Gyokuro Shincha is a lovely first harvest of the year from the Shizouka foothills of Mount Fuji. The dry leaf aroma offers soft, cozy, nut-like umami and hints of sweetness. In the cup, it is complex and yet subtle. Whispers of sweet grass and clover, soft nuttiness and a breathy, semi-crisp floral finish delight the palate. Harmonious and well-balanced.

Gyokuro vs Sencha: A Guide to Japanese Green Tea

Kimberley K November 21, 2024

Discover the unique characteristics of Gyokuro and Sencha teas as we delve into their cultivation, processing, and flavors to help you choose your perfect Japanese green tea!

IDiscover our array of authentic yixing teapots. Each is handcrafted and designed for gongfu steeping.

Best Clay Teapots for Gongfu Style Brewing

Kimberley K June 21, 2024

Discover the secrets to selecting the perfect clay teapot for gongfu style brewing and elevate your tea experience to a whole new level!

Darjeeling - the "champagne of tea" with its complex cup, is best appreciated when the newest harvest, or "first flush" arrives in early spring. Our selection for this year is again from the beautiful Rohini estate and grown at 2500 feet from the early producing BB157 cultivar. A cool March has developed wonderful floral notes in a blossomy cup with a gentle finish. Hints of classic muscatel peek through as it cools while this tea lingers on the palate - a wonderful reminder of spring after a long grey winter. Only available limited quantities and best enjoyed fresh from the garden so order soon!

Tea Picking Standards: China, Japan, India

Kimberley K May 16, 2024

Discover the hidden art of tea picking and learn how it shapes the quality and flavor of your favorite brews!

Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, the gaiwan is a traditional brewing vessel that literally translates to "lid and bowl". Our Classic Gaiwan is made of white glazed porcelain and consists of three parts: a saucer, bowl, and lid. The gaiwan is a preferred brewing vessel for loose teas as it allows for the appreciation of delicate aromas emanating from the fragrant leaves.

Tea Tasting Made Easy: Notes, Flavor, and Aroma

Kimberley K May 10, 2024

Discover the secret to unlocking the hidden depths of your favorite teas through the thrilling world of A-B tasting—where every sip reveals a new twist!

Best Ways to Store Japanese Teas and Matcha

Kimberley K April 19, 2024

Unlock the secrets to preserving the vibrant flavors of Japanese green teas and elevate your tea-drinking experience to new heights!

A Step-by-Step Guide to Tea Tasting Notes

Kimberley K October 11, 2023

As you grow your tea collection, you may wish to document thorough tea tasting notes. Use this guide to start your tea tasting adventure!

Chasens are produced using one piece of bamboo and creating them is a long process that is usually taken on by one person completely by hand.

Chasen 101: The Essential Matcha Whisk Guide

Kimberley K May 18, 2023

How to use, care, and store for your Chasen (matcha whisk) properly to get better matcha!

matcha per cup (or to taste) in a cup, adding a few drops of hot water (160-180F) and stirring with a spoon until a paste forms. Add the rest of the water and stir.

Matcha Teaware Guide: Whisks, Bowls & More

Kimberley K March 02, 2023

Here, we will be zeroing in on the traditions and history behind the specific teaware and tools used to prepare matcha traditionally.

A quick, economical alternative to bottled water for better tasting tea. Removes up to 80% of chlorine and 70% limescale from tap water in seconds, dramatically improving the taste of tea and other beverages. It's also very quick, removing impurities at twice the speed of similar products. The cost savings are even more impressive. Its 60-day filters (one included free) will save you 90% of the cost of bottled water. A digital indicator will signal when these should be changed.

The Best Water for Brewing Perfect Tea

Kimberley K January 26, 2023

Hard water, soft water, filtered water, what produces the best cup of tea?

Taiwan Tea Spotlight: Wen Shan Pouchong

Kimberley K November 17, 2022

Learn more about this region and the teas it has to offer!

Our 2022 sencha is revered. Hailing from Shizouka Prefecture, home of Mount Fuji, this tea was masterfully grown and processed to yield complexity in the form of sweet grass, warming nut notes, and the lingering nuance of apricot blossoms. Sip slowly and sit quietly with this tea to fully enjoy its riches.

Senchadō: Japan’s Way of Sencha Tea

Kimberley K October 20, 2022

Did you know that there are multiple types of Japanese Tea Ceremonies? Let's dive into Senchadō!

Ruby #18 is a unique cultivar from Taiwan, and a relatively new invention, only surfacing in the late twentieth century after over fifty years of research. A cross between a wild Formosa tea plant and an Assam from Burma, it was developed specifically with the intent to make phenomenal black tea.

Taiwan Ruby 18 Black Tea: Rich and Complex

Kimberley K September 16, 2022

A relatively new innovation in the tea world - let us introduce this unique Red Jade sensation out of Long Tan, Taiwan!

