Reviews Posted by Chris

Products Rating Read Date Added
[Limited] Shincha Matcha Refill (120g/4.23oz)   Out of Stock
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479 07/09/2023
This is a very beautiful tea. I drink it every morning as a matcha latte along with sugar and a touch of golden maple syrup for flavour. I have not done the tea ceremony with it, yet. However, I did try making thick tea and then placing it over Haagen Daas ice cre...(more)
Matcha Pinnacle Refill (120g/4.23oz)
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1149 05/17/2022
I'm just tasting the latest batch of Matcha Pinnacle now, as a matcha latte, for breakfast. The colour is excellent. It is finely ground, and froths nicely. As usual, I always sift the matcha before using, and could tell the aroma. Chris
[Limited] Competition Grade Gyokuro Pinnacle (30g/1.06oz)   Out of Stock
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960 01/14/2022
I brewed this traditionally in a kyusu. As a tea, it was fine. I'm a bit spoiled by drinking the aged gyokuro. I also cold brewed in water for a few days. The aroma was incredible. Excellent colour and taste. Highly recommended for cold brewing.
[Limited] Competition Grade Matcha PinnacleRefill(60g/2.12oz)   Out of Stock
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1004 01/14/2022
I've been drinking this matcha as a matcha latte. I also drink the Pinnacle grade matcha. The colour is excellent for this matcha. The aroma is also good when sifting. I haven't tried it in the tea ceremony yet. It's finely ground. I always sift the match...(more)
Gyokuro Pinnacle (40g/1.41oz)
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2104 09/21/2021
Because of the pandemic and shipping, I've been drinking another stores Sencha since spring. So it's good to see gyokuro's green colour back in the cup. It's been a while! Hibiki-an's top level tea is much milder than others. Actually, my sencha has been getti...(more)
[Limited] YUZU Peel (Japanese citrus peel glace)   Out of Stock
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1077 09/21/2021
You know how gyokuro is sometimes called jade jewel? These morsels of Yuzu are also a type of jewel, in a sense. Virually too. Hold one up to the light. I happened to have gotten a bottle of Korean Yuzu with honey, for making tea out of. So I had something to com...(more)
Matcha Pinnacle Refill (120g/4.23oz)
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1241 09/21/2021
It's funny how we can remember a particular scent or taste, even though time has moved on, and things may be different. As soon as I made a bowl of Matcha Pinnacle, I recognised the scent. Perhaps it is like umami? It reminds me of turkey gravy. That is not to say...(more)
SHOAMI Hohin set (handcrafted Tea Set)
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1327 08/27/2021
I have used these for a few years now. They have become my favourite. The small cups will help you appreciate the finest Japanese tea. For the first pour, just a little in the bottom of the cup to savourhe flavour of the tea. Pouring the tea is perfectly nat...(more)
[Limited] Kuradashi Gyokuro Pinnacle (40g/1.41oz)
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1980 10/26/2020
This years tea is quite strong. I would use a bit less in order to balance the flavour and limit any bitterness. The colour of the leaves look good. Very green.
[Limited] Kiyomizu YUZU MONAKA (Japanese wafer YUZU flavor)   Out of Stock
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1417 08/08/2020
The design is nice. It is stamped with Kanji. The exterior has an ice cream cone like texture, with a roasted rice flavour. The white bean is quite good. Colour is a little different than photo. I think lemon would work better than Yuzu. The aroma / flavour was...(more)
SHOAMI Hohin set (handcrafted Tea Set)
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1928 08/07/2020
Please be very careful with the small cups in this set. If they get wet, they become very slippery and go flying off, unexpectedly. Each set is an individual work of art.
House Matcha Large Bag (240g / 8.47oz)
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2345 06/18/2020
This last shipment has a nice fresh green aroma. In comparing to the Tana method, it doesn't have some of the funky aroma caused by nitrogen compounds. Colour is very good. I drink this mostly in latte form. Lately, I have been using organic milk. Look for a go...(more)
[Recommended] MATSUBA Yunomi (Teacup:pair:100ml each)
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2801 06/01/2020
These are very nice, the perfect size for green tea.
[Try it] Matcha Superior Large Bag (120g/4.23oz)
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1861 03/15/2020
Beautiful matcha colour. When I sit outside, in the fresh air, I get an ocean/seaweed aroma in a matcha latte. The treat in the picture is from Savannah, Georgia. It has fresh pecans, caramel and chocolate.
