| Konacha is Now Available! |
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| - This Month's Tea |
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| Main Topic |
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| Seasonal Topics & Items |
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| Dear Sir and Madam, |
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| We at Hibiki-an THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your continued patronage and support.
We are pleased to offer useful information for your healthy life and continued
enjoyment of Japanese green tea. In this issue, we talk about 'Konacha is Now Available! (This Month's Tea)'. |
Konacha is made from the specks and tiny tea leaves of Gyokuro or Sencha tea leaves. Konacha is less expensive than tea leaves because Konacha is a natural byproduct of traditional tea processing, like Karigane. Especially Konacha, sorted from high grade tea leaves, has a better flavor than tea leaves of a similarly low price.
Our Konacha is made from specks and tiny tea leaves of high grade Gyokuro or Sencha, because specks sorted from middle or low grade tea leaves have an undesirable flavor.
In Japan, tea connoisseurs search for high quality Konacha. High quality Konacha is sometimes difficult to find. Konacha accounts for only 10% of all tea leaves. Besides, top quality tea leaves are grown in limited quantity. Hibiki-an is able to have a steady supply of Konacha because we grow and sell only high grade tea leaves.
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| The brewed infusion color is deeper than regular Gyokuro due to the very fine dusting of tea leaf, one characteristic of Konacha. |
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| Konacha is sorted specks and tiny tea leaves from high grade Gyokuro or Sencha. |
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| Left side is Gyokuro Konacha tea leaves and right side is regular Gyokuro. You can see that Konacha is a very fine dusting of tea leaf. |
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| Specks or tiny tea leaves for Konacha are sorted at several steps of the finishing process. This step is first sorting Aracha unprocessed tea leaves. |
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| This step is second sorting Aracha unprocessed tea leaves. |
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| At this step, tea leaves are divided into specks and Mecha sprout tea leaves. |
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[Limited] Konacha is Now Available! |
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Konacha is made from the specks and tiny tea leaves of Gyokuro or Sencha tea leaves. Konacha is less expensive than tea leaves because Konacha is a natural byproduct of traditional tea processing, like Karigane. Especially Konacha, sorted from high grade tea leaves, has a better flavor than tea leaves of a similarly low price.
All items below are limited edition of 600 packages each ONLY AVAILABLE this summer season. |
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[Limited] Gyokuro Konacha Super Premium (100g/3.53oz): US$18.00 (Now Available)
Gyokuro Konacha Super Premium is an excellent value. Because it is made from the specks and tiny tea leaves of only the highest quality Gyokuro, such as Gyokuro Pinnacle, Super Premium, Kuradashi Gyokuro Pinnacle, and Super Premium, you can have the finest quality for a fraction of the cost... |
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[Limited] Gyokuro Konacha (200g/7.06oz): US$26.00 (Now Available)
Made from premium Gyokuro specks and tiny tea leaves, Gyokuro Konacha has a unique and delicately sweet flavor. Gyokuro Konacha is an excellent value. Because it is made from the specks and tiny tea leaves of only high quality Gyokuro... |
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[Limited] Sencha Konacha (200g/7.06oz): US$18.00 (Now Available)
Made from premium Sencha specks and tiny tea leaves, Sencha Konacha has a unique and delicately sweet flavor. Sencha Konacha is an excellent value. Because it is made from the specks and tiny tea leaves of only high quality Sencha... |
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A Tip for Brewing Konacha: click here
Konacha specks are more easily brewed for shorter time than regular Gyokuro or Sencha tea leaves. The brewing time is half of regular Gyokuro or Sencha tea leaves... |
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Iced Gyokuro and Sencha Using Konacha: click here
Iced Gyokuro and Sencha Using Konacha: Konacha brews quickly and flavorfully in about half the time as regular Gyokuro or Sencha tea leaves, so Konacha is perfect for Iced Gyokuro and Sencha... |
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| What is Konacha?: click here |
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| Are you enjoying your green moments? Hibiki-an encourages those who love to drink green tea. If you have any requests or questions regarding our teas or services, please don't hesitate to contact us. We sincerely hope that you enjoy genuine Hibiki-an Japanese green tea direct to you from Kyoto, Japan. |
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| Sincerely yours, |
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| Atsushi Yasui |
Seasonal Topics & Items
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[Limited] Tencha is Now Available! |
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| All Tencha teas below are limited edition of 600 packages each ONLY AVAILABLE
this summer season. We hope you will enjoy the pure and elegant flavor
of Tencha! |
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[Limited] Tencha Super Premium (30g/1.06oz) US$22.00 (Now Available)
This Tencha Super Premium has specially been arranged in order to be brewed in the same way as Gyokuro or Sencha. The taste is deep and mellow, and the subtle noble aroma lingers in the mouth for a while... |
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[Limited] Tencha Premium (60g/2.12oz) US$25.00 (Now Available)
Tea leaves for Tencha (Matcha) are grown in the same way as Gyokuro, but processed differently than Gyokuro. The growing and processing bring the unique excellent flavor of Tencha. Of course, this Tencha also makes a lovely iced tea. The flavor is uniquely elegant... |
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[Limited] Tencha Pinnacle (30g/1.06oz) US$29.00 (Now Available)
Traditionally, Tencha was not brewed like Gyokuro or Sencha, because this was not included in the traditional Tea Ceremony teachings. And so, for many years, brewed Tencha has quietly been enjoyed in secret among only a few Matcha manufacturers... |
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Iced Tencha: click here
Have you tried Iced Tencha? Iced Tencha has a unique, excellent, and noble flavor which is different both from Iced Gyokuro and Matcha... |
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| What is Tencha?: click here |
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[Recommended] Matcha Stick Packs (Super Premium, Organic, House)
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In response to hundreds of our customers'requests, we released Stick Pack series, which is Matcha Super Premium, Organic, and House Matcha. These Stick Packs are easy to carry anywhere, such as in your bag, so you can enjoy drinking genuine Matcha anywhere, anytime, freely.
