Japanese Gyokuro - Reserve Collection Green Tea

About This Tea

Japanese Gyokuro is Japan's most prestigious and luxurious green tea, representing the pinnacle of Japanese tea craftsmanship. The name "Gyokuro" translates to "Jade Dew," a poetic reference to the tea's brilliant jade-green color and the precious, dew-like drops of liquor it produces. This exceptional Reserve Collection Gyokuro is sourced from elite tea gardens near Mount Fuji, where generations of tea masters have perfected the art of shade-growing to create a tea of unparalleled sweetness, umami depth, and complexity.

What sets Gyokuro apart from all other green teas is the traditional shading process called "ōishita saibai." Approximately three weeks before harvest, the tea plants are covered with bamboo screens or tarps that block 90% of sunlight. This forces the plants to produce higher levels of chlorophyll, amino acids (especially L-theanine), and other compounds that create Gyokuro's signature sweet, umami-rich flavor and vibrant green color. The tender, shade-grown leaves are hand-picked during the first spring harvest and carefully steamed, rolled, and dried using traditional methods. This is tea as meditation—rare, refined, and deeply revered in Japanese tea culture.

Ingredients

• Japanese Gyokuro Green Tea: Premium shade-grown green tea from elite gardens near Mount Fuji, Japan

Brewing Guide

• Water Temperature: 140–160°F (60–70°C) - Lower temperature than other green teas
• Tea Amount: 1.5–2 teaspoons per 4–6 oz cup (Gyokuro is traditionally brewed in small amounts)
• Steeping Time: 2–3 minutes for first infusion
• Infusions: Can be steeped 3–5 times, increasing steeping time by 30 seconds with each infusion
• Best Practices: Use filtered or spring water for optimal flavor. The lower water temperature is crucial—too hot will destroy the delicate sweetness and umami. Use a small kyusu (Japanese teapot) or gaiwan for traditional brewing. Each infusion reveals new dimensions of flavor, with the second steep often considered the finest.

Tasting Notes

Japanese Gyokuro offers an extraordinarily sweet, umami-rich flavor profile that is unmatched in the tea world:

• Umami: Intense savory sweetness reminiscent of fresh seaweed, ocean mist, and dashi broth
• Sweet: Pronounced natural sweetness with hints of fresh cream and sweet peas
• Vegetal: Fresh-cut grass, steamed edamame, and spring vegetable notes
• Buttery: Rich, creamy mouthfeel that coats the palate
• Marine: Delicate oceanic minerality that adds depth and complexity
• Smooth: Exceptionally silky texture with no astringency

The liquor is a brilliant jade-green with exceptional clarity and luminosity. The aroma is intoxicating—sweet, oceanic, and deeply vegetal—evoking the shade-covered tea gardens near Mount Fuji where this precious tea is cultivated.

Health & Wellness Benefits

Gyokuro is celebrated for its exceptional health-supportive properties, enhanced by the shade-growing process:

• Exceptionally High in Antioxidants: Shade-growing increases catechin and polyphenol content significantly
• High L-Theanine Content: Promotes deep calm, mental clarity, and focused relaxation—the highest of any tea
• Metabolism Support: May help support healthy metabolism and weight management
• Heart Health: May support cardiovascular wellness and healthy cholesterol levels
• Mental Clarity & Focus: The unique combination of L-theanine and caffeine creates alert calmness
• Immune Support: Rich in vitamins C and E, which may help strengthen the body's defenses
• Chlorophyll-Rich: High chlorophyll content may support natural detoxification
• Digestive Health: May support healthy digestion and gut wellness
• Moderate Caffeine: Contains approximately 35–60 mg of caffeine per cup—providing gentle, sustained energy

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.