It has been awhile since I’ve logged. I’ll just try to pick it up as if nothing happened. But it is nice to write about tea again.
I’ve previously tried Genmaicha by Rishi, and Adagio. My liking among them is greatly polarizing. So I decided to try Zhi, being fairly priced and something different. When I first opened the foil, the aroma was that of any Genmaicha, fresh clean crisp greens, melded with the toasted rice. Some subtle floral notes existed as well. To my surprise, (thankfully too,) there was no popcorn pieces in mine. I feel the addition of the popcorn pieces lacks authenticity, and adds a unnecessary subtle oily taste meant to add complexity over the leaves. I find that this is more appropriately done with the rice.
I brewed this in my 12 oz. red clay Tokoname kyusu for two of my friends. I only got a sip of the cup, but it seems well rounded. A decent Gemaicha has tamed grass notes in it’s taste, heavy aroma with the rice, and finishes in the classic Japanese green bittersweet, leaving a pleasant roasted aftertaste.
The leaves opened well, and appeared to be quite whole for a Japanese green. On a trivial note, I always think of little maggots, when I see the roasted rice! XP It’s just something I can’t help but think about.
I will definitely ad another tasting note, with more depth.
