 |
| Why is Tencha Flavor a Secret? |
|
| Tencha - Pure Elegant Flavor |
|
|
|
 |
|
| Main Topic |
 |
| Seasonal Topics & Items |
|
|
| 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 'Why is Tencha Flavor a Secret? (Tencha - Pure Elegant Flavor)'. |
|
|
Why is Tencha Flavor a Secret? (Tencha - Pure Elegant Flavor)
|
|
Tencha is the name for tea leaves used for Matcha, before the leaves are ground into fine powder. Traditionally, Tencha was not brewed like Gyokuro or Sencha, because this was neither included in the traditional Tea Ceremony teachings nor allowed.
When tea manufacturers purchase or bid on Tencha from the farmer, or when they process or blend Tencha, they must evaluate each case of tea leaves to check the Aracha process, the finishing process, blending conditions, and so on. To grind Tencha into the fine powder of Matcha requires enormous time and great care. For example, it takes an hour to grind 40g or 70g (1.41oz or 1.47oz) Matcha. In addition, Matcha does not keep fresh as long as Tencha. Once the tea is ground into Matcha, it begins to oxidize and loose its fresh flavor. So, tea manufacturers have traditionally evaluated and bid on Tencha tea leaves, not Matcha. Of course, the manufacturer evaluates the quality of the Matcha at the end of the process, before it is sent to the customer. Even at tea competitions attended by tea manufacturers, tea is evaluated in Tencha tea leaf form, not Matcha powder.
Because of this, only tea manufacturers have known the flavor of Tencha. It has remained secret for many years. The flavor, which is different from Gyokuro and Matcha, is uniquely very pure and elegant, though drinking Tencha is not allowed by the rules of Tea Ceremony. The tea color is pale green, the taste is deep and mellow, and the subtle noble aroma lingers in the mouth for a while.
We would like tea connoisseurs from around the world to discover and enjoy the unique and pure elegant flavor of Tencha.
|
|
|
 |
|
| Tencha tea leaves |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| Evaluating Tencha tea leaves for blending |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| Even at tea competitions, Tencha is evaluated, not Matcha. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[Limited] Tencha is Now Available! |
|
| Both Tencha teas below are limited edition of 600 packages each ONLY AVAILABLE this summer season. We hope you will enjoy the pure and elegant flavor of Tencha! |
|
|
 |
|
[Limited] Tencha Pinnacle (30g/1.06oz) US$31.00 (Now Available)
Traditionally, Tencha was not brewed like Gyokuro or Sencha, because this was not included in the traditional Tea Ceremony teachings. And so, for many years, brewed Tencha has quietly been enjoyed in secret among only a few Matcha manufacturers... |
|
|
|
 |
|
[Limited] Tencha Super Premium (30g/1.06oz) US$23.00 (Now Available)
This Tencha Super Premium has specially been arranged in order to be brewed in the same way as Gyokuro or Sencha. The taste is deep and mellow, and the subtle noble aroma lingers in the mouth for a while... |
|
|
|
 |
|
[Limited] Tencha Premium (60g/2.12oz) US$27.00 (Now Available)
Tea leaves for Tencha (Matcha) are grown in the same way as Gyokuro, but processed differently than Gyokuro. The growing and processing bring the unique excellent flavor of Tencha. Of course, this Tencha also makes a lovely iced tea. The flavor is uniquely elegant... |
|
|
Iced Tencha: click here
Have you tried Iced Tencha? Iced Tencha has a unique, excellent, and noble flavor which is different both from Iced Gyokuro and Matcha... |
|
| What is Tencha?: 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 |
Seasonal Topics & Items
|
|
|
|
|
Cool New Iced Drinks for The Hot Summer! / Iced Tea Recipes from Our Customers |
|
| Here are some new iced tea recipes for you to enjoy. Once you try it, you're sure to love the pure refreshing taste, which brings energy and hydration in hot weather. It's easy to prepare as well; just follow the quick and easy recipes below. We hope you'll try iced green tea and enjoy a refreshing green moment this summer season! |
|
(Iced Tea Recipes from Our Customers) |
| Our customers have posted their original iced tea recipes. You can view the recipes by clicking the Customer Review button below. And would you post your original Iced Tea Recipe? (Picture also can be posted.) It would be a great help for other customers.
|
|
Snowy Mountain Mint GyokuroSimply add a mint leaf or sprig in a glass of iced Gyokuro.
