This is my first time trying this tea. My brain hurts a little seeing little puffy clouds of puffed rice and what appears to be hamster poo all mixed in with some very vegetal smelling green tea. There were no instructions about brewing so I used a tsp in 98 deg [probably too hot in hindsight] for 4mins. The cup smelled much nuttier than before and very vegetal, which was the predominate taste. I added agave nectar to sweeten before I had tasted it and I wish I hadn’t – next time I will drink it unsweetened. I almost feel like eating something with marmite on it with this tea – strange.
I will drink the rest of my sampler, but I’m not sure if I will buy more.
My default for green teas I haven’t tried before with is 77C for two and a half minutes. 98 is way too hot and four minutes is a bit too long. It would be worth trying the lower temperature and shorter steeping time with this one to see if you like it better next time.
You’re right for sure – too hot for too long. Maybe I’m just too intense for green tea lol! I will try that thanks so much I will let you know how it goes :)
I still haven’t tried Genmaicha, but it sounds yummy!
Re:temperature, most of my green tea says 160-180 F degrees, 3 minutes, so I would try something in that range. :)