Sencha Pinnacle (40g/1.41oz)
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4175 02/09/2020
Amazing tea. Aroma! And taste! My favourite.
SHOAMI Hohin set (handcrafted Tea Set)
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2060 02/02/2020
I like this tea set very much. When you are trying to drink Gyokuro, the amount of tea and water are very important. Before, I used a glass measuring cup, but it takes twice as much tea. This set allows me to half the amount of tea. The small cups aid the slow appreciat...(more)
[Limited] Competition Grade Gyokuro Pinnacle (30g/1.06oz)   Out of Stock
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1923 01/14/2020
I tried this in my new hohin. The tea had really good flavour on the first brew. It was like Kuradashi, without having to age it. The leaves were fine and needle like. This is what I expect from tea. Afterwards, I used the tea leaves on a fried egg with salt and a li...(more)
Matcha Pinnacle Refill (120g/4.23oz)
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1957 12/25/2019
This is the first time I have been to review this tea, this year. I made the tea two ways: traditionally, and as a matcha latte. There is hidden in this tea, a green scent, which can be brought out from the powder by a transition from a warm environment to a cold ...(more)
[Shouraku] KURO MAKUGUSURI CHAWAN (by Shouraku III)
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1903 10/10/2019
I wondered how Kuro Raku could be improved upon. This bowl is smaller, and more elegant. The glaze flows in layers, which you can see. It is quite shiny, as the name indicates It fits the hand very well. There are also indentations where the fingers can rest. I t...(more)
AKA RAKU (handcrafted Matcha Bowl)
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1931 10/07/2019
This bowl still touches my heart.
[NIJO Castle KANO] ROGAN ZU (by Zenshoh Yamaoka)
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1951 09/18/2019
For a long time, I have wanted to own this tea bowl. I never thought that I would. So, when I had the fleeting chance to obtain it, I did. The way that it shows the tea is amazing. The gold shimmers in the light and the interior illuminates the tea. There is an...(more)
House Matcha Large Bag (240g / 8.47oz)
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2557 08/26/2019
This is my everyday matcha, and has been for a long time now. I prefer it's taste in a matcha latte or iced matcha latte. I always sift it.
Matcha Pinnacle Refill (120g/4.23oz)
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2075 08/04/2019
I'm not sure how one justifies drinking matcha made by the honshu method as a latte. But, that is how I am drinking it. Every morning, I wake up.and have a matcha latte with my breakfast. In the afternoon, I prefer to have an iced matcha latte in the summer. I must enjo...(more)
[Limited] Shincha Matcha Refill (120g/4.23oz)   Out of Stock
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1519 07/08/2019
I was 2 months late ordering this, so technically, it's no longer shincha. Having said that, it is a very smooth tea, with excellent colour. I haven't done the tea ceremony with it yet, only hot and iced lattes. It definitely allows more of the milk taste to sh...(more)
Sencha Pinnacle (40g/1.41oz)
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5920 05/26/2019
The first of the new years tea. Apparently, this was a perfect year weather wise. The colour of the brewed tea is amazing. It photographs yellow, but it really shimmers to green. 10/10 for colour. I usually use 10g of tea. That's too much for this tea. It is...(more)
Sencha Super Premium (40g/1.41oz)
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3456 05/19/2019
First review of the new spring tea. When I opened the package, there was an amazing tea smell. Yellow brew, changed to more greenish in the cup. Flavour strengthened as well. Appeared more green outside where it was slightly darker. I had the leaves with rice, ...(more)
[Limited] Houjicha Super Premium (100g/3.53oz)   Out of Stock
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1898 02/23/2019
As soon.as I poured water on this tea, there was the most amazing aroma. I have tried the other levels of Hojicha, as well. I like those, as well. I was a bit doubtful, because even high grade tea has to be roasted. So how much difference could there be? There is ...(more)
[Limited] Gyokuro Karigane Super Premium (40g/1.41oz)   Out of Stock
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2070 02/16/2019
Karigane Gyokuro is an excellent choice for cold brew. Place 20g in 1L of water, leave 24 hours. Filter the tea into a seperate container. Add about 400 mL water. Filter this. You will have the tea equivalent of "umfiltered apple cider" The best co...(more)
Houjicha Karigane (200g/7.05oz)
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5332 02/16/2019
This tea is most suitable for the cold brew method. Take 20g and add to 1L water. Place in fridge for 8 to 24 hours. (Choose time based on strength of tea required) The result is a wonderful, refreshing roasted tea flavour. It reminds me of caramel. For hot ...(more)
Houjicha (Bancha) (200g/7.05oz)
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6104 01/24/2019
Very good Hojicha. A mixture of leaves and twigs. The first cup is the best. Roasted flavour. I drink with something sweet. Empty cup smell! Second cup, I add sugar.
