This is the last of the samples from the DAVIDs order I placed a few months ago. Don’t tell me it’s time to get more…
Straight senchas are usually a bit too grassy and vegetal for me. This one’s good though. In the scent I’m picking up the usually straight grass notes, but there’s also something toasty and sweet, sort of like kettle corn. There’s a little fruitiness in the smell too. I can’t quite put my finger on it – apples, maybe, or grapes.
I think I steeped it a little too hot, as there is a bit of bitterness, but it’s good anyway. Primarily it’s vegetal, but there’s a toasted note to it, almost like a very light gyokuro. DAVIDs website says that it’s dried using wood fires, so that’s probably where it comes from.
It’s good. I probably won’t order it again, but it’s good nonetheless.
EDIT: Thanks to a suggestion from ScottTeaMan, I tried steeping it at a much lower temp. I guessed on my kettle to bring it to about 155, 160. Suddenly all the bitterness and much of the vegetal has gone away, and it’s buttery and sweet with notes of fruit, so I’m upping the rating!
Preparation
People who liked this
Comments
Try steeping around 160*
The problem is that my kettle is only set to 180 or 212… I have to estimate to get other ranges. But I’ll definitely try that for the second steep. Thanks!
I always guess ….hehe…Look for light steam rising from the kettle. Next time you steep at tea at 180*, look at the steam. There should be less steam at 160, and the more practice you get-you’ll get better at it.
Or you could set it at 180* and let cool for 3-5 min. or set at 180, pour water in seperate mug and wait until water cools to 160* with thermometer, and then pour it over tea.
A lower steep will reduce bitterness.
Michelle, I got a thermometer I use it a lot for japanese green teas. :)
Even if you oversteep the water, pour it in a seperate container, and with thermo at 160…….WALLLAHHH! Next stop…….tea leaves.
I need one especially for my Shincha! :=))
Any special thermometer Amy?? Have you seen the ones Upton’s sells?
nothing fancy, I got it at a hardware store, I think it’s a candy thermometer
@ScottTeaMan – tried it at 155 – SO GOOD. Thanks!
@Amy – I have an espresso thermometer, and I used to use it a lot… but after getting my variable temp I’ve gotten spoiled and don’t want to wait :)
Try steeping around 160*
The problem is that my kettle is only set to 180 or 212… I have to estimate to get other ranges. But I’ll definitely try that for the second steep. Thanks!
I always guess ….hehe…Look for light steam rising from the kettle. Next time you steep at tea at 180*, look at the steam. There should be less steam at 160, and the more practice you get-you’ll get better at it.
Or you could set it at 180* and let cool for 3-5 min. or set at 180, pour water in seperate mug and wait until water cools to 160* with thermometer, and then pour it over tea.
A lower steep will reduce bitterness.
Michelle, I got a thermometer I use it a lot for japanese green teas. :)
Even if you oversteep the water, pour it in a seperate container, and with thermo at 160…….WALLLAHHH! Next stop…….tea leaves.
I need one especially for my Shincha! :=))
Any special thermometer Amy?? Have you seen the ones Upton’s sells?
nothing fancy, I got it at a hardware store, I think it’s a candy thermometer
@ScottTeaMan – tried it at 155 – SO GOOD. Thanks!
@Amy – I have an espresso thermometer, and I used to use it a lot… but after getting my variable temp I’ve gotten spoiled and don’t want to wait :)