Hamasaen Co., LTD.

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Recent Tasting Notes

70

I found this tea at a local grocery store that carries Japanese products. I only paid about $5 CAD for it which is extremely cheap for 40g. It doesn’t look or taste like a ceremonial grade, however, I think that it’s a great inexpensive matcha for drinking daily in lattes and such, and mixing into smoothies and other recipes. It’s a good starter matcha for someone who doesn’t want an extremely bold flavor and also doesn’t want to spent a lot of money. It has a relatively mild taste compared to ceremonial grade. It isn’t as earthy or as full bodied and bitter as ceremonial. It’s also decently green (a bright light green) and comes in a nice resealable pack.

Flavors: Earth, Grass, Moss, Seaweed, Tannic, Umami, Vegetal

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 2 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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90
drank Houji-cha by Hamasaen Co., LTD.
69 tasting notes

(Free sample provided by Hamasaen. Thank you!)

Setup

- Vessel: Glass teapot (250 ml)
- Leaf: 6 grams
- Water: 100 Celsius
- Steeping time: 2 × 30 seconds

Leaf & Infusion

Dry leaf – The dry leaf itself gives a poor impression, dull brownish tones of broken and frail leaves, just like a random of autumn dry leaf pile. But these leaves give out a deep roasted background with notes of dried sawdust, giving a clue that these aren’t just a random bunch of leaves. Not many twigs either.

Wet leaf – As the leaves increased in volume I’m having a difficult time finding the twigs among them, and the leaf color show some changes of dark olive green tones along the veins. Similar change can be seen with Dan Cong Oolong.

Infusion I (30s) – This is where the magic starts, that is if you follow exact instructions provided by the producer/seller. I tried my ways, all which ended in poorer results. First 30 second infusion gives a clear liqour with cognac tone that is more common with some darker Oolongs such as Oriental Beauty or Da Hong Pao. With first sip of Hojicha that I’ve never tasted before I got something that I wasn’t expecting: light mouthfeel and rich and intensive comeback of roasted, caramel and even some fruity sweetness on the front of the tongue. The aftertaste is intense and long lasting with constant intensity with each sip. Now I get why
this tea is drank after the meal; the palate gets saturated in “sweet” notes as taste buds take a rest from heavier flavors. A perfect slow-sipper.

Infusion II (30s)Second infusion proves to be a more sweet and less roasted/caramel, fruity aspect keeps up the pace and there can be sensed a particular sugary bite in the throat. Liquor color has slightly shifted to orange tone.

Conclusion – Very pleasing tea, not an everyday drinker (at least not for me), something to be highly considered for calming down taste buds after flavorful meals and as solution to sinless caramel crave. Did I mention it’s low in caffeine?

I adapted this tasting note from my blog post that I wrote the other day:
http://dobricajevi.blogspot.com/2012/11/houjicha-hamasa-en.html#more

Ysaurella

your pics are really beautiful on your blog – very nice review as well

kOmpir

Thank you :)

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86

A review of Green Tea Powder by Hamasaen

Company: Hamasaen Trading Co.
Tea Name: Green Tea Powder
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region: Japan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ teaspoon of tea powder
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: soft green; like misty green
Leaf Characteristics: tea powder is very smooth and creamy looking and by this I mean it seems more like flour since it is more for cooking/baking than perhaps for drinking.

Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 180 Fahrenheit
Time: 45 seconds

I am finishing the last of this Green Tea Powder; sadly I must try and obtain more; but not sure of when. Anyhow, scraping together a small teaspoon of the powder and putting it in my cup and adding boiled water; I stir slowly at first than faster and tea is foaming nicely as this may be because the water is very hot and steamy. I liked that it is frothy with creamy foam hiding the dark green underneath. It is like ocean foam which is good; this tea aroma is that of the oceanic seaweed and dewy, to make one think of fish and seafood perhaps.

I take sip after sip of this tea and it is very nice. I like everything about this tea. This was a good purchase on my part from the Miso Market in Cambridge. Thank you for carrying such wonderful products, the likes of this Green Tea Powder.

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 0 min, 45 sec

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86

A review of Green Tea Powder by Hamasaen

Date: 11/09/2012
Company: Hamasaen
Tea Name: Green Tea Powser
Tea Type/ Green tea powder
Region: Japan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ teaspoon
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: a very bright green
Leaf Characteristics:

Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 180 Fahrenheit
Time: 1 – 3 minutes

Note: I woke up this morning wanting for a cup of Matcha and I reached for this Green Tea Powder that I have had and enjoyed. So nothing newly; I simply take a teaspoon of the green powder and put in a tea cup and I pour the boiled water into the cup and begin stirring it until all the tea powder has dissolved. I am always amazed at how green the tea is and smells strongly of the sea…seaweed like or marine algae. When I sip it, a nice light tinge in on my palate upon swallowing the tea and I take another sip and another until the tea is gone.

In recent past I have tried both the matcha teas and this green tea powder cold and hot; I find I prefer them hot and this is because of the warmth that comes with holding a hot cup of tea in your hand; as this makes you want to hug it or hold it tighter; whereas if it is cold you simply want to be done with it and put it away.

