13 Tasting Notes
I started this review on Super Bowl Sunday on my phone, but am glad it was really difficult to type on there. It’s also why I’ve found it difficult to write more reviews on here. I gave up and drank it another time. Which turned out better since I didn’t stick it in a thermos and take it with me.
I started my drinking of teas with greens. Salada to be exact. Then I quickly tried a loose Alvita green tea they don’t make anymore. Later on I started ordering from Adagio. Anyway, Matsuda’s sencha is an occasional green for me. I usually have it on hand but have it only on occasion. I drink black teas more often now, so greens are made on weekend more than anything.
This particular one is grown by a family in Japan and sold by Harney and Sons. The leaves are a bright green, which leads to pale green when brewed. It is easy to overbrew, and notes of spinach develop when done so. This drinking I made one infusion at 165 degrees for three minutes. When I’ve had a good amount of time, I often will brew this three times, starting with one minute and working to three.
When brewed well, there is a pleasing and not bitter vegetable taste to it.The website says nori, and that may be true. It’s one of my favorites, but also one I like to have on occasions I can slowly drink it. If any part of the process or drinking is in haste, I find it quite wasted.
Preparation
A few years back, I did a review on here. But I haven’t posted since and have read a lot of reviews, which has inspired me to start. I really liked a guy named scottteaman, but he hasn’t posted in around four years.
Anyway, this is the tea that got me started on tea a little over fifteen years ago. I bought a box on a whim and it quickly became a nightly ritual.Oddly, I would often watch an episode of Cheers while drinking it and relax a little. It was good to laugh and have this to sip on. I highly doubt many people associate Cheers with tea, but I do. My mom soon started drinking tea as well.
Very quickly I would move on to loose green teas from China and then Japan. It was soon forgotten. But a while back I bought a box on a whim again to see how it compared. It’s noticeably stronger than most green teas. It’s clearly not fancy, but it is good. I try and always keep some on hand when it calls to me. I think it goes is perfect with Chinese food. A few months ago I even brewed a cup and watched an episode of Cheers like I used and it felt the same. It’s enjoyable and I have memories of it. Really, you can’t beat that.
Preparation
Drinking tea is 50% present-moment sensory impressions; 50% nostalgia. (Got my mom-in-law a small box of Salada as a stocking stuffer a few seasons back; she loved it so much, you’d think it was that pricey 20-year-old stuff!)
That’s very true! Having great memories with tea is a large part of it for me. Whether with friends or family, or alone after work with a cup and a shortbread, I associate it with relaxing and being happy.
I will be posting again after almost 4.5 years, maybe in about a week or so. Great review QC. :)
That’s really cool! Welcome back. I need to start posting more. I have a lot of teas(and nicer than this one even! haha) I just need to post more.
This has become my favorite day to day tea. It smells almost florals, and brews up very clean and strong. I also like it with or without additives, without a bad cup however I make it. I’ve been letting friends try it and each get nearly as hooked, including my coffee loving brother!
