Discuss chow in general, including nationally available products, internet & mail-order, national cuisines and tips for chowhounding.
Start New ThreadI read through this thread: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...
The majority of the posters recommended sites for sencha, but I was wondering if anyone could recommend distributers of good gyokuro and matcha.
By PseudoNerd
on Jul 13, 2006 10:05 PM
Story
10 Spicy Snacks
Story
Three Rare Red Sodas with Andy Sturdevant
Story
Farewell, Foie Gras: I'm Not Sorry to See You Go
Recipe
Emilia Terragni's Basil Pesto
Recipe
Easy Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
Recipe
Patty Melt
View »
PseudoNerd -- I am a green tea fanatic, and now (having been introduced to Red Blossom Tea in San Francisco) I love jade oolongs. However, I did go through a phase of searching for the best gyokuro that I could find; at the time, gyokuro was the only green tea I really liked.
I see that you are a Los Angeles Hound. If you ever get to Sawtelle, as you are facing Hide Sushi on the same side of the street, to the left and just across the parking lot driveway is a Japanese grocery store. He carries an excellent gyokuro. It is in a tall, 1 lb. silver can, about 8" tall, and called GYOKUROMATSU, packed by Mikawaya Shoten. There is a large yellow circle on the label, and the rest of the label is gray. This is the best I have found, and the price is amazing for the quality: I think the can is about $17.
One problem: the market goes through periods when they carry many cans, and then they don't have it at all for a long time. I haven't checked lately (I still have a couple of cans left -- I have gone through at least 8 pounds of this! -- it is THAT good!).
There are many gyokuro teas "out there," but truly this is the best I have found...let me know what you think or if you find anything better for the price; it can be the costliest of the green teas. Also, if you will check my recent GREEN TEA post, many knowledgeable hounds suggested some great places to order online. Most of these specialty online stores have gyokuro.
Permalink | Reply
www.itoen.com ....has very high quality....
Permalink | Reply
PsuedoNerd: Go to Yamamotoyama in Mitsuwa Japanese market in Torrance, CA. They have gyokuro tea for $30, $45, and $70. I buy the $45 one because the manager told me the health benefits don't differ between the $45 and the $70. You can also have a gyokuro tea service with a sweet snack (a sweet bean cake) for $7 plus tax.
Permalink | Reply
+1
They have a lot of really good tea there.
Permalink | Reply