Make This Year the Year of Gyokuro
Hello, this is JUN from the online staff.
With the arrival of the New Year, I imagine many of you are already off to a fresh start. We began welcoming customers on January 2nd, and we once again deeply felt the joy of delivering a wonderful tea experience to you all.
With that in mind, my personal recommendation for everyone to savor this year is Gyokuro.
What is Gyokuro? The Secret of "Oika"
Like Tencha (the tea leaves used for Matcha), Gyokuro is cultivated by covering the new sprouts to shield them from sunlight during their growth.Blocking the sunlight prevents the components responsible for sweetness and Umami from transforming into bitterness. This results in a deep, mellow sweetness, rich Umami, and a fragrance with great depth.
High-quality Gyokuro features a distinct "Oika" reminiscent of Nori seaweed—a characteristic born from its intense sweetness and Umami.
Health Benefits: Relaxation and Beauty
Furthermore, just like Matcha, Gyokuro offers antioxidant benefits from components such as catechins.
The abundance of the amino acid "Theanine" promotes relaxation and improves concentration. It is also rich in Vitamins C, E, and A, which are considered effective for skin brightening and anti-aging.
How to Brew the Perfect Gyokuro
Gyokuro is not only healthy but also possesses a mellow and elegant flavor. I would like to share how to brew it so that you can incorporate this experience into your daily life.
1- Measure: First, carefully measure the tea leaves into a Kyusu (Tea Pot).
2- Cool the Water: Pour boiling water into a cooling vessel, and then transfer it to the teacups to let it cool slowly.
3- Brew: Once the water reaches approximately 60℃ (140°F), pour it into the Kyusu and wait patiently for over a minute for the tea leaves to unfurl.
4- Serve: Pour quietly and slowly into the cup.
The Gyokuro reveals a beautiful color and an aroma slightly reminiscent of the seashore—distinct from Sencha. The taste simply evokes emotion and surprise.
As you practice each step to brew delicious tea, you are freed from the hustle and bustle of daily life and the overload of information. It feels as if the Umami of the Gyokuro gently permeates every corner of your body.
There is a quiet nostalgia in the graceful movements of brewing Gyokuro.
My senior colleague, Keko, once wrote in her blog: "Gyokuro is the very essence of Japan's quiet luxury." I believe this perfectly captures it.
Cooling the water, waiting, and pouring gently. Each of these actions separates you slightly from the everyday and helps center your mind—much like the moments spent walking along the stepping stones toward a tea room.
I believe Gyokuro is a tea that allows you to experience the aesthetic sensibility of Japanese culture firsthand.
It would be wonderful to bring such moments into your everyday routine. Make This Year the Year of Gyokuro.
I truly hope that you, too, will enjoy taking the time to brew and savor a cup of Gyokuro.
Let`s try the Gyokuro