Dear Sir and Madam,
We at Hibiki-an THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your continued patronage and support.
We are pleased to offer useful information for your healthy life and continued
enjoyment of Japanese green tea. In this issue, we talk about 'Tea Competition (Competition Grade Tea)'.
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Executives of the tea industry association serve as judges of the exclusive competition. They strictly judge and critique the contributed teas to provide feedback to tea farmers and producers in order to improve Japanese tea. Contributed teas are judged on appearance, aroma, flavor, color of the brewed tea infusion, used tea leaves, and so on for each category: Gyokuro, Sencha, and Matcha. In the case of Matcha, Tencha, which is the form before being ground into powder, is evaluated.
Toward the end of the competition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries selects the most excellent tea in each category: Gyokuro, Sencha, and Matcha. All teas contributed to the exclusive competition are generally of premium quality. And, if the judges find any defect, imperfection, or area that needs improvement, this information is passed on to the tea farmers so that they can improve their agricultural techniques.
When the judges evaluate the tea's appearance, the tea leaves are checked for uniformity of shape and color: bright, deep green, etc. More healthy and vigorous tea leaves are bright and deep green. And the most unique feature of teas contributed to the competition is that they are quite short and fine, like tiny green needles, because they are harvested as very young tea sprouts and processed accordingly. Although generally the best time to gather tea leaves is when the tea tree has five sprouts, and three sprouts for even the highest grade tea, these tea leaves are picked when the tea tree has only one or two sprouts. It is quite different from general teas which are not so fine like needles. And farmers specially process the tea so the leaves retain their fine needle shape for the exclusive tea competition.
When the judges critique the color of the brewed tea infusion, teas are evaluated for color brightness and imperfections. Tea which is healthy and vigorous has a very bright color. If the tea leaves have any imperfections, even if quite small, the imperfection can be identified in the brewed tea infusion. Negative indications include a red or black tint to the brewed infusion or an infusion that is too yellow, along with turbidity, strength or intensity, deposition condition, and so on.
As for the aroma and flavor, teas are evaluated for generous, smooth, and mellow flavor and aroma, and various imperfections. Teas contributed to the National Tea Competition usually have a full and generous flavor that is smooth, mellow, and deep, along with the fresh aroma of young sprouts. Gyokuro and Matcha have an especially noble aroma created by shading the tea plants from sunlight for more than 20 days before harvest.
above, teas contributed to the competition are harvested when the tea tree has only one or two sprouts. In general, the flavor of the tea becomes more intense when the tea tree produces two to five sprouts. When the tree has only one or two sprouts, the flavor is usually quite weak because the tea tree is unable to fully absorb nutrition from the soil. Therefore, to grow tea for the National Tea Competition, farmers must encourage the tea trees to absorb much more nutrition from fertilizer when the tea tree has only one or two sprouts. It is common for even the highest grade teas to be harvested when the tea tree has three to five sprouts. It is very difficult and requires knowledge and wisdom accumulated through time and tradition and daily great efforts. The knowledge accumulated through growing teas for the National Tea Competition not only helps to improve the farming and production of high grade tea, improved techniques learned through tea production can often be used in other areas of agriculture, all around Japan.
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| The site of the national tea competition |
Evaluating the appearance of Gyokuro and Sencha |
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| Evaluating the appearance of Matcha (Tencha) |
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| Evaluating water color |
Evaluated teas are sorted in descending order |
Evaluating aroma |
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Evaluating flavor |
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Competition Grade Tea page: click here
What is Blended Sencha?: click here
This item is limited edition of 250 packages available at this time only. It is unknown how many years it may be before we could sell Award Competition Grade again. (shopping page: click here)
This Competition Grade Matcha won the Production Agency Head Award, and finished second place at the 2013 National Tea Fair of Japan.
The price of tea finished in the second or third highest place is more moderate than the first highest place tea, though there is no significant difference in quality. Indeed, it seems that the mellowness and deepness of this Matcha is almost the same as last year's #1 Awarded Competition Matcha, which the farmer won the first highest award in 2012, and the color may possibly be even brighter. Besides, our set price is actual production cost with minimum shipping charges, in order for many customers to enjoy this as easily as possible.
We are certain this Matcha will be the ICHIGO ICHIE (*) precious experience
of your life.
(*) ICHIGO ICHIE, which was first said by tea ceremony inventor Rikyu Sen (1522-1591), means "treasure each encounter, for it will never reoccur" in Japanese.
2013 Award Competition Grade Matcha shopping page: click here
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| The unique flavor, deep mellow taste and fresh young aroma of this 2013 Award Competition Grade Matcha is outstanding even in upper level competition Matcha. |
Color of this 2013 Award Competition Matcha is much brighter green than any other upper level competition Matcha. |
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2013 Award Competition Grade Matcha shopping page: click here
Competition Grade Tea and Blended Sencha are limited edition of just 450 packages each and Blended Sencha are limited edition of just 600 packages each ONLY AVAILABLE this winter season.
