It appears I drank this ages ago but had hoped I was mistaken. After rummaging through all the cupboards a half dozen times I must conclude that I drank it all up within the week it arrived (despite my best efforts).
My memory is hazy on the details, but I recall cold brewing it a lot and mentally dubbing it “the perfect sequel to Anne’s Pineapple Sencha” – which I also enjoyed very much. Have I mentioned I love Japanese sencha? There’s not enough flavoured teas using the base and it turns out that pineapple and/or coconut work very well to convey a mood (marine + tropical fruits = beach life).
On my recent trip to Puerto Vallarta I’d be inspired by this tea to drink many cocktails sharing the name (not usually my tropical cocktail of choice; I’m in a committed relationship with mai tais). The vacation (and drinks) were well received, but I think I prefer Japanese Sencha ever so slightly.
Flavors: Coconut, Floral, Grass, Pineapple, Smooth, Tangy, Tropical, Umami
Preparation
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I love Japanese Sencha so much – it’s just pricy so it’s not something I typically turn to as a base. And – it also has a distinct flavor that the right flavor (or combination of flavors) needs to be paired with it.
For sure – I wish the cost, profile, shelf life, and niche appeal of this tea wasn’t so prohibitive to playing around with it. It’s a real treat for me to have any Japanese Sencha or Gyokuro varieties on hand so was thrilled to see it pop up in your subscription box not once but twice!
Similar to matcha, it takes to pineapple and coconut well :)
I’ll be honest with you – I’m not so comfortable with flavoring Gyokuro. Not just because of the cost but because it’s Gyokuro. I feel like it’s one of those teas that are simply perfect without flavoring. Similar to huángchá – I can’t see me flavoring it because it’s simply perfect without flavoring. I also love a true Jin Xuan – but I have considered lately maybe using it in a blend – because the natural notes in a good Jin Xuan would compliment the flavors I’m contemplating. But I’m still in meetings with myself over it. So, whether or not that will actually happen, time will tell.
Agreed on Gyokuro (and also kabuse sencha). There’s probably some unwritten tea blasphemy law not to tamper with the perfection that is shade-grown Japanese green teas. I only name-dropped it because I recently finished some off and it’s on the top of my mind; whatever Japanese Sencha you used for this green blend and more-so the Pineapple Sencha made me temporarily forget that sad absence. It also satisfied the part of me that’s too lazy to whisk or shake up a matcha lemonade or coconut latte (Note to self: should do that more often).
I believe you’d pull off a fantastic Jin Xuan blend and will definitely be all over that if you proceed down that path! I’ve enjoyed all of your oolong blends that I’ve tried though, regardless of variety or grade, so may be slightly biased.
I love Japanese Sencha so much – it’s just pricy so it’s not something I typically turn to as a base. And – it also has a distinct flavor that the right flavor (or combination of flavors) needs to be paired with it.
For sure – I wish the cost, profile, shelf life, and niche appeal of this tea wasn’t so prohibitive to playing around with it. It’s a real treat for me to have any Japanese Sencha or Gyokuro varieties on hand so was thrilled to see it pop up in your subscription box not once but twice!
Similar to matcha, it takes to pineapple and coconut well :)
I’ll be honest with you – I’m not so comfortable with flavoring Gyokuro. Not just because of the cost but because it’s Gyokuro. I feel like it’s one of those teas that are simply perfect without flavoring. Similar to huángchá – I can’t see me flavoring it because it’s simply perfect without flavoring. I also love a true Jin Xuan – but I have considered lately maybe using it in a blend – because the natural notes in a good Jin Xuan would compliment the flavors I’m contemplating. But I’m still in meetings with myself over it. So, whether or not that will actually happen, time will tell.
Agreed on Gyokuro (and also kabuse sencha). There’s probably some unwritten tea blasphemy law not to tamper with the perfection that is shade-grown Japanese green teas. I only name-dropped it because I recently finished some off and it’s on the top of my mind; whatever Japanese Sencha you used for this green blend and more-so the Pineapple Sencha made me temporarily forget that sad absence. It also satisfied the part of me that’s too lazy to whisk or shake up a matcha lemonade or coconut latte (Note to self: should do that more often).
I believe you’d pull off a fantastic Jin Xuan blend and will definitely be all over that if you proceed down that path! I’ve enjoyed all of your oolong blends that I’ve tried though, regardless of variety or grade, so may be slightly biased.