Discover Master's Teas array of authentic yixing teapots. Each is handcrafted and designed for gong fu brewing inside or out.

Gongfu Tea Outdoors: What to Pack & Brew

Kimberley K August 11, 2022

Can't resist the great outdoors but don't want to miss your afternoon tea? Here are some tips and tricks to bring the brewing experience with you!

This rare Formosa Superior Fancy Bai Hao is a true treat for the senses. The leaves are quite tippy with a fragrant bouquet when dry. Once brewed the cup is one of peach blossoms with a lingering honey note.

Wen Shan Teas: Taiwan’s Northern Oolong Region

Kimberley K July 21, 2022

Starting a deep dive into oolongs- let's look at the region of Wen Shan, Taiwan and two delicious teas to try!

Gyokuro plants are shaded from the sun for several weeks. This slows the growth allowing tea leaves more time to develop depth and flavor. The sun-deprived leaves are higher in chlorophyll, which explains their vivid green color. They're also higher in amino acids, most notably L-theanine, which accounts for the perfectly smooth, rich and soft flavor.

Gyokuro, the Jewel of Japanese Green Tea

Kimberley K June 30, 2022

Learn all about Gyokuro including its history, cultivation, production, preparation, and more!

Shop online with Adagio for fine traditional and flavored matchas sourced directly from Japanese artisan farmers and brimming with antioxidants.

Matcha Tea Guide: Origins, Farming, and Rituals

Kimberley K June 10, 2022

Let's break down Matcha! It's history, cultivation, processing, and even tips on how to make it at home.

Find symptom relief with the help of peppermint and chamomile the next time a migraine hits.

Matcha, Ginger & Peppermint for Migraine Relief

Kimberley K May 26, 2022

Migraines are brutal, but these five teas may help you seek the relief that you're looking for.

Shincha - 新茶 or "new tea" refers to the first flush of tea leaves harvested after the dormant winter months.

Fresh Shincha: Japan’s First Flush Green Tea

Kimberley K April 21, 2022

Learn what shincha is, how it is picked and processed, and most importantly- how to prepare it.

Master's Teas Ali Shan Special is buttery and amazingly rich. It brews a very complex, silky cup that speaks of its high altitude origin and beautiful tender leaves.

Ali Shan Oolong: A Taste of High Mountain Tea

Kimberley K March 02, 2022

Let's get in depth around this beautiful, buttery, floral oolong!

In addition to helping a lot of minimizing wastefulness, the pleasant aroma of roasting Hojicha, they were enchanted by its character.

Hojicha: Roasted Japanese Green Tea Delight

Kimberley K January 20, 2022

Don't let appearances deceive you! Hojicha is a green tea. Learn more about this classic Japanese green tea that's been roasted into toasty goodness!

While Omotesenke do not whisk matcha but the aim is to have about 50% foam and 50% not foam, producing windows into the tea and creating what looks like a pond or a lake, hence the name pond style whisking.

Omotesenke’s Pond Style: Matcha Whisking Tips

Kimberley K December 30, 2021

Calling all Matcha enthusiasts! Learn about two Japanese Schools of Tea and a great whisking method to try.

Anxi Wulong Low Fire offers a complex floral flavor, lightly sweet and crisp. A perfect choice for while it’s still cold outside and the magic of the holidays is in the air.

Masters Teas Gift Guide: Pu-Erh to Oolong

Kimberley K December 09, 2021

Need help deciding what to pick up for the tea-lover in your life? This is the perfect place to start!

Though green tea leaves into a powder and mixing it directly into water.

Matcha Tea for Focus, Calm, and Meditation

Kimberley K November 18, 2021

Two peas in a pod - matcha and meditation. Learn a bit about how matcha came to be, and how to start you own matcha meditative practice!

The best ways to prepare it - As I have said throughout all of my posts for this on-going series it is always best to prepare traditional Japanese teas in teaware that is also traditional to them, like this kyusu.

Sencha Tea Guide: Japanese Origins and Preparation

Kimberley K October 28, 2021

Learn more about this elegantly rolled green tea from Japan!

Adagio offers two versions of their Genmaicha on their Masters Teas site.

Genmaicha: Japan’s Toasted Rice Green Tea

Kimberley K September 02, 2021

Learn more about this Japanese classic green tea with a hint of toasty flavor featuring popped rice!

Kukicha is produced using the leaves, twigs and stems of the tea plant.

What Is Kukicha? Japan’s Unique Green Tea

Kimberley K July 22, 2021

Learn more about this warm, rounded, and playful green tea from Japan!

Did you know that there are two ways in which you can prepare Matcha?

Usucha vs Koicha: Two Ways to Make Matcha

Kimberley K May 13, 2021

Did you know that there are two ways in which you can prepare Matcha? The Matcha you are probably familiar with is usucha (thin tea), but today we look at koicha (thick tea): what it is, how to prepare it, and other uses!