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| Konacha is Now Available! |
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| - This Month's Tea / Limited |
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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 / Limited)'. |
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 spring 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/7.05oz): US$25.00 (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/7.05oz): 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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| 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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This Month's Tea - Karigane |
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| We would like you to rediscover the value of our Karigane teas for monthly recommendation. Karigane is less expensive than tea leaves because it is a by-product. It is made from the stems of Gyokuro and high grade Sencha. You are sure to delight in the excellent value of Karigane. At the same time we arranged a special Karigane tea, Gyokuro Karigane Super Premium. It is the limited edition of 450 packages only available this early spring season. |
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Special Karigane (Limited) |
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[Limited] Gyokuro Karigane Super Premium (40g/1.41oz): US$18.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 450 packages ONLY AVAILABLE in early spring this year)
Gyokuro Karigane Super Premium is an excellent value. Because it is made from the stems and veins of the only highest-quality Gyokuro, such as Gyokuro Pinnacle and Kuradashi Gyokuro Pinnacle, you can have the quality of Premium for a fraction of the cost... |
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Regular Karigane and Other |
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Gyokuro Karigane Premium (100g/3.53oz): US$22.00
Gyokuro Karigane Premium which is made from the stems of highest grade Gyokuro is very valuable and precious. You can enjoy the excellent flavor of high grade Gyokuro at an affordable price... |
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Sencha Karigane (200g/7.05oz): US$23.00
Sencha Karigane Premium which is made from the stems of high grade Sencha is valuable and precious. Karigane contains much Theanine which is the source of its sweet and mellow taste... |
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Houjicha Karigane (200g/7.05oz): US$19.00
Houjicha Karigane is made from the stems of high grade tea leaves and roasted in the same way as standard Houjicha. The flavor is deeply sweet and roasted, which is quite unique among Japanese tea... |
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[Limited] Snacks and Candy (Spring) |
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We at Hibiki-an added 12 Japanese confectioneries which are all only available in spring.
Our carefully selected items for spring confections amuse your mouth very much, and perfectly match with Japanese green tea. SAKURA Cherry MONAKA has a gentle sweet taste. HABUTAE KUZUMOCHI of traditional rice cake has soft texture as silk. HOSHIUME is premium dried UME plum having unique flavor and texture.
When you take a bite of TANSAN SENBEI, KAWARA SENBEI, the toasted and sweet flavor spreads in your mouth. The citrus flavor of KABOSU Peel is addictive.
MATCHA Cookies has an elegant mellow and smooth flavor of high quality Matcha.Houjicha EMAKI has a very light and crispy texture and roasted flavor of high quality Houjicha. BANPEIYU Hard Jelly offers a fresh citrus aroma, like that of YUZU.The natural flavor of TOFU OKARA Cookies should be tried once. It will be enjoyable to compare the different spiciness of WASABI MAME and SHICHIMI SENBEI.
We are certain that they will all completely please your taste bud. Please take a look! |
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Spring Confections |
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Continued Sales |
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Highly Recommended Featured item |
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WASABI means horseradish. MAME means peanut. These WASABI MAME, a traditional peanut snack with a sharp, spicy flavor, is made by coating peanuts sprinkled with a small amount of salt and nori (seaweed) with WASABI powder. Wasabi has a spicy flavor and aroma with a refreshing finish that is rather addictive.
These WASABI MAME are a traditional snack that have been manufactured for many years in Kyoto by a long-established specialty store that has been in business for 100 years. The peanuts are carefully sprinkled with WASABI powder by skilled confectioners. The exquisite seasoning, which cannot be achieved by mass production by machine, is backed by the skills of experienced confectioners and traditional methods.
WASABI is said to have antioxidant properties, which, when combined with the nutrient-rich peanuts, may have a more positive effect on health. In Japan, peanuts have been said to ward off evil spirits, since ancient times, and are a food of good fortune. Even if you don't like peanuts, you should try WASABI MAME. The excellent flavor will delight your palate and enrich your green moment... (more info: click here)
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| Once you try it, you will be addicted. |
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| This snack has a unique spicy flavor. |
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| Enjoy the traditional taste of Japan. (This image is for reference only.) |
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| Japanese Snacks / Candy Shopping category: click here |
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[New & Limited] Yunomi and Tea Accessories (Spring and Summer) |
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| We have arranged for 18 Yunomi teacups, 1 Tea Set and 2 Tea Accessories,
which are all limited edition only available this spring and 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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Tea Set |
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Yunomi - Large / Multi-cup |
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Yunomi - Traditional Style |
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Tea Accessories |
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Highly Recommended Featured item |
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This Yunomi appears to be a simple and traditional style Japanese teacup, but it is created using elaborate techniques and is crafted from carefully selected materials passed down from generation to generation. Traditional Shigaraki glazes are made by combining three different types of glazes. However, this teacup is made using only one type of glaze known as RURIYU. It creates a unique and jewel-like beauty.