It makes a very refreshing cold drink for the hot summer season, like a cool winter breeze!
(*) You can also enjoy this Iced Sencha recipe made with Gyokuro. |
|
Sunny Lemon SenchaMake iced Sencha as usual and add a slice of lemon for each cup.
This is a healthy and refreshing drink.
Like mineral water, this drink goes well with any kind of meal.
It's rich in vitamin C and other nutrients.
(*) You can also enjoy this Iced Sencha recipe made with Gyokuro. |
|
Soothing Honey-Lemon MatchaMake iced Matcha and add a slice of lemon and a bit of honey. Mix well.
This makes a smooth and lovely drink that is quite soothing in the summer heat and is also good for a sore throat! |
|
Sparkling Matcha SodaMake iced Matcha and add Soda.
Add syrup and a slice of lemon if you want.
This makes a fun and fizzy drink for summer that is both cool and refreshing! |
|
Cool and Creamy Summer HoujichaAdd a few drops of milk to your Houjicha cup.
Because its taste is quite similar to English black tea, it makes a perfect healthy alternative to English black tea. |
|
Spicy Ginger HoujichaAdd just a drop of ginger juice.
You may add syrup if you want.
This drink is a bit spicy. |
|
|
|
Customer Appreciation (Matcha Karigane is Now Available!)
|
|
| [Now Available] In appreciation of our valued customers for their continuous support of Hibiki-an, Matcha Karigane Pinnacle will be included FREE with all orders for the first 3,200 customers. |
|
| As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of Hibiki-an this July, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our valued customers for their continuous support of Hibiki-an. We deeply appreciate your understanding regarding the value and the quality of our teas and services. |
|
|
Special Gift - Matcha Karigane Pinnacle:
|
|
|
|
| We would like to send you a small gift, Matcha Karigane Pinnacle as a token of our gratitude. We will include Matcha Karigane Pinnacle in the order of the first 3,200 customers who place an order at our store
after June 29th. Matcha Karigane has a unique noble flavor because it is
made from the veins and stems of Tencha, which is used to make Matcha...
(more info; click here) |
|
|
 |
|
|
| As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of Hibiki-an this July, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our valued customers for their continuous support of Hibiki-an. We deeply appreciate your understanding regarding the value and the quality of our teas and services. |
|
|
 |
|
We would like to send you a small gift, Matcha Karigane Pinnacle as a token of our gratitude.Matcha Karigane has a unique noble flavor because it is made from the veins and stems of Tencha, which is used to make Matcha. However, even in Japan, Matcha Karigane is difficult to find, because procuring the veins and stems of Tencha and then creating the Matcha Karigane can be a complicated process. Therefore its noble flavor is not well-known even in Japan. We carefully roasted the veins and stems of the Tencha in order to bring out its special noble flavor.We have arranged Matcha Karigane Pinnacle only for this anniversary. Would you please enjoy this unique noble flavor and roasted aroma? |
|
|
|
(How to enjoy Matcha Karigane Pinnacle)
for two cups
- Tea leaves: 1.5 to 2 table spoons (8-10g)
- Water temperature: 176F (80C)
- Amount of water: 200cc
- Waiting time: 1 minute |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
[Limited] Handpainted Glasses, Elegant Yunomi & Matcha Bowl (Summer)
|
|
| We have arranged for some glass tea ware and porcelain, which are all limited
edition only available this summer season. They are all designed with modern,
sophisticated style, while others use traditional handcrafted techniques
for a more traditional design. They will all expand in application depending
on your idea. Please take a look. |
|
|
 |
|
[Limited] TAKE SANKAKUZU (handpainted glass: pair): US$110.00 (Now Available)
Drawing patterns of this pair of sophisticated tumbler glasses are designed in the motif of a traditional paintings of artisans who revived or established flourish schools which both played the most significant role in Japanese painting history... |
|
|
|
 |
|
[Limited] TAKEZU (handpainted glass: 330ml): US$65.00 (Now Available)
This drawing pattern is designed in the motif of a traditional painting called TAKE TORAZU, which was originally drawn by Tanyu Kano (1602 - 1672). He was the great ancestor who revived the KANO school which played the most significant role in Japanese painting history... |
|
|
|
 |
|
[Limited] SANKAKUZU (handpainted glass: 330ml): US$65.00 (Now Available)
This drawing pattern is designed in the motif of a traditional drawing pattern called KAKUZU, which was originally drawn by Hohitsu Sakai (1761 - 11829). This looks like the cranes are standing in the water (bottom of glass); a beautiful effect... |
|
|
|
 |
|
[Limited] HANA KESSHO HANADA (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): US$106.00 (Now Available)
This Matcha bowl is flat and open style. The flat style was originally developed in order to choreograph coolness in the summer season in the Middle Ages. This HANADA color is quite elegant and beautiful like a clear blue sky or crystal clear aqua ocean... |
|
|
|
|
Shincha is Now Available!