(Competition Grade Matcha Pinnacle Refill)
We at Hibiki-an have received many requests for a value refill package
of Competition Grade Matcha. If you would like to purchase a large amount
of Competition Grade Matcha Pinnacle in bulk, would you please take a look?
The price is actually discounted 17%.
Competition Grade Tea
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(Now Available: limited edition of 450 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this winter season)
This Competition Grade Gyokuro Pinnacle has an excellent, deeply mellow taste. The National Tea Competition is held in order to improve Japanese tea agricultural and manufacturing techniques, and to congratulate and encourage those that have produced outstanding tea... |
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(Now Available: limited edition of 450 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this winter season)
Competition Grade Sencha Pinnacle is available only at the National Tea Fair, attended by tea connoisseurs and those within the Japanese green tea industry. This fine green tea has an excellent, deeply mellow taste... |
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(Now Available: limited edition of 450 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this winter season)
This Competition Grade Matcha Pinnacle has an excellent, deeply mellow taste. The National Tea Competition is held several times a year in Japan. Sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and attended by executives of the Japanese tea industry... |
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(Now Available: As requested by many customers, this value package was newly added for the Competition Grade Tea season.)
This Competition Grade Matcha Premium Refill package is an excellent value. The price is actually discounted 17%. This has an excellent, deeply mellow taste. The National Tea Competition is held several times a year in Japan. Sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries...
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2013 Award Competition Grade Matcha
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(Now Available: This item is limited edition of 250 packages available at this time only. It is unknown how many years it may be before we could sell Award Competition Grade again.)
This Matcha won the Production Agency Head Award, and finished second place at the 2013 National Tea Fair of Japan. The price of tea finished in the second or third highest place is more moderate than the first highest place tea, though there is no significant difference in quality... |
Blended Sencha
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(Now Available: limited edition of 600 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this winter season)
Blended Sencha Super Premium is a blend of Ohiwase and Meiryoku breeds of green tea. These tea leaves are sprouts that are small and soft and not fully-grown... |
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(Now Available: limited edition of 600 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this winter season)
Blended Sencha Premium is a blend of Sencha and Gyokuro. This tea is composed of four breeds of green tea: Kanayamidori, Sayamakaori, Yabukita, and Okumidori... |
Competition Grade Tea page: click here
What is Blended Sencha?: click here
Are you enjoying your green moments? Hibiki-an encourages those who love
to drink green tea. If you have any requests or questions regarding our
teas or services, please don't hesitate to contact us. We sincerely hope
that you enjoy genuine Hibiki-an Japanese green tea direct to you from
Kyoto, Japan.
Sincerely yours,
Atsushi Yasui
The combination of green tea with gold flakes makes a beautiful presentation. Gold is an ancient symbol of prosperity, and adds significance to any special occasion.
At Hibiki-an, we offer Golden Celebration Gyokuro and also Golden Celebration Matcha. Golden Celebration teas are also a perfect gift for any special occasion. In Japan people enjoy Golden Celebration tea on New Year's Day as part of a long-standing tradition. The tea is consumed while praying for the welfare of the household, and appreciating the good fortune of the previous year. It is a special moment, full of happiness and hope for the future.
Please sprinkle the gold flakes over each cup of tea after brewing or each bowl of Matcha after preparing the Matcha. The smooth flavor of Gyokuro or Matcha creates a peaceful atmosphere, and the lovely glimmering gold flakes as they float on the surface of the tea delights and occupies the mind.
We hope you enjoy the beauty and flavor of this special blend of gold and our finest tea.
This time, we introduce four Matcha Bowls from the series of Matcha Bowls
featuring SHOHEKIGA paintings of NIJO Castle.
NIJO Castle is not only a Japanese national treasure but also a world heritage site listed in 1994. All of the 954 paintings on FUSUMA sliding doors and murals called SHOHEKIGA at NIJO Castle are designated as nationally important cultural properties. The SHOHEKIGA paintings are from the KANO school, which was the largest and most significant school in the history of Japanese painting.
We, Hibiki-an and Zenshoh Yamaoka, who is the leading expert of paintings derived from masterpieces in the middle ages, cooperated and arranged a series of Matcha Bowls featuring SHOHEKIGA paintings of NIJO Castle.
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MATSU TAKA ZU was painted for the OHIROMA great hall, where is decorated with paintings that honored the SHOGUN emperor. When the DAIMYO vassal lords looked up to see the SHOGUN emperor, they felt as if the great pine tree arced above the SHOGUN emperor...
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KIKU ZU was painted for the KUROSHOIN rooms, where the SHOGUN emperor carried out everyday tasks with his followers, are decorated with relaxing, elegant, and gentle paintings of birds, flowers, trees, and so on in order to create an atmosphere of abundant fertility...
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CHIKURIN GUNKO ZU was painted for the west wing of TOHZAMURAI great entrance hall, where is decorated with strong, dynamic paintings in order to show the dignity of the SHOGUN emperor to DAIMYO vassal lords. DAIMYO vassal lords should have felt awed to see paintings of the tiger pride...
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ROGAN ZU was painted for the anterooms of the SHIKIDAI rooms, where are decorated with affable, kindly, and elegant paintings to cultivate a feeling of warm hospitality. This ROGAN ZU is popular because of the affable, kindly, and elegant atmosphere...
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Matcha Bowls featuring NIJO Castle KANO Paintings page: click here
Japanese "Amuse-Bouche" (Foods to Amuse the Mouth)
Traditional Japanese Snacks / Candy pair beautifully with any kind of Japanese tea. Like the French "Amuse-Bouche" their purpose is to amuse the mouth or palate, in this case, while drinking green tea. Since 16th century Japan, they have been refined and improved upon over hundreds of years to create absolute harmony of flavor between the green tea and the delicious sweet confection or savory snack. Such as the feeling you get when you have green tea and sushi together, your palate understands that this is an ideal match of flavor... (more info; click here)
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OHIGASHI is one of the most traditional Japanese confectionary which is often served at Japanese tea ceremony and pairs very well with Japanese green tea. At last, we added OHIGASHI which is made at Tsuboneya, a confectioner in Kyoto well-known for their beautiful confectionary made by hand with careful attention to quality and detail...
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OKAKI rice cracker is one of the most popular and classic snacks in Japan. At last, we added OKAKI which is made at Fujisawa Eiseido known for creating OKAKI using a traditional manufacturing process with careful attention to quality and natural ingredients. This OKAKI is traditionally-made by hand using only natural ingredients sourced only in Japan...
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CONPEITOH is a Japanese traditional sugar confectionery which came to Japan from Portugal in the 16th century. We packaged three kinds of premium CONPEITOH made by traditional processing methods with carefully selected ingredients using sophisticated modern recipes...
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This premium bean snack has a refined subtle flavor: a balance of pleasant nutty aroma of roasted beans and gentle sweet taste of the coating. Only carefully selected ingredients are used and an original manufacturing method is developed...
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This special box of premium SENBEI crackers includes two flavors: MATCHA and GENMAI roasted rice. These modern sophisticated handmade crackers are made by traditional methods, and match very well with all kinds of Japanese tea...
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(Notice 1) Improved Customer Review Posting by Nickname and Picture
We improved our website by adding an option to use a nickname and upload a picture when you post a customer review. Now you can enter a nickname when posting a review in order to remain anonymous. Previously our customer review page requested the reviewer’s real name.
And now our customer review page also allows you to upload and add a picture to your review. Please post your candid review with a picture of our tea and your family, pet, lovely landscape, or anything meaningful to you. It surely would be a great help for other customers to enrich the enjoyment of Japanese tea!
(Notice 2) Price Reduction on All Merchandise
We reduced our prices approximately 4% to 6% on all merchandise on our website due to recent exchange rate fluctuation. The updated price was effective on and after September 1, 2013. This is the second price reduction in the past 6 months and the total reduction range is approximately 15% to 18%. We will continuously make efforts to provide genuine Japanese tea and culture to our customers.
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Japanese Green Tea Hibiki-an
36 Shimonoto Yuyadani
Ujitawara, Kyoto 610-0221
Japan
http://www.hibiki-an.com
![[Limited] Competition Grade Gyokuro Pinnacle (40g/1.41oz)](http://www.hibiki-an.com/images/readings/CompetitionGradeTea/CompetitionGyokuroPinnacle.jpg)
![[Limited] Competition Grade Sencha Pinnacle (40g/1.41oz)](http://www.hibiki-an.com/images/readings/CompetitionGradeTea/CompetitionSenchaPinnacle.jpg)
![[Limited] Competition Grade Matcha Pinnacle (20g/0.71oz)](http://www.hibiki-an.com/images/readings/CompetitionGradeTea/ComeptitionMatchaPinnacle.jpg)
![[Limited] Competition Grade Matcha Pinnacle Refill (60g/2.12oz)](http://www.hibiki-an.com/images/readings/CompetitionGradeTea/ComeptitionMatchaPinnacleRef.jpg)
![[NIJO Castle KANO] MATSU TAKA ZU (by Zenshoh Yamaoka)](http://www.hibiki-an.com/images/upload/Matsutakazu_A01.jpg)
![[NIJO Castle KANO] KIKU ZU (by Zenshoh Yamaoka)](http://www.hibiki-an.com/images/upload/Kikuzu_A01.jpg)
![[NIJO Castle KANO] CHIKURIN GUNKO ZU (by Zenshoh Yamaoka)](http://www.hibiki-an.com/images/upload/Chikuringunkozu_A01.jpg)
![[NIJO Castle KANO] ROGAN ZU (by Zenshoh Yamaoka)](http://www.hibiki-an.com/images/upload/Roganzu_A01.jpg)