[Limited] YOHROH (handcrafted Shigaraki Matcha Bowl)   Out of Stock
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1337 01/12/2019
A very beautifil bowl. It sings when I touch it. In contrast to the rougher texture, which helps you hold the bowl, the glaze is smooth and warm. It is difficult to see the quality of the glaze in a normal photograph. I may write more, at a later date.
[Limited] Competition Grade Sencha Pinnacle (40g/1.41oz)   Out of Stock
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2013 01/04/2019
After trying the other competition grade teas, I was in the mood for something a little different. My first cup was very refreshing, as only sencha can be. Yes, the amount of flavour was remarkeable. This may be my favourite out of this years competition tea. C...(more)
[Limited] Competition Grade Gyokuro Pinnacle (30g/1.06oz)   Out of Stock
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2145 12/29/2018
Let's begin with the most remarkeable aspect of this tea: You can eat the leaves, and they are probably the most mild that you can have. For the first brew, I recommend 10g of tea, and 200 mL of water. The tea will give you plenty of flavour, in line with Hib...(more)
[Limited] Competition Grade Matcha PinnacleRefill(60g/2.12oz)   Out of Stock
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1703 12/20/2018
Incredible tea. It combines the quality of the youngest shoots with the flavour of the freshest tea. I recommend drinking it in a place with plenty of natural light. Give it a day after opening in a container to breath. Aroma. Colour. Excellent.
[Limited] Kuradashi Gyokuro Premium (80g/2.82oz)
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2644 11/17/2018
Delicious Gyokuro. Smooth with lots of green flavour. I really enjoyed this one.
House Matcha Large Bag (240g / 8.47oz)
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4160 10/22/2018
Hibiki's House Matcha is an excellent value. The tea is a wonderful green colour. It's ground really well, and very fresh. I highly recommend it. I have tried the whole range of Hibiki teas. Lately, I have been studying food science. The chloroplasts that give matcha...(more)
[Limited] Gyokuro Konacha Super Premium (100g/3.53oz)   Out of Stock
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2112 08/05/2018
This is one of my favourite summer drinks. Put 20 grams of tea in a glass pitcher, and add 1L of water. Let it sit for 24 hours in the fridge. Take the container out and strain out the tea into another jug with a fine mesh strainer. Pour in another 400 mL rough...(more)
Sencha Pinnacle (40g/1.41oz)
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6616 06/12/2018
I found this to be milder than the Super Premium. It's an excellent tea. I would suggest using these hand picked leaves in a smoothie, after you are done making tea.
[Limited] Shincha Matcha Refill (120g/4.23oz)   Out of Stock
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2038 06/10/2018
This review is for last years. I loved making Iced Matcha Latte in the summer with Shincha Matcha. The brighter green colour shows up in a nice tall glass. Serve with a few ripe peaches.
[Limited] Farmers' Shincha (160g/5.64oz)   Out of Stock
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2493 06/10/2018
The first brew was delicious. It reminded me of Shincha Aote. The liquor is greener in colour than sencha. Very happy with it.
[Limited] Shincha AOTE (80g/2.82oz)   Out of Stock
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1793 06/09/2018
Sencha Aote is delicious. The tea is much greener than other senchas. The first brew has a saltiness / mineral quality to it. A favourite.
Sencha Super Premium (40g/1.41oz)
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4202 05/31/2018
Excellent tea. Tea colour, leaves etc. I enjoyed the iced version most. Two 3 minute brews. The first hot brew reminded a little of aged sencha. The leaves are mild and edible with a little soy sauce. Do eat the leaves!
[Limited] Shincha Traditional (80g/2.82oz)   Out of Stock
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2754 05/25/2018
This is the first year that I have tried Hibiki's shincha. I purchased each type. The quality of this one is excellent. Iced and hot versions are quite different, of course. Try brewing both.
Matcha Ice Cream (House Matcha / Matcha Culinary)
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2944 01/27/2018
We made Matcha Ice cream a slightly different way: with a mixer, and liquid nitrogen at 196C. The Matcha was house Matcha. It was really good!
