This Gyokuro was cultivated in the Kakashita Tea Garden in Uji, Japan and is a premium shade-grown green tea renowned for its exceptional quality and refined flavor profile. Uji is widely recognized as the birthplace of Japanese green tea, particularly for its premium Gyokuro which is considered the "king" of teas due to its meticulous cultivation and luxurious taste.
This particular Gyokuro was shaded for 20-25 days in the early spring, and the tea plants were shaded with bamboo and straw screens, reducing sunlight exposure by 90%, slowing photosynthesis and increasing L-theanine levels resulting in a lightly sweet and very smooth taste (no bitterness and almost no astringency). The shading also results in high chlorophyll levels, resulting in a very rich green color in the tea leaves. The tea is hand-picked (as opposed to machine harvested), ensuring only the most tender leaves are selected for this premium tea. The leaves are then carefully steamed and rolled to preserve the delicate fresh green fragrance and luxurious rich smooth taste.
The tea leaves are needle shaped and glossy with a bright fresh scent. When brewed, this tea has a very rich umami taste with gentle grassy and marine notes. The tea soup is thick and almost brothy. If you enjoy a rich luxurious tasting Gyokuro, then this tea is idea for you!
This tea is vacuum packed to preserve freshness and is sold only in 100g quantities (~3.5oz).
