Boy, am I glad I gave this tea another chance!
I received a generous sample of O-Cha’s Otsuusan from my fellow Green Tea enthusiast Shiobicha, and brewed it up according to my normal parameters a couple weeks back (2 tbsp/155*/1.5mins, first steeping). It came out overwhelmingly sweet and soapy through all three steepings, and I couldn’t even bring myself to finish my iced; diluted final steeping.
Today I was thinking of cracking open something new, but remembered I had samples to work through first. I added two level tbsp to my 10oz kyusu and let my 165* water steep for a little over two minutes. Much to my surprise, the “soapy” taste was almost nowhere to be found in this rich, forest green cup of tea.
The next two steepings (~180 for 2.5 minutes, and boiled thereafter) were rich and tasty — I used a full 10oz for my final steeping, and was still able to get a nice vegetal sweetness that never overwhelmed me in the way my first experience did. Not sure if I’d necessarily buy it, but it’s a fun blend if you don’t mind working to get it right!
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I have a package of this in the fridge, awaiting use. The description from O-Cha describes the taste as “tart”. Did you notice any of this, Cole?
Best wishes,
sherubtse
It has a unique flavor that I haven’t come across before, but I’m not sure if I would describe it as “tart.” I should try and look for it next time I try! :)
Best,
Cole
I had that flavor in mind, and yes, it is very ‘tart’ or ‘sharp.’ I think it depends on the mix of stems and leaves that you get – I found it to have a nice strong marine/gyokuro quality at times, and then at other times overwhelmingly tart, and then a nice balance. It was a nice way to change things up.
Just had the last of this yesterday, and I think I got a better mixture of the karigane this time, as it was a little more “tart.” It’s a tea that keeps on giving!
I have a package of this in the fridge, awaiting use. The description from O-Cha describes the taste as “tart”. Did you notice any of this, Cole?
Best wishes,
sherubtse
It has a unique flavor that I haven’t come across before, but I’m not sure if I would describe it as “tart.” I should try and look for it next time I try! :)
Best,
Cole
I had that flavor in mind, and yes, it is very ‘tart’ or ‘sharp.’ I think it depends on the mix of stems and leaves that you get – I found it to have a nice strong marine/gyokuro quality at times, and then at other times overwhelmingly tart, and then a nice balance. It was a nice way to change things up.
Just had the last of this yesterday, and I think I got a better mixture of the karigane this time, as it was a little more “tart.” It’s a tea that keeps on giving!