Would you bring higher quality of Matcha with you?
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Matcha Super Premium Stick Packs - Large Bag (90 x 2g/0.07oz): US$130.00
Matcha Super Premium Stick Packs - Large Bag is an excellent value. This Large Bag is composed of 3 zip lock bags, each containing 30 sticks x 2g / 0.07oz which is 3 times the amount of our usual Matcha Super Premium Stick Packs (30 x 2g / 0.07oz) whereas the price is only 2.5 times the amount. The price is discounted by 17%... |
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Organic Matcha Stick Packs - Large Bag (90 x 2g/0.07oz): US$90.00
Organic Matcha Stick Packs - Large Bag is an excellent value. This Large Bag is composed of 3 zip lock bags, each containing 30 sticks x 2g / 0.07oz which is 3 times the amount of our usual Organic Matcha Stick Packs (30 x 2g / 0.07oz) whereas the price is only 2.5 times the amount. The price is discounted by 17%... |
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House Matcha Stick Packs - Large Bag (90 x 2g / 0.07oz): US$70.00
House Matcha Stick Packs - Large Bag is an excellent value. This Large Bag is composed of 3 zip lock bags, each containing 30 sticks x 2g / 0.07oz which is 3 times the amount of our usual House Matcha Stick Packs (30 x 2g / 0.07oz) whereas the price is only 2.5 times the amount. The price is discounted by 17%... |
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Bottle Shaking Method
The Bottle Shaking method is a casual preparation technique by which you can enjoy drinking genuine Matcha anywhere, anytime, freely. For the Bottle Shaking method we usually recommend entry grade of Ceremonial and Culinary grade Matcha. Ceremonial high grade Matcha has a good flavor even when prepared by using the Bottle Shaking method, though it is preferable to prepare high grade Matcha by whisking with the bamboo Chasen. |
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- Put 1 stick of Matcha (2g) into a PET plastic bottle, canteen, or anything with a capacity of approximately 500ml (17.6fl oz) and a lid.
- Pour 200ml - 350ml (7.04 fl oz - 12.3fl oz) of cool or room-temperature water (*) into the plastic bottle or other container.
- Shake the plastic bottle quickly and boldly 10 to 20 times.
- Drink directly from the bottle.
- If drinking at intervals, shake the plastic bottle each time just before drinking. Please consume within a few hours.
(*) Do NOT pour hot water into the bottle. It is dangerous as it can make the bottle inflate. Use only cool or room-temperature water.
Only entry grade of Ceremonial and Culinary grade Matcha matches with the Bottle Shaking method, such as our House Matcha, Matcha Versatile, and Matcha Culinary. |
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[Limited] Snacks and Candy (Summer) |
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We at Hibiki-an added some Japanese traditional and modern confectioneries
which are all only available in summer. Our carefully selected items for
summer confections amuse our mouth very much, and perfectly match with
Japanese green tea.
They will all certainly enrich your green moment. Please take a look! |
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| Japanese Snacks / Candy Shopping category: click here |
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[Limited] Elegant Yunomi & Matcha Bowl for Summer Season |
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| We have arranged for 10 handcrafted elegant tea ware items including porcelain and
pottery, which are all limited edition only available
this summer season. They are all designed with modern, sophisticated style,
while others use traditional techniques for a more traditional design.
They will all expand in application depending on your idea. Please take
a look. |
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Yunomi Teacup |
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Matcha Bowl |
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Iced Houjicha is made from roasted green tea also known as Bancha.
Traditionally, tea farmers exhausted from working in hot summer weather would take a break and enjoy Iced Houjicha. First, they would boil water and tea in a kettle. Then they would cool it off by submerging the kettle of tea in a nearby brook. In fact, most everyone in Japan, not just farmers, traditionally enjoyed Iced Houjicha in the summer season. Houjicha hardly contains Caffeine but it does contain beneficial Catechin. Also Houjicha is a good affordable everyday tea. Iced Houjicha is a source of health for farmers in the hot summer season.
