:)
Preparation
Just gonna start adding comments for additional infusions.. 2nd infusion, boiling water for 40 sec. Liquor is just a bit lighter, still lime green. Smells the same. Tastes pretty much the same too. Brownie points for a hard core 2nd infusion. Does anyone else resteep genmaicha? How do you do it?
OK.. I took a sip and I think it went into my sinuses cuz I feel like I have water up my nose, but none went in… ouch.
backlogging, last nite OH MY GOSH! I could just slap myself. My matcha set came a day early than I expected and I didn’t even hear it being delivered! Mom noticed it when she came home. I could have had it long before I should have cut off my caffeine… and I just couldn’t wait! 16oz water/2 scoops matcha. This is the 1st time I’m making this myself. The only other time I had it was Rishi brand and it was lighter in color and had a foam on top… The lack of foam I’m just attributing to my lack of experience whisking. Rich, lucious, decadent, a little sweet yet bitter, and a little grassy finish. YUM!
Preparation
AH CRAP! This (3rd) infusion proves I love my dog more than I love tea. I forgot all about it playing w/ Madison so it steeped for 10 min. The liquor was a autumnal orange color and the flavor was strong and wonderful… but that makes me think that to be strong enough for a good 3rd infusion this SHOULD have been steeped to heck and bitter…
2nd infusion, 4 min. Quite similar to the 1st. Liquor is a bit lighter maybe and more orangy- a burnt orange color. The taste is also maybe a but lighter, smoother.
you are most welcome. I had no idea about this being a “miracle tea” or weight loss tea. I just liked the taste.
3rd infusion, 5 min. Orange liquor, reminds me of pumpkin pie. Slightly sweet, smooth, and grounded.
As much as I LOVE my bowla matcha, I like to cleanse my palate after drinking a bowl- not necessarily of the taste, but more of the texture and mouth feel. 4th infusion, 6min. Liquor is a bit lighter and more yellowish. Taste is very similar to infusion 3- smooth and clean.
The snow has stopped, but w/ 15 to -30 wind chills I’m so cold even in the house that I don’t want to move even to make tea or lunch. It’s 2pm and I just got done eating. Lasagna tv dinner sauce was on the sweet side, only 2 layers (I prefer 3), and the sausage had a LOT of fennel in it. I like mine made w/ beef for that reason. Now, on to what I had w/ that lasagna. Infusion 5, 7 min. Holy cow! Is this the same tea? Am I suddenly on top of the Grand Canyon? Because this had a huge drop off in both liquor and flavor. The light yellowish green liquor makes it look like a white or green tea and the taste definitely matches that of a light, slightly sweet green or white. That’s NOT bad, but I’m disappointed it dropped off so drastically. I’ve been surprised before, I’m praying it makes a come back next time.
Madison doesn’t want to go outside even though she needs to cuz it’s so cold and windy, but I don’t blame her. This means letting a lot of cold air in the house. Making infusion 6 to warm up. The liquor is back! OK, well I forced it. I would have normally steeped this infusion for 8 min, but bumped it up to 10. The liquor is now a dull mustard brown and the flavor is exactly like infusion 5 only stronger.
Infusion 7, 12 min. The liquor is a lovely golden color and the taste is light and clean.
Infusion 7, 16 min. Liquor is lighter than infusion 7, and flavor sweeter than it’s been in a while.
Infusion 8, 20 min. lighter, but still sweet and good.
oops, last infusion was 9. this is 10. 27 min. VERY light liquor- champagneish. Taste is also very light, but sweet and clean.
Infusion 11, 36min. Liquor same as #10, flavor a bit stronger. These leaves are dead. Funny.. the leaves infusions 2-11 looked like raffia. I would have thought they’d be totally flat by now.