drank Tsuji San's Matcha Asahi by Rishi Tea
1602 tasting notes

May 2022 harvest

I’ve had another of this matcha master’s Asahi cultivar matcha from a vendor based in Japan. Looking to skirt the high shipping charge from Japan, I ordered from Rishi.

This is good matcha, though nowhere near as great as the other one. Great color and foam, muted aroma; flavor is a little watered down for the amount of powder used and leans rather floral and like cucumber. Texture is not as silky as I’ve experienced with the other Asahi cultivar matcha. In fact, it’s kind of chalky. Perhaps this a function of age, since it was probably milled late last year or early this year (it is now October).

Not worth the high price to me.

Flavors: Algae, Cacao, Chalk, Cucumber, Custard, Floral, Macadamia, Moss, Roasted Nuts

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

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100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

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