|
|
At last, the Shincha Harvest started here in the Uji region!
Shincha teas are now available. We have arranged to add four limited edition Shincha items only available this Shincha harvest season, featuring a few regular Sencha items with especially enjoyable Shincha flavor. And other Sencha regular items are planned to be replaced later by Shincha step by step. Celebrate our first tea harvest of the year with Hibiki-an's Shincha and enjoy the remarkable fresh flavor which can only be experienced once every year!
|
|
Limited edition Shincha items
All items below are limited edition of 1,200 packages each ONLY AVAILABLE this spring harvest season. We have arranged various types of Shincha, which will be specially finished to enjoy Shincha's refreshing aroma and flavor. For more information regarding each item, please click on the links below. We hope you will enjoy the refreshing aroma and smooth flavor of each Shincha item! |
|
|
 |
|
[Limited] Shincha Gyokuro (80g/2.82oz): US$25.00 (Now Available)
With our Shincha Gyokuro you can enjoy both the refreshing aroma of Shincha and the mellow smooth taste of Gyokuro in one cup of tea. In the tea industry, it is called "Kabuse Cha"... |
|
|
|
 |
|
[Limited] Shincha Matcha (30g/1.06oz): US$28.00 (Now Available)
Recently, Shincha Matcha is enjoyed mainly among teachers or masters of tea ceremony. They enjoy the fresh flavor of Shincha Matcha. And they feel delight of the spring season, inspired by the fresh flavor of Shincha Matcha... |
|
|
|
 |
|
[Limited] Shincha Matcha Refill (120g / 4.23oz): US$90.00 (Now Available)
This Shincha Matcha Refill package is an excellent value. The price is actually discounted 20%. Over time, the refreshing aroma will moderate and the flavor will enrich, so that you can enjoy a subtle variation of aroma and flavor with each refill... |
|
|
|
| What is Shincha?: click here
|
|
Almost Regular Sencha and Gyokuro Replaced by New Crop |
| Replacement Status of Regular Teas by New Crop: click here |
|
|
|
(Notice 1) Tracking Delivery Status on our Website
You can now check the delivery status of orders shipped by Express International Delivery on your Account Information (Order History page) on our website. Previously, our customers had to ask us for the tracking number and check the status on their own. Now that the delivery status of orders shipped by Express International is available on our website, this will help to ensure that orders will reach our customers more smoothly. Orders shipped by Standard International Delivery are not trackable, which is the same as in the past. |
|
- Order History page: clicking here.
- Express International Delivery: clicking here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Notice 2) Our New Website / New Smartphone-optimized Website
We recently launched a brand new website to provide an enhanced customer experience. The new design enables you to navigate and interact with the site more easily, including: |
|
- Finding and ordering items from your order history.
- Searching for items more easily in our tea and tea ware shop.
- Enjoying seasonal topics more easily.
|
|
| Our new smartphone-optimized website launched too. Would you check once? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Account info
You can view your account info, including your order history, as well as change your email, password, or home address or add a new shipping address to your address book by clicking here.
Or if you prefer, we are happy to update your account info for you. Just let us know. Please don't hesitate to contact us!
|
|
To unsubscribe from Hibiki-an Newsletters
You can remove your email address from the mailing list by clicking here.
Or if you prefer, email us with your FULL NAME and we will immediately remove your email address from the mailing list.
|
|
|
|
|
|
