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Help finding Japanese tea
- Thread starter jeremy.king
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That is an Ito-en brand "ryokucha" tea bag. "Ryokucha" just means "green tea" in Japanese, so any Ito-en brand green tea should taste the same (or similar enough). Ito-en has its own online store, or you can google around for Ito-en brand green tea.
Good choice, though. Ito-en is probably the biggest green tea company in Japan, very popular (t)here, too.
Hope that helps.
irmongoose
Good choice, though. Ito-en is probably the biggest green tea company in Japan, very popular (t)here, too.
Hope that helps.
irmongoose
You really can't find that tea? 
I have a Chinese grocery store nearby that sells a bit of Japanese, Korean, Thai, and South-east Asian stuff as well, and I'm certain they have that. It's very common in Japan.
Go to an area around you populated by Chinese people (e.g. China-town), and see if they have the Japanese green tea at one of the many random grocery stores.
I have a Chinese grocery store nearby that sells a bit of Japanese, Korean, Thai, and South-east Asian stuff as well, and I'm certain they have that. It's very common in Japan.
Go to an area around you populated by Chinese people (e.g. China-town), and see if they have the Japanese green tea at one of the many random grocery stores.
Surprisingly, Costco also sells the Matcha Blend Ito-en brand of Japanese green tea. It comes in a box containing 100 individually sealed packets in nylon bags. The label on the box shows the same symbol as shown on the wrapper in the OP. It is marketed by Kirkland. It is very good in my opinion an reasonably priced (I think around $13 for the 100 bags).
^^ I've had Matcha before, and actually really like it. It was a blend of matcha and other black teas but it was very good. Tasted full-bodied and strong, but not bitter.. Some teas can get bitter when they're strong, even if you don't let them steep too long.
I highly recommend this if you like Matcha - I drink it nearly every night - its wonderful - just dont steep it with too hot of water (this is the top reason for bitterness).
Go to an area around you populated by Chinese people (e.g. China-town), and see if they have the Japanese green tea at one of the many random grocery stores.
Too much effort when I can just ask the internet...
you should ask in the marketplace!
maybe somebody from Japan can run outside to a vending machine, buy you tea, and throw it in a box for ya
maybe somebody from Japan can run outside to a vending machine, buy you tea, and throw it in a box for ya
How do you know when the water is hot enough? Perhaps boil it, then let it cool for a few minutes? I usually just pour the water just after it reaches a slight boil, when small bubbles start to rise from the bottom of the pan. It doesn't taste bitter to me, but I add a half teaspoon of sugar. I don't care much for the flavor unsweetened, but I might get used to it if I tried it that way for awhile.
you should ask in the marketplace!
maybe somebody from Japan can run outside to a vending machine, buy you tea, and throw it in a box for ya
Can you help me out?
I see you live in Japan
That kind of tea was common in the Chinese grocery stores near my apartment in the US. Just visit any Asian market or grocery store and they should have a variety of things from different countries, including Japan.
If all else fails, get it online through an importer, such as www.jbox.com (Be careful, there's a version of that website that has loads of adult material, so take the non-adult one if that's your preference).
When I leave Japan eventually, I'll probably use that company to get my regular ファミ通 subscription that I pick up weekly, if they offer it.
P.S. 伊藤園 (Ito-en) is just one brand of green tea, and it's not particularly different from the other kinds. Don't be put-off if there's a different brand at your local Asian supermarket. They're all virtually the same. If you want something with more flavor, IMO, go for a brand of GENMAICHA (玄米茶). It's a combination of more than just tea, including roasted brown rice. Awesome stuff.
Here's what I'm drinking right now:
If all else fails, get it online through an importer, such as www.jbox.com (Be careful, there's a version of that website that has loads of adult material, so take the non-adult one if that's your preference).
When I leave Japan eventually, I'll probably use that company to get my regular ファミ通 subscription that I pick up weekly, if they offer it.
P.S. 伊藤園 (Ito-en) is just one brand of green tea, and it's not particularly different from the other kinds. Don't be put-off if there's a different brand at your local Asian supermarket. They're all virtually the same. If you want something with more flavor, IMO, go for a brand of GENMAICHA (玄米茶). It's a combination of more than just tea, including roasted brown rice. Awesome stuff.
Here's what I'm drinking right now:
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Can you help me out?
I see you live in Japan
I'd love too...my parents on the other hand...welll
I add sweetener to is sometimes.
Water boils at 212 degrees - green tea should be steeped at 160 degrees. I let the water come to a boil and let it cool down or add it to my cup and let it cool a bit. I also have a candy thermometer I use every once and a while if things begging to get bitter. After a while you can feel when the cup or the water is about right
Here is a guide on temperature and steeping for different kinds of tea: http://www.planet-tea.com/preparation.html
It make a huge difference IMO.
Oh no man, you can't add sugar to green tea
Let me never hear of this blasphemy again!
Sweetener ≠ sugar
Honey...but I agree with you in general - might as well have sweetened water with the amounts some people put in it!
I say to each his/her own, but I know someone who drinks green tea with sugar and milk, sometimes even cream. Sure, it's your tea, but that is just despicably disgusting.
irmongoose
irmongoose
Sweetener ≠ sugar
but I agree with you in general - might as well have sweetened water with the amounts some people put in it!
Why would you add anything to green tea? It tastes extremely good on its own.
I'm not a big fan of 玄米茶 personally. That kind of burnt flavor rarely agrees with me.