Gyokuro (Jade Dewdrop) — Premium Shaded Japanese Tea

Gyokuro: The Jade Dewdrop. Considered one of Japan’s highest-grade green teas, Gyokuro is distinct because its tea bushes are shaded for approximately three weeks before harvest, similar to Matcha. This process boosts chlorophyll and L-Theanine content, resulting in an exceptionally sweet, creamy texture and a deep, mellow umami flavour without the bitterness often associated with green tea. It is a prized tea for special occasions.

Flavour Profile & Elegance
Gyokuro offers a luxurious, savory, and profound sensory experience:

• Aroma: Rich, sweet, and complex, often described as "seaweed" or "nori" (due to high umami) and sometimes sweet like cut hay.
• **Taste:** Extremely smooth, thick (brothy), intensely sweet, and dominated by a deep, savory umami flavor. It has virtually no astringency. The infusion is a pale, translucent jade-green.
• **Appearance:** Dark, thin, glossy, and needle-like leaves, slightly shorter than Sencha, with a deep green colour.
• Origin: Uji or Yame regions, Japan.

A Premium Gift of Refinement for the New Year
Gifting Gyokuro is an expression of high esteem and respect. As a luxury tea, it symbolizes wealth, refinement, and rare quality, making it a spectacular choice for a New Year's gift. Its calming effects, derived from high L-Theanine, are perfect for moments of quiet reflection during the festive season.

Brewing Guidelines
Use exceptionally cool water: 120–140°F (50–60°C). Steep 2 teaspoons of leaves per 6oz (180ml) of water for 2–3 minutes. The cool water is essential to extract the sweetness and umami while suppressing bitterness. Gyokuro can yield 3–5 premium infusions, with each subsequent steep requiring a slight increase in water temperