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Victoria wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 29, 2019 6:21 pm

Arrrr ...well you can start with that one first then . I’m most excited to try his 20th anniversary Sae Midori, his description makes it sound like Satsuma’s creamy umami richness, ‘Lot's of umami, nice velvety mouth-feel’. Yummm.

This is hopefully arriving here tomorrow ... but it has not arrived stateside yet ... definitely opening this up right away.

Standard Shincha SM ... hoping for later this week.

I think I will open all 3 selections upon arriving ... rarely do I do that.

20th Anniversary SM from O-Cha arrived!

3 of a kind ... decorative wrap.

Still waiting for mine...

Gold foil bags ...

swordofmytriumph wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 30, 2019 12:51 pm

Still waiting for mine...

I ordered mine realllly quickly.

Pretty shiny! Must see contents.....

Can’t wait to hear your impressions @Chip. Interesting that he is shipping from Fukushima, he must be back there now. Did you use EMS shipping or the next level down? I think mine is 4-7 days, in Tokio right now.

Opened and weighing out for tomorrow morning. The leaves are deeeep green and more needle-like than standard fukamushi.

I always try to open the day before to allow all the nitrogen to escape ... and allow the leaves to breath the free air. I feel this activates the leaves ... regenerates them.

True or false? I think there is a degree of truth to this.

Victoria wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 30, 2019 12:58 pm

Can’t wait to hear your impressions Chip. Interesting that he is shipping from Fukushima. Did you use EMS shipping or the next level down? I think mine is 4-7 days, in Tokio right now.

His home and wife are in Fukashima. After the disaster, he was a bit of a refugee and moved south. Lived on Tsuen property I think.

But after the all clear, he moved back.

There is 0 detectable radiation where he lives.

He used to surf, he does not anymore ...

EMS ... always for shincha!

I am not going to spoil anybody's experience by disclosing too much ... yet.

But in general terms, the 20th Anniversary SM is going to be different than any SM you have likely ever tried. It is inspiring.

If this does not rock you, you are likely brewing it too conservatively.

There is a trifecta of distinct macro flavors that are not ... singing in 3 part harmony like Crosby, Stills, and Nash. They are almost vying for attention.

The flavors linger, resonate, echo on the palate literally minutes later.

I will also say this, do not be afraid to amp it up, turn up the volume (more leaf) for this song ... and play the extended version (brew longer ... a minute) ... but be mindful of temp.

Ok, enough metaphors for 1 day ... blame it on this shincha!

I am approaching 2 grams per ounce water, brewed 60 seconds.

I sense you can really play around with the mix and obtain a wide range of results.

Also received YM from O-Cha. Only brewed once and I feel I was too conservative ... I'll amp it up next time and report back.

Chip, Sounds really exciting. Love your description;

There is a trifecta of distinct macro flavors that are not ... singing in harmony like Crosby, Stills, and Nash.

Sounds jazzy. Am looking forward to trying it and oh what a great photo capture, rich and creamy.

Victoria wrote: ↑

Wed May 01, 2019 5:35 pm

Chip, Sounds really exciting. Love your description;

There is a trifecta of distinct macro flavors that are not ... singing in harmony like Crosby, Stills, and Nash.

Sounds jazzy. Am looking forward to trying it and oh what a great photo capture, rich and creamy.

This is the 2nd steep for this fukamushi. The 2nd steep of their standard fuka SM is like pea soup.

So not as murky green as their regular fuka SM, nor as light and transluscent as the asa Satsuma SM 2018.

And yeah, I did not touch on the mouth feel ... you will have to wait to try it.

I placed an order with Maiko last night. I had also noticed the strangely low prices, and as of a few weeks ago the crazy expensive shipping costs, however, the shipping was more reasonable this time.

Chip - I will let you know how the Kinari tastes