The most distinctive feature of this teacup is the glaze. RURI means lapis lazuli. This RURIYU glaze, produced by mixing an ash-laden glaze with cobalt, has been passed down from generation to generation at Hozan’s kiln. As the name suggests, this teacup’s glaze is dark blue with a hint of purple.
This is an elaborate Yunomi, created by Hozan Tanii in partnership with nature itself. The components of the glaze, made from wood ash, and the earthenware natural clay, are heirloom materials handed down from generation to generation.... (more info: click here)
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| The complex gradation of lapis lazuli color, reminiscent of deep space, is not found anywhere else among Shigaraki ceramics. |
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| This teacup is made using only one type of glaze known as RURIYU. It creates a unique and jewel-like beauty. |
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| This teacup will be your longtime partner, aging gracefully over time, as you enjoy each cup of Japanese green tea. |
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| Teapots & Cups / Supplies shopping category: click here |
| Matcha Bowls / Accessories shopping category: click here |
| RAKU YAKI - Avantgarde to Tradition shopping category: click here |
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RAKU YAKI - Avantgarde to Tradition: (One-of-a-kind / Now Available!)
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We, Hibiki-an have collaborated with Kyoshitsu Sasaki at Kirai Kiln which produces avantgarde and traditional Raku-yaki. Raku-yaki is regarded as the most prestigious and highest ranked earthenware in the tea ceremony. From the ultimate style of Matcha bowl that Sen no Rikyu, influenced by the spirit of ZEN, has pursued all his life, to avant-garde Matcha bowls that showcase the new possibilities of RAKU YAKI, we have prepared six masterpieces. We also continue to sell the seven traditional styles of RAKU YAKI Matcha bowl that are already on sale.
Whether it is the avant-garde RAKU YAKI that may become the standard 100 years from now, or the ultimate RAKU YAKI that Rikyu pursued all his life, both are masterpieces that will revolutionize your green moment.
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| RAKU YAKI Bowls - Avantgarde to Tradition (One-of-a-kind) |
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[KIRAI] KASEYU KURO CHAWAN - Rikyu GONOMI (handcrafted): US$2,680.00
(One-of-a-kind / Now Available)
This KASEYU KURO CHAWAN - Rikyu GONOMI is a genuine Matcha bowl, following the traditional Raku-yaki method. Formed by a traditional method, which does not use a potter's wheel, the bowl is simple yet exquisitely asymmetrical upon closer inspection.... |
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[KIRAI] ORIBE CHAWAN (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): US$1,980.00
(One-of-a-kind / Now Available)
This ORIBE CHAWAN is Raku-Yaki, yet avant-garde, with free inspiration and a relaxed mood. ORIBE means Furuta Oribe(1563-1615), a Japanese general of the Warring States period. He is famous as one of the disciples of Sen no Rikyu... |
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[KIRAI] RANSAI CHAWAN (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): US$1,980.00
(One-of-a-kind / Now Available)
RANSAI means indigo blue color. This unique noble blue color is completely original to the artisan, Kyoshitu Sasaki. While based on RAKU-yaki's traditional style, this masterpiece is the result of his constant research and challenge, and is filled with.... |
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| Traditional RAKU YAKI Bowls (Continued Sales) |
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| RAKU YAKI - Avantgarde to Tradition shopping category: click here |
| RAKU YAKI - Avantgarde to Tradition page: click here |
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(Notice 1) Delivery Discount
Orders of under US$150 get Express International delivery (both of DHL and Postal) for only US$8.50 ( US$11.50).
This delivery discount is only for a limited time until April 30th.
(more info; click here)
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(Notice 2) Update of International Delivery Status
Here is an update of the International Delivery Status. To learn more, please visit the links below.
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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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