Hello everyone, I'm Keko, one of the online staff members.
While many tea lovers around the world are captivated by matcha, there’s another treasure in the world of Japanese tea that deserves just as much attention—if not more. Today, I’d love to introduce you to Premium Gyokuro, a pinnacle of Uji’s tea-making artistry.
✨ What Makes Premium Gyokuro So Special?
Gyokuro is not just tea—it’s an experience of umami itself. Betsusei Gyokuro, in particular, takes this to another level:
Sweetness: Deep, rich, and multi-layered. The mellow sweetness spreads gracefully across your tongue, offering a refined and elegant flavor that lingers beautifully.
Umami: Exceptionally strong and full-bodied. Imagine a silky, almost viscous texture that clings gently to your palate, leaving a long-lasting, profound aftertaste.
Bitterness: Remarkably minimal. There’s a delicate touch of bitterness and astringency, perfectly balancing the sweetness and umami, with no harshness—just pure sophistication.
Aroma: A distinctive “covering aroma” (ooika) reminiscent of high-quality seaweed. It’s rich yet soft, carrying a certain floral elegance. Some batches even develop a subtle matured fragrance over time.
This tea is truly not just about drinking; it’s about savoring umami in its purest form.
How It’s Crafted: The Magic of Shading
Premium Gyokuro is grown under shade for weeks before harvest. This special process allows the tea leaves to develop their signature depth of umami and sweetness, while reducing bitterness. The shading enhances amino acids like theanine, making every sip a luxurious experience.
How to Enjoy It: A Thoughtful Ritual
To truly appreciate Premium Gyokuro, I recommend brewing it with great care:
Water temperature: 50–60°C (122–140°F)
Amount: About 5g of tea leaves for 30ml of water
Steeping time: 2–3 minutes
This low-temperature, slow brewing is the secret to unlocking the tea’s fullest potential. The result is a liquor so rich and savory that it feels like a gentle caress of silk on your tongue.
Why Choose Gyokuro over Matcha?
Matcha is famous worldwide, and rightfully so—but gyokuro offers an entirely different dimension of Japanese tea. While matcha captivates with its bold, direct flavors, gyokuro invites you into a world of subtlety and depth. Its layered umami, mellow sweetness, and elegant aroma create a quiet yet powerful experience—a luxury best enjoyed slowly and mindfully.
If you love Japanese tea, Premium Gyokuro is a must-try. It’s not just a beverage; it’s a journey into the heart of Uji’s tea tradition, offering flavors and sensations that stay with you long after the last drop.
I hope this inspires you to explore beyond matcha and discover the beauty of gyokuro. Until next time, happy tea moments!
