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Matcha
Feb 3, 2008 13:49:50 GMT -5
Post by inume on Feb 3, 2008 13:49:50 GMT -5
I got a tin of the Republic of Tea's matcha-in-a-bag, and really like the flavor. It's great for every day enjoyment, but what if I want to go more traditional?
There seems to be a lot of sources online for buying 'loose leaf' ('loose powder?') matcha online, but would anyone like to make a personal recommendation? If you buy yours local, feel free to share it here too. ;D
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Matcha
Feb 9, 2008 0:49:29 GMT -5
Post by solveig on Feb 9, 2008 0:49:29 GMT -5
Noble Cousin! Greetings from Solveig! I am something of a tea snob. Regardless, if you are interested in buying tea via mail-order in the United States, I suggest that you order from Tea Circle: www.tea-circle.com/. I've been buying stuff from these folks for several years now. I would, of course, like to mail-order tea directly from specialty stores in Japan, but I haven't worked that out. Matcha should be kept refrigerated until you open it up. You should also keep it dry. DO NOT try to use leaf tea for matcha. The process involves getting correct loose leaf (generally unavailable) and then grinding it in a stone hand mill (which can be bought, but is rather expensive).
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Matcha
Feb 9, 2008 4:17:56 GMT -5
Post by inume on Feb 9, 2008 4:17:56 GMT -5
Ah. Thanks for the heads up!
When I said "loose leaf" I was referring to loose powder not contained in tea bags - but the point of actual loose leaf matcha bears mentioning; I did not know about the hand grinding involved, nor did I realize that matcha should be refrigerated prior to opening. Domo arigato, Solveig-sensei. As always, this person enjoys your advice and input.
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Saionji Shonagon
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One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
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Matcha
Feb 9, 2008 11:23:04 GMT -5
Post by Saionji Shonagon on Feb 9, 2008 11:23:04 GMT -5
When we asked the proprietor of our favorite sushi-ya what they were serving, Steve brought the bag out from the kitchen so I'd know what to get. Yamamotoyama sells green teas both loose and in bags: www.yamamotoyama.com/loosetea.htmlwww.yamamotoyama.com/teabag.htmlwww.yamamotoyama.com/catalog.pdfTheir hoji cha (roasted green tea) and genmai cha (green tea with roasted brown rice) are nice. If you don't mind being a non-purist, I live on Bigelow's green tea with lemon at work. Still good in the cup after it's gone cold....
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Matcha
Feb 9, 2008 17:47:08 GMT -5
Post by inume on Feb 9, 2008 17:47:08 GMT -5
I've had genmai cha before at a friend's - it's good stuff. It definately has a nutty character from the roasted rice. I don't mind being a non-purist - I like trying things the traditional way and the modern way. Tea that's still tastey when cold is always a good stand by.
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Matcha
Feb 20, 2008 11:48:56 GMT -5
Post by mojuko on Feb 20, 2008 11:48:56 GMT -5
Genmai cha is my daily tea of choice. Just some thoughts on matcha, for those who don' study. I order from several places, including tea circle, but one source not mentioned here is www.maikotea.comThey have a wide variety of teas available and will alert you when the first harvest is coming in. I am still finishing off the gyokuro from Mays harvest... In reguards to matcha powder, there are several different varieties and grades...from a practice grade on up. If you are planning on basic usucha (thin tea), you do not need as high a quaility matcha as you need for koicha (thick tea). On another note, even the person who prepares the tea will affect the flavor. Water temp and wisking affect flavor. Wisking tea is an art, and the amount and skill will be reflected in the flavor of the tea.
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Matcha
Feb 20, 2008 13:21:35 GMT -5
Post by Noriko on Feb 20, 2008 13:21:35 GMT -5
You may be able to find all sorts of loose teas at a local natural goods store or co-op- these sorts of places usually have all sorts of neat gustatory treats in stock and teas may be available in bulk. I have some tea I bought in Nara... but it's been a year so it's probably gone bad by now. I drank a lot of tea while I was in Japan but since it was summer, it was always served cold (or in ice cream form...)
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Matcha
Feb 20, 2008 14:43:41 GMT -5
Post by solveig on Feb 20, 2008 14:43:41 GMT -5
Noble Cousins!
Greetings from Solveig! Sencha is my daily tea of choice. Genmai cha is a bit low class.
Historically, matcha leaves were kept in sealed ceramic tsubo (urns) until they were ground in a stone mill and then used. Today, you usually buy preground matcha. I used to patronize a store in Tokyo which had their own motorized tea grinder continuously grinding tea on the display floor. My tea teachers generally refrigerated their ground tea until use. Before actually making matcha, you should de-lump the powder by forcing it through a sieve.
What is going on? You are trying to prevent either fermentation or oxidation prior to use. You are also attempting to prevent lumps.
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bovil
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Posts: 411
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Matcha
Feb 20, 2008 15:03:29 GMT -5
Post by bovil on Feb 20, 2008 15:03:29 GMT -5
I have some tea I bought in Nara... but it's been a year so it's probably gone bad by now. If we're talking loose tea (not powdered matcha) and it's in a good airtight canister, it won't go bad, it will just fade over time.
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Matcha
Feb 20, 2008 15:05:12 GMT -5
Post by mojuko on Feb 20, 2008 15:05:12 GMT -5
Greetings Solveig! yes, I know that genmai cha is esentially made of stems left over from the sorting of sencha and gyokuro, but I love the earthy flavor the rice adds. When I want for a high class tea, I use my gyokuro, or shade grown tea. best brewed in water at 40c.
When you are using macha for tea ceremony, you should remove it from refrigeration and let it start to warm to room temp before trying to sift or prepare it, otherwise it will develop 'static' and will not create the proper 'mountain' in your natsume.
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bovil
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Posts: 411
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Matcha
Feb 20, 2008 15:11:51 GMT -5
Post by bovil on Feb 20, 2008 15:11:51 GMT -5
I suggest that you order from Tea Circle: www.tea-circle.com/. I've been buying stuff from these folks for several years now. I would, of course, like to mail-order tea directly from specialty stores in Japan, but I haven't worked that out. Ooh... They're up in Rohnert Park. That's a bit of a schlep for me, but not too bad for Saionji-dono.
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chado
New Member
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Matcha
Feb 26, 2008 18:51:46 GMT -5
Post by chado on Feb 26, 2008 18:51:46 GMT -5
I buy from www.matchaandmore.com and am very satisfied. The proprietress is a member of the Chicago Urasenke Association, as well as a teacher, and imports all of the tea and tea-containing products (like the matcha candies) on an as-ordered basis, in order to ensure freshness. This does add a week or two to the order processing time, but I have found her to be extremely helpful.
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