You can brew Iced Houjicha with all our Houjicha teas: Houjicha (Bancha), Houjicha Karigane, Organic Houjicha, and Teabag Houjicha.
There are two ways to make Iced Houjicha. If anything, we recommend you try the Traditional Japanese farmer's recipe at least once! |
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(1) Traditional Japanese farmer's recipe |
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Boil water in a large kettle (about 2 liters) |
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Pour 1/2 cup of Houjicha tea leaves into the kettle and boil for 2 minutes. |
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After cooling it a little, fully chill the tea in the refrigerator. |
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(2) Brewing by using Kyusu (teapot) |
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Place 7 to 8g (3 tablespoons) of Houjicha tea leaves into the Kyusu (teapot). |
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Pour 200ml (7.04fl oz) of boiling temperature of water into the Kyusu. |
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Wait for 1 minute. You'll want to brew the tea quite strongly because later the thawed ice will weaken the flavor. |
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Pour tea from the Kyusu into each glass filled with pieces of ice to cool the tea quickly. Pour alternately little by little, so that the quantity and taste of the tea is equal in each glass. |
| You can brew Iced Houjicha with any of our Houjicha teas. Visit the Houjicha teas shopping page. |
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(Notice 1) Now Shipping to Most Countries (COVID-19 issue)
As shown in the below chart, at last, we are now able to ship to most countries, though the situation is still not fully back to normal.
Orders bound for some countries (like the US, Australia, Singapore, etc.) still can be temporarily accepted only with DHL Express International NOT Standard International.
We are still temporarily unable to ship to some countries, such as
Russia, India etc. And deliveries can be delayed due to each country's
situation. (more info, click here)
We strongly recommend that you choose the Express International Delivery option, which is fast and trackable. Or you may wish to order after the COVID-19 crisis calms down and conditions return to normal...
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Latest Flight Status (as of Jul 26th)
- 'o': Almost normal delivery time, though there are some delays.
- '-': Significantly delayed, though flights are not stopped.
- 'x': Stopped flights
| Flights (bound for) | Express
International
(Postal) | Standard
International
(Postal) | DHL Express
International |
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| United States | x | x | o |
| Canada | x | - | o |
| Australia | x | - | o |
| United Kingdom | o | - | |
| Switzerland | o | - | |
| Italy | o | - | |
| Germany | o | - | |
| Singapore | o | - | |
| France | o | - | |
| Spain | o | - | |
| Norway | o | - | |
| New Zealand | o | - | |
| Israel | x | x | o |
| Russia | x | x | |
| Netherlands | o | - | |
| Hong Kong | o | - | |
| Sweden | o | - | |
| Denmark | o | - | |
| Belgium | o | - | |
| Czechia | o | - | |
| UAE | x | x | o |
| Finland | o | o | |
| Austria | o | - | |
| Thailand | o | - | |
| Hungary | o | - | |
| Ireland | o | o | |
| Bulgaria | o | - | |
| Ukraine | o | o | |
| India | x | x | |
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| Flights (bound for) | Express
International
(Postal) | Standard
International
(Postal) | DHL Express
International |
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| Romania | x | x | |
| Brazil | x | x | |
| Croatia | o | - | |
| Indonesia | o | - | |
| Lithuania | o | - | |
| Poland | o | - | |
| Slovakia | o | - | |
| Malaysia | o | - | |
| Mexico | o | - | |
| Philippines | o | - | |
| Iceland | o | - | |
| Turkey | o | - | |
| Latvia | o | - | |
| Serbia | o | - | |
| Saudi Arabia | x | x | |
| Taiwan | o | - | |
| Lebanon | o | - | |
| Luxembourg | o | - | |
| Vietnam | o | - | |
| South Africa | o | - | |
| Ecuador | o | - | |
| Qatar | o | - | |
| Cambodia | x | x | |
| Portugal | o | - | |
| Kazakhstan | o | - | |
| Belarus | o | - | |
| Estonia | o | - | |
| Slovenia | o | - | |
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(Notice 2) Resumed Shipping to Canada
We have resumed shipping to Canada. Standard International is delivered by the post office and Express International is temporarily delivered by DHL.
For most cases of DHL Express delivery in Canada, customs clearance fees and taxes (*1) are billed upon delivery to the recipient. If you prefer to avoid the fees and the taxes, we recommend that you order under US$150 and choose Standard International instead of DHL Express, though it can be delayed (*2).
(*1) Customs clearance fees: Transaction Fee (CA$5.25), Processing Fee (CA$11.25 or 2.5% of value
of duties & taxes, if higher)
Taxes: Customs duty, GST/PST/HST
(*2) Delivery situation is still not back to normal, so that Standard International can be delayed a few or some weeks.
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Account info
You can view your account info, including your order history, as well as change your email, password, or home address or add a new shipping address to your address book by clicking here.
Or if you prefer, we are happy to update your account info for you. Just let us know. Please don't hesitate to contact us!
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You can remove your email address from the mailing list by clicking here.
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