We invited a group of friends over last Friday for a yakisoba party and thought these would be fun to try after dinner. Everyone, including my 4-year-old daughter, loved the Monaka. They were perfect with green tea. The toasted rice wafers were light and airy, and the a...(more)

Shincha AOTE is an excellent balance between Sencha and Gyokuro. Those who like a strong, brisk, astringent green tea prefer Sencha, whereas those who like a naturally sweet, mellow, grassy green tea prefer Gyokuro. Over the years, I have tried many different varieties ...(more)

Since I became interested in Japanese green tea around 12 years ago, I have been searching for competition grade tea from Japan, but it has always been impossible to find here in the United States. I've seen competition grade tea from China, but never Japan. So when thi...(more)

Hibiki-an Kuradashi Matcha is so smooth and balanced with a rich and complex flavor that one could almost describe it as soft and creamy or even buttery. Green tea is typically brisk and refreshing. Some might say that in general, Japanese green tea can be somewhat bitt...(more)

Hibiki-an's Organic Matcha is a much better value than any other I've found. If you buy Organic Matcha in the U.S., it's usually around $30 for 30g, but this is only $24 for 40g - and it's higher quality too. The flavor is excellent, very fresh, mellow and well-balanc...(more)

As you can see from my other review from 2006, I've been drinking iced green tea for many years. When the weather is hot and you feel drained of all energy, iced green tea is more healthy and refreshing than any other drink. I like to bring it to the gym or on shopping ...(more)

Houjicha Karigane Super Premium is the perfect hot tea for winter and early spring. It's very hearty and warming. After I've been outside shoveling snow, all I want is a steaming hot cup of this tea. The blend of roasted stems and twigs from high quality Sencha and Matc...(more)

Houjicha Super Premium is exactly the kind of tea I want to drink in winter, when it's so cold outside. Some people like hot chocolate in winter, but personally I prefer Houjicha. It's more warming, and also it has no caffeine, so you can drink Houjicha in the late afte...(more)

To put this in context, I'm one of those people that looks forward to the Shincha harvest every year. Sencha is always best right after the harvest. There is nothing like it. It's so green, fresh and energizing. If you have only ever had green tea in teabags from your l...(more)

To put this in context, I'm one of those people that looks forward to the Shincha harvest every year. Sencha is always best right after the harvest. There is nothing like it. It's so green, fresh and energizing. If you have only ever had green tea in teabags from your l...(more)