[Limited] Award Competition Grade Matcha (10g/0.35oz)   Out of Stock
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1971 01/23/2018
This tea reminded me of the freshest spring green vegetables. Similar and yet very different from the top grade of Kuradashi Matcha. My best experience was drinking this right after opening the tin. (Usually it takes a day for tea to develop an aroma) I did not si...(more)
[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle (30g/1.06oz)
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2596 11/15/2017
A tea with a lot of umami. Yet, easy to drink. How much water you use will determine how strong the flavour is. I recommend using only enough for two sips. The Gyokuro leaf version was my favourite, as is this one.
D:[ANAGAMA Matcha Bowl] SOHSHUN FU (by Hozan Tanii)   Out of Stock
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2179 10/27/2017
When I saw that Hibiki-an has this type of work, I was so happy. Philosophically, it makes sense to me. This is definitely Wabi Sabi. So many people use this term. What does it mean? At one time, very fancy and ornate teaware was used to have tea. Think of a part...(more)
[Limited] Kuradashi Gyokuro Premium (80g/2.82oz)
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3013 10/27/2017
This is a very good tea. It should give you an idea of what Super Premium is like, as well. The difference being that this is machine harvested and in the varieties used. The first time I had this the tea was soup like in umami. The brewed colour has a green tint, wh...(more)
[Limited] Kuradashi Gyokuro Super Premium (40g/1.41oz)
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3549 10/07/2017
This tea was different from the Pinnacle version. I would describe it as greener. It reminded me more of matcha. There was a lot of umami in the first brew. Less than the Pinnacle version though. I did think it laster better over several steepings, though. Opening th...(more)
[Limited] Kuradashi Sencha (80g/2.82oz)
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3725 10/07/2017
This tea is well above any sencha that I have previously drank. The first infusion was comparable to chicken soup. You will want to enjoy this first brew by itself. What I really find interesting is the difference between this tea and the Gyokuro Pinnacle. They are b...(more)
[Limited] Kuradashi Gyokuro Pinnacle (40g/1.41oz)
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3685 10/05/2017
Incredible. The amount of umami in this tea... without bitterness. This tea should be drunk straight, in a prewarmed cup. 10 g tea 143 F 2 minutes I used a bowl, measuring cup and fine reuseable cup filter.
House Matcha Large Bag (240g / 8.47oz)
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4705 10/01/2017
This is the second review for this product that I have written. I have journeyed a long way since then. I now drink matcha ceremonial style, everyday, in a traditional bowl. That is, without sugar or milk, accompanied by a sweet. Hibiki's house matcha is very good...(more)
Matcha Culinary (240g / 8.47oz)
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2688 09/29/2017
I drink this every morning in the form of a latte with sugar. It is perfectly enjoyable. I notice a little more of a classic tea smell with this. (Think opening a new box of black tea) I probably wouldn't drink this ceremonial style. But then, that is why this is ...(more)
SUSUDAKE Chashaku (handcrafted Matcha Spoon)
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3049 09/28/2017
I use susudake every day. One side has a lovely smooth texture and wonderful wood stain like appearance. The other side is unfinished bamboo. How I feel about susudake. Just having a piece of a Japanese house that is so old is very comforting. It is a pleasure to use...(more)
KURO RAKU (handcrafted Matcha Bowl)
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6411 09/26/2017
This is the first hand made Japanese tea bowl that I have ever owned. I bought this because it represented the beliefs of Sen No Rikyu that a tea bowl should be simple, perhaps even austere. It is not an exageration to say that the Eastern philosophy of things being...(more)
AKA RAKU (handcrafted Matcha Bowl)
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3073 09/23/2017
I'm sitting here near dusk, looking at Aka Raku, whom I have yet to name. I have only had this bowl for a few days. It is the second of Shoraku's bowls that I have been honoured to possess. The colour of this bowl is red. It is a red that has aged for many years. Thi...(more)
Sencha Superior (200g/7.05oz)
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7675 09/20/2017
I really enjoyed this sencha. The tea is full of flavour. That is the thing that I remember most. The brew colour was an anazing yellow. The colour of the dry leaf was also good. I think i could reasonably depend on Hibiki's consistent quality to make this my year r...(more)
House Matcha Large Bag (240g / 8.47oz)
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5575 07/09/2016
I'm new to matcha. The last matcha that I had was ceremonial grade. I drank it one of two ways. Either the traditional way, whisked by hand, and then with sugar added. Alternatively, I use a large teaspoon full with 400 ml of water and blend it with a hand held blender....(more)