Gyokuro is the most sought after and luxurious type of green tea from Japan. Also known as Jade Dew, this tea is considered as one of the most hailed and expensive types of Japanese tea. Cultivated in the shade and enriched with a naturally refined sweet flavour, this Gyokuro emerald green tea is sparkling quality in leaf form.
This Gyokuro come from Ise Bay in Mie Prefecture which has 800 years of history for producing high-quality tea.
The processing of Gyokuro is labour intensive and specialist, adding to the tea's expensive status.
Gyokuro is made from shade-grown tea leaves also used to make Matcha. Tea bushes are covered up to 3 weeks before harvest to prevent direct sunlight. This slows down growth, and causes the production of amino acids and theanine, giving rise to a sweet flavour, "mild in taste" and a "greenish in colour infusion”.
The leaves are then processed using the Sencha Rolling method (this traditional 6-step process is explained more in our What is Japanese Sencha blog) before they are put through machinery to shape them into their pointed states. This is also when the leaves are dried and then ready to be sorted and shipped to exporters.
Great care is taken when preparing this tea to specific requirements. As guidance the twice the weight in dry tea leaves for a given quantity of water (e.g. 6 to 10 grams for 180 ml); cooler brewing temperatures (in the range of 50ºC-60ºC instead of 65ºC-75ºC for sencha);a longer steeping duration, at least for the first infusion (90 second instead of 1 minute for sencha). Due to its high quality, the thick tea leaves maintain their pleasant flavour for up to 4-5 servings.
Since Gyokuro steeps at such a mild temperature, it is recommended pre-heating both the pot and cup to maintain the warmth of the tea as one drinks it. It is normally consumed very slowly to savour its distinctive flavour.
Japanese Tea:
All our teas imported from Japan are governed by the provisions of implementing Regulation (EU) No 996/2012 imposing special conditions governing the import of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station. All our teas are checked and certified by the 'Tokai Regional Administration Office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’, that they are compliant with the legislation in force in Japan and EU as regards to radiation. Further, these certifications are examined at the point of entry to UK before the teas are released for distribution. Therefore we can confirm that the teas sold by us are safe and radiation free. Please let us know if you need more information.
DID YOU KNOW? Approximately, there are only 10 production days available for plucking high-calibre Gyokuro. This makes up only 1% of Uji's total 20% Gyokuro production. It is no wonder this is one of Japan's most expensive green teas.
Gyokuro tea is known to be loaded with goodness! These qualities of the tea can aid the metabolic rate; dental health and mental alertness.
It is also known to soothe inflammation; reduce stress and boost heart health.
Ingredients: Japanese green tea
Want to find out more about Gyokuro tea? Read about its revered history, process and brewing tips in our What is Japanese Gyokuro post.
I think it was quite an average tea - taste and quality wise, and if I take into the account the price, it would barely be at par to some of the other green teas such Japanese Sencha and Genmaicha or China's Dragon Well. Get the tasters pack first and then decide.
If you do not have a decent scale, do not attempt to measure the recommended dosage because you might end up with way more grams in your cup like I did, resulting in a bitter first taste. I managed to correct it for the second attempt. If you go for the right temperature and the correct amount of grams (a touch less is ok) as well as the right time for brewing , this tea is just superb.
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