Hibiki-an is good, but you really have to try Ippodo. Once you've had Ippodo tea, you really can't go back. They target mostly Japanese consumers, but lately, they have been trying to push for more overseas sales. They've been around since 1717 and were the personal tea purveyors to Prince Yamashita. Try the Tenka-ichi, their top Gyokuro. It's difficult to prepare but completely worth it. https://shop.ippodo-tea.co.jp/shop/en/
If you like a nice deep green tea, but want a really good bang for your buck, then try http://www.tealife.co.jp/drink/32.html which is what a lot of Japanese inns use. $15 for 100 5g tea bags (yes, it's not for purists). Grown in Japan and 95% as good as a much more expensive loose tea. 1 tea bag is good for about a litre of tea.
I've tried a lot of different brands and grades of tea, and while I can certainly appreciate the difference in some of the more expensive ones, I have not found any that are anywhere near the value proposition of this for a daily-drinking tea.
Re:Hacker's Guide to Tea
by MikeCapone on Tuesday November 23, 2010 @04:49PM
(#1935513)
Do they have an English website? Or should I just try to figure it out using Google Translate.
Unfortunately their FAQ shows that they don't ship outside of Japan.
You'd have to use a buying service like white rabbit express to act as a middleman, and though I don't know how much such services cost, would likely lower the value proposition.
An alternative to a kettle with temperature control is to use a little math to find dilution ratios. It's quick, easy, and works with any kettle to give water of any temperature. See:
http://blog.moertel.com/articles/2005/07/11/math-makes-tea-t...
> The best hot water kettle w/ temperature control
I'd suggest to forget anything hi-tech when drinking tea. Better go for a small, plain teapot like this one: http://www.everyonestea.com/data/everyonestea/image/ETS/teap...
Re:Hacker's Guide to Tea
by MikeCapone on Thursday November 25, 2010 @11:46PM
(#1941650)
Could you elaborate on why you think this is better?
Re:Hacker's Guide to Tea
by aloneinkyoto on Tuesday November 23, 2010 @04:31PM
(#1935448)
Does anyone know where I can buy the PINO Digital Kettle Pro in Europe? Amazon refuses to ship it to my address in Sweden.
The best hot water kettle w/ temperature control I've found is: http://www.amazon.com/PINO-ST-8706-Digital-Kettle-Pro/dp/B00...
I've tried every kettle and this one is the best. It's all stainless inside too - water never touches plastic.