Gyokuro
A superior quality tea product with an exquisitely unique flavor
,”Gyokuro”
Gyokuro is known as the crowning glory of teas. This type of tea is produced with nearly the same process as Sencha, but the major difference is in how it is cultivated. For the last 10 to 20 days before it is gathered, Gyokuro is cultivated under reed and rice straw enclosures that keep out direct sunlight and maintain a lightly shaded environment. This special growing technique is called “ooishita.” This growing environment inhibits the natural process by which theanine, an umami component, transforms into catechin, an astringent component. The resulting tea is delicious, with abundant umami and sweetness.
Regular tea grown under lattice shading for at least 20 days immediately prior to harvest is called “Gyokuro.”
Gyokuro
Thanks to the lattice shade growing, this tea’s umami is coupled with its unique aromas and plentiful amino acids to bestow a flavor experience completely unique to Gyokuro.
Gyokuro growing is labor intensive. After the first buds flush, around 70% of the sunlight is blocked for around three weeks before the leaves are picked, rising to a shading of at least 90% by just prior to harvest. Meanwhile, the tea plants are nurtured intensively. At harvest, only the tips of the First-cut tender growth are very carefully plucked by hand.
Dento (traditional) Hon (original) Gyokuro
Aside from regular Gyokuro, Dento hon gyokuro is also available. This tea type starts with its ancient production method. Its key attribute is the use of the most artisanal production processes, accomplished almost completely by hand. These include nearly natural field growing and the use of woven natural straw as a shading material. The tea is vastly different from ordinary teas. Its uniqueness is its flavor, featuring traditional depth and intensity.
The name “Dento hon gyokuro” is used mainly in Kyushu. It signifies Gyokuro produced under standardized production conditions. These are clearly distinguished from regular Gyokuro production methods, and the standard methods involve hand labor, such as using natural materials for shade structures.
