25 Tasting Notes
I usually enjoy my black teas more on the weaker side.
My parameters: 95 °C/300 ml/5 g/20 sec; up to 3 infusions
This tea is a mix of twisted and broken leaves with some larger stem pieces. When infused they all became mushy.
Despite the short steeping time this tea was full bodied and intensive. The taste was mellow and sweet with subtle aroma of musky and malt. No bitterness or astringency.
Pics: http://teapictres.blogspot.de/2015/03/tsukigase-first-flush-by-creha-tea.html
Preparation
Matcha Shosen shows the complex aromatics of umami with a wonderful balance of richness and fullness accompanied by sweetness and subtle bitterness.
It is definitely one of those few inexpensive Matcha which makes a perfect everyday treat, provided that you enjoy a rich umami flavor
Read the full review with photos:
http://matchaenthusiast.blogspot.de/2015/01/matcha-review-matcha-shosen-by.html
Flavors: Bitter, Sweet, Umami
Preparation
I bought a sample of this tea and therefore provide only a first impression.
I decided against the recommended steeping method from Yunomius.
I gave gongfu cha a try with this tea and it turned out to be a good idea.
My parameters: 2g/80ml/95°C/10-20se, up to 10 infusions
The smell of the dried leaves was a little bit difficult to describe: for me it was a slight scent of lactic acid which even the steeped leaves had.
The color of the liquor was a clear honey-yellow with the same smell. The smell did not appear stronger or weaker.
The flavor was characterized by a mild sweetness with a slight acid base note. The sweetness was more or less neutral, maybe a touch of honey? but I´m not really sure.
The acid notes were wonderfully refreshing and discreetly lemony.
Flavors: Honey, Lemon
Preparation
I really enjoyed drinking Cha Ginza: Roasted Matcha. It is an unique Matcha which has an intense scent of roasted flavors with a light seaweed note.
A full-bodied taste and a long and smooth finish made this Matcha so enjoyable.
Read the full review with photos:
http://matchaenthusiast.blogspot.de/2014/12/matcha-review-cha-ginza-roasted-matcha.html
Flavors: Coffee, Nutty, Roasted, Sweet, Umami
Preparation
High aromatic when water is poured on the leaves, a smell of honey and different fruit notes caressed my nose.
The taste was quite nice, sweet, fruity, slightly crisp, mellow with a smooth thick texture.
Flavors: Fruity, Honey
Preparation
A nice everyday tea.
The dried leaves smelled grassy and were a mix of broken large tea leaves and stems.
I used 250ml of boiling water to 3g of tea for 30 sec for the first two infusions. 4 infusions were possible.
The liquor was a pale greenish yellow with a subtle flavor of hay-like sweetness.
It´s a mild tea with a short finish.
Flavors: Grass, Hay
Preparation
This is one of a few organic Matcha which I really enjoyed so far.
Suitable as Usucha and Koicha with an intensive scent.
A slightly lighter body with a creamy texture, a sweet flavor, no bitterness at all and a nice taste of umami which was not too overpowering.
Read the full review with photos:
http://matchaenthusiast.blogspot.de/2014/11/matcha-review-cha-ginza-matcha-gold-by.html
Flavors: Seaweed, Sweet, Umami
Preparation
The smell was sweet and roasty, very pleasant.
My parameters:
3g/350ml/90°C/30sec/30sec/1min/1,5min/2min
multiple infusions possible
The liquor is golden brown with toasty aromas underpinned with a light sweetness.
The taste:
toasty, very slightly sweet (?), reminds me a little of diluted malt coffee, no bitterness at all.
Houjicha is also great for cold steeping overnight in the refrigerator.
Flavors: Malt, Toasty
Preparation
Tancho-no-mukashi is an aromatic Matcha with great color and texture. Easy to sift and easy to foam up. This Matcha is according to Ippodo suitable for both Usucha and Koicha.
Prepared as Usucha it has a more one dimensional taste which nonetheless results in a harmonious overall taste.
Prepared as Koicha the taste had slightly vegetal bitter notes which lingered for a long time on the palate. With the first sip I could taste some sweet notes that then were easily covered up by the bitter notes. It is definitely not a Matcha which I prefer prepared as Koicha. But for its price Tancho-no-mukashi is making a good everyday Matcha.
Read the full review with photos:
http://matchaenthusiast.blogspot.de/2014/11/matcha-review-tancho-no-mukashi-by.html
Flavors: Bitter, Smooth, Sweet
Preparation
The color of the dried Matcha powder is a vivid dark green.
This Matcha is suitable for Usucha and Koicha.
Prepared as Usucha it foamed up really nicely with a very bright green foam.
Sipping this Matcha resulted in an overwhelming sharpness in the beginning that turned in a sweet and aromatic body and ended with a light umami aftertaste. Maybe I should mention that I’m very sensitive to sharpness. The texture was very smooth.
Prepared as Koicha this Matcha wasn´t my liking at all, too much sharpness.
Read the full review with photos:
http://matchaenthusiast.blogspot.de/2014/11/matcha-review-tsukikage-by-ippodo.html
Flavors: Seaweed, Spicy, Sweet