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 2 min, 0 sec

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86

A review of Matcha (Green Tea Powder) by Hamasaen

Date: 10/25/2012
Company: Hamasaen
Tea Name: Green Tea Powder
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region: Japan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/ Tea powder
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Green
Leaf Characteristics: Matcha smells very green, swampy wet rainy smells like dew. True scent is umami and marine algae smell.

Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 170 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes

Note: I have not matcha for many days now and this morning I opted for a small cup of matcha tea powder. It is infused and whisk gently for two minutes and the tea’s color is a lovely green and smell wonderfully of grassy marine algae. As I stare out the window sipping this tea, it looks cloudy and it is to rain later on. I think this tea in the cup makes me contemplative of the rain about to happen later in the next few days.

I miss the days when I lived not too far from the ocean and I could smell and feel the shores waves as they lap up over the walls sometime. It is quite a sight to see and to be a part of. All this is envision as I am taking sip after sip of this tea.

I don’t know when I can visit this Miso Market to obtain more of this tea and some other munchies and groceries. Oh well, in all this Green Tea Powder (Omatcha 40G) is very enjoyable; has been and continues to live up to flavor and taste. I do not keep it in fridge as directed to do.

I am kind of weird like that; since it is dried powder, it is in cupboard with other dried teas. Sorry to not comply.

Preparation
170 °F / 76 °C 2 min, 0 sec

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86

A review of Matcha (Green Tea Powder) by Hamasaen

Date: 10/10/2012
Company: Hamasaen
Tea Name: Matcha (Green Tea Powder)
Tea Type/Varietal: Green tea powder
Region: Japan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ spoonful
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: bright green
Leaf Characteristics: the tea powder is a very bright green, that minty / misty green color and seems very smooth in texture.

Note: I decided to have a cup of this matcha this morning to load up on Vitamin C. I took one mug and add one teaspoon of the matcha into the mug and take the already boiled water pouring this into my cup and stirring it as I do this. Once I have added enough water I continue to stir it making sure all of the powder mixture has diluted.

Matcha tea has a unique aroma all on its own. Tea’s aroma is cleanly astringent; that marine algae with the ocean breeze nearby. Since I did not whisk the matcha there is no foam or frostiness in my cup. It is just green tea in truest form. I take a sip and another sip and as I swallow I met with the veggies taste of broccoli with a smooth and creamy finish. If I say cream of broccoli soup, I am exaggerating.

This matcha is not sweet/ as in sugary; it is plain and good for you. It has a vegetative quality that keeps true to what a matcha tea should taste like. One could go as so much to say it has not been tempered with.

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 3 min, 0 sec

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86

A review of Matcha (Green Tea Powder) by Hamasaen

Date: 10/05/2012
Company: Hamasaen
Tea Name: Green Tea Powder
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region: Japan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/ Tea powder
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Green
Leaf Characteristics: Matcha smells very green, swampy wet rainy smells like dew. True scent/taste “umami” and marine algae smell.

Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 160 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes

Note: The smell of this green powder is like being at the beach when the tide has come in bringing with it the green algae/sea weeds from the sea. It is fresh smelling and the color is a lovely frothy green color.

I purchased with this matcha, a small wooden spoon for measuring and to spoon it with. I cut open the package as instructed to do and opened the air tight pouch revealing a very smooth greenish powder that smells like the sea; sea breeze in fact.

I take one teaspoon of the powder and place this in my mug and add some already boiled water to into my cup, just fill halfway. I take the spoon and begin swirl the powder with the water until it dissolves. I made sure it is all smooth and frothy with none of the powder caked into the mug.

What we have in color is a lovely frothy green and looks very inviting. I take a sip and I met with the astringency of the matcha; it is not bitter but more like green veggies without salt or seasoning. I continue to sip the tea until the astringency is not as noticeable with the first sip.

Overall, this Matcha is smooth and rich in texture and does not need anything else. It is good to enjoy alone, with milk or as a cooking additive.

Preparation
170 °F / 76 °C 2 min, 0 sec
gmathis

I’m just curious—what would you make using plain “unflavored” matcha as an additive? (I’ve been reading all these rave matcha reviews lately and I’m getting quite curious.)

ms.aineecbeland

On the label it said: Use it as topping for ice cream or yogurt. Use as an ingredient for cooking and dessert.

Perhaps I don’t understand. I am no cook either.

ms.aineecbeland

I forgot to mention that I am trying to review inexpensive matcha so that when I review those fine matcha I can do justice to them; I hope. I have Stash Tea Matcha and it was fine; this Matcha is lovely, creamy frothy texture; great umami; mouth watering Matcha. so what am I going to do when sampling these other fine grade Matcha…go crazier/craziest. No, just honest review. I like matcha, so hopefully this will not change.

Do forgive my rants. I am not well.

gmathis

Your rants are just fine! My favorite little Asian grocery has some inexpensive matcha powder…I agree with you; a “just plain” one may be the best place for me to start.

ms.aineecbeland

My rants are not fine, but thank you for comment. I like your photo image and the name gmathis…one could politely rant on as well. But I will not. Bye!

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