Find Store
When we think about Japanese green tea, the popular everyday companion Sencha or the celebrated Matcha often come to mind. As much as we appreciate these varieties, there's a standout tea that not everyone knows about: the unparalleled Gyokuro. It's a pure explosion of flavor in tea form that stands unmatched.
A Taste of the "Noble Brew"
Gyokuro is considered the most exquisite among Japanese green teas, a fact reflected in its name (玉露), which translates to "jade dew". As a shade-grown tea, Gyokuro's unique cultivation method gives it a distinct flavor profile, characterized by an especially sweet and savory aroma.
The Fascinating History of Gyokuro
Once reserved exclusively for the Japanese emperor, the precious Gyokuro is now treasured by tea enthusiasts worldwide. The meticulous craft and expertise involved in its production result in an unparalleled creamy texture and aromatic taste. Gyokuro embodies the uniqueness of Japanese tea cultivation and the art of processing: The weeks of shading before harvest enhance its flavors, while the special steaming method and artful rolling of the tea leaves preserve its exceptional taste.
The Art of Production – Unique Cultivation Methods
The secret to Gyokuro's rich flavor lies in its unique cultivation method. Originally meant to protect the tea leaves from environmental factors, growers discovered that shading the delicate plants led to an intensely rich flavor. Nowadays, Gyokuro is completely shaded for up to 30 days before harvest. This lack of sunlight turns the leaves a deep green and significantly boosts the chlorophyll content. This labor-intensive step pays off with every sip of the noble brew, as the abundant chlorophyll imparts a distinctively sweet umami taste.
Why Gyokuro Offers an Unparalleled Taste Experience
Gyokuro is considered Japan's most sought-after tea. But what makes its taste so special? It's the pronounced umami profile, combined with its intense sweet and savory notes, that defines the brew. The complex flavors of Gyokuro are reminiscent of the famous Japanese miso soup: an intense depth that envelops the entire palate, creamy yet fresh and green. Seasoned tea connoisseurs savor this exceptional tea in small sips to fully appreciate its impressive infusion of flavors.
From Shading to Harvest – Quality Features
Aside from the special shading technique, there are other characteristics that highlight this tea's specialty. Gyokuro is harvested only in the spring. Tea connoisseurs prize the delicate, young leaves that have hardly been exposed to weather conditions, making them particularly rich in desirable aromas. After picking, oxidation begins in the tea leaves, which is a crucial process in tea production. With fully oxidized tea leaves, you get black tea. However, for Gyokuro, this process is halted as early as possible using a special steaming technique. This preserves the vibrant green color and fresh, vegetal flavor notes of the leaves. Finally, the tea leaves are rolled, sealing in the fresh taste until the valuable tea meets warm water, unfolds, and releases its full bouquet of aromas.
Preparing Gyokuro to Perfection
BWhen preparing Gyokuro, it's important to highlight the tea's valuable umami notes. So, what exactly is umami?
Umami:;
Umami is marked by a remarkable depth and savory quality, often described as sweet yet hearty—simply delicious. Today, umami is recognized as the fifth taste, alongside sweet, salty, sour, and bitter, perceived by specific receptors on our tongues. This flavor appears in various foods, from tea and coffee to cheese and seaweed. Umami is hard to define with words and has a positive, almost addictive effect that promises pure culinary delight! Learn all about umami in tea in our magazine.
For Gyokuro, proper preparation is key. This exquisite tea calls for a relatively low water temperature, not exceeding 70°C (158°F). The perfect taste unveils with gently heated water, the right amount of water, and the precise, very short steeping time. Remarkably, Gyokuro can be steeped multiple times, revealing new dimensions of the umami experience with each infusion.
KUMANO – A Masterpiece in Your Teacup
If you're curious about this exclusive Japanese tea specialty, you should try our KUMANO. This tea is a Kukicha, made from the stems and leaves of the tea plant, exclusively from the premium components of the popular Sencha and the extraordinary Gyokuro. The infusion reveals fresh, grassy notes and the characteristic creaminess of Gyokuro. It's a special green tea for both the curious and connoisseurs alike.
Why Gyokuro Shouldn't Be Missing from Your Tea Shelf
Gyokuro, once the favorite tea of the Japanese emperor, is considered the most elegant green tea in Japanese tea culture and shouldn't be absent from your tea shelf. Like a fine wine, this tea is prized by enthusiasts globally. A cup of Gyokuro offers a touch of luxurious indulgence in daily life, whether as a small treat for yourself or a gift for loved ones. Its unique depth and complexity make it an essential experience for every tea lover.
