Reviews Posted by Russell Bailey

Products Rating Read Date Added
House Matcha (80g/2.82oz)
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7377 03/19/2011
Thought I'd update /add another. I add this Matcha to hot porridge, made with water (or milk and water if you prefer) and a little salt, then with Matcha added plus honey and then stirred together. The sweetness of the honey and flavour and slight astringency of the ...(more)
Matcha Roll Cake (House Matcha / Matcha Culinary)
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6055 10/26/2010
I've had a go at this, but adapted the recipe somewhat. Instead of using double cream, I used Quark (virtually fat free soft cheese - 500g, though a bit less would work okay) for the filling, and whisked the Quark with some vanilla extract before using as the filling - ...(more)
Organic Matcha (40g/1.41oz in canister)
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11602 03/14/2009
This has a good depth of flavour with a very slight astringent edge to it. I like this on its own (as Usucha only), and sometimes add this to my Gyokuro Karigane or Sencha for something a bit different. Our Greyhound dog seems to like licking bits of the powdered tea fr...(more)
Organic Matcha (40g/1.41oz in canister)
  • Very bad...
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11520 03/05/2009
This matcha is not as bright or intense in its colour as the higher grades, but it whisks up well and it has plenty of flavour, with an astringent edge to it. Personally, this is fine for me, and if you want to take off some of the astringency, you can add more water, t...(more)
[Try once] Sencha Fukamushi Superior (200g/7.05oz)
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7236 09/06/2009
Great tea at a very affordable price. The balance of astringency and sweetness is very good and I have no hesitation in recommending this. I wasn't disappointed and would most definitely buy this again.
Matcha Pinnacle (30g/1.06oz)
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8563 09/06/2009
Summed up simply - it's just as good as I hoped it would be.
[Seasonal] Iced Teapot (1,000ml)
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6093 08/30/2009
I'm pleased with this iced teapot now that I have used it a number of times. The instructions are all in Japanese, but you can fathom out from the diagrams how to use this. Basically, add the leaves (I use approx. 2 tablespoons of Sencha or Gyokuro leaves per litre of t...(more)
Iced Sencha
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8255 08/27/2009
This is a truly refreshing drink. I have used the Organic Sencha, and made iced tea with the ice tea maker purchased from Hibiki-an. Brewed hot and then cooled for a few hours in the fridge, it makes a wonderfully revitalising and thirst quenching drink in the mornings,...(more)
Organic Sencha Premium (100g/3.53oz)
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11203 08/26/2009
I'll keep it simple the best Sencha I've tasted, and a wonderfully refreshing drink either hot or as iced tea (made either with hot water, or, with cold water - therefore caffeine free) highly recommended!
Gyokuro Karigane Superior (200g/7.05oz)
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10990 06/24/2009
This is a tea that I really enjoy. I find the aroma sweet and when I infuse the stems/leaves I will leave them in longer than say, Sencha - maybe 2-3 minutes minimum, though I haven't timed it. I find the flavour is also sweet, somewhat like a sweet gooseberry if the...(more)
Matcha Premium (40g/1.41oz in canister)
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7688 06/20/2009
Having tried most of the other Matcha grades now, I wasn't sure about this when I first tried it. However, having just finished it today, I have enjoyed drinking this as a good quality everyday Matcha, and, when by accident I put in more powder than I intended, I can co...(more)
Organic Matcha (40g/1.41oz in canister)
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11095 03/27/2009
I wouldn't use this for making Koicha, but I like it as Usucha (thin Matcha), with a good depth of flavour and it whisks up into a really good froth with little effort. I also find adding it to a Sencha tea or similar adds a sweetness and colour that is great to experim...(more)
Matcha Sifter
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8251 03/05/2009
I have used this a few times now, and it is certainly very effective in producing Matcha that is very fine and free of any lumps. I find it is very easy to clean by simply using a bit of paper kitchen roll. A very useful addition to my collection, thank you!
Gyokuro Karigane Premium (100g/3.53oz)
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8824 02/25/2009
This is the first time I have tried this and I really like the flavour. No bitterness at all and a sweet flavour that has hints of sweet gooseberry in it. A very refreshing drink and one that is good value as well. The first infusion in particular is a clear, rich green...(more)
Bamboo Whisk 80 bristles (Chasen)
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7606 12/27/2008
It does the job perfectly for me, making great Matcha every time, it's a joy to use.
Matcha Super Premium (40g/1.41oz in canister)
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9636 12/27/2008
One of my Christmas gifts and I am really impressed - as Koicha it has great flavour but no bitterness at all - and great as Usucha as well - it's a real treat, and I have no hesitation in recommending it to everyone. All the time and expertise that goes into producing ...(more)
D: Large Kyusu (Teapot: 840ml)   Out of Stock
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6566 11/27/2008
I haven't used this yet, but it will be used soon when we have friends to stay who like to join me in sampling the tea we have here. Like all Kyusu, superbly practical and elegant as well. It does seem to make a difference to the taste with good quality tea when the lea...(more)
[Limited] Kuradashi Gyokuro Premium (80g/2.82oz)   Out of Stock
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4808 11/27/2008
I wasn't sure on first tasting this whether I would like it. But it is fascinating, as each cup contains a series of different flavours, with absolutely no bitterness at all. It is hard to comprehend just how one Camelia plant can be harvested and stored to bring about ...(more)
House Matcha (80g/2.82oz)
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7684 10/23/2008
I am fairly new to Matcha, but it is the best so far that I've had - I will be back for more in due course, and will be trying some of the others on offer. I like the taste, no real bitterness at all, which is surprising for a 'starter Matcha' so I hear. Thanks to Hibik...(more)
Organic Gyokuro (100g/3.53oz)
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6688 10/23/2008
I like the colour of the leaves, so vivid and rich. The infusion is really clear and subtly green - and it tastes as refined as it looks. I will be back for more, no doubt. Thank you for your commitment to high quality, organically grown green tea, which I can now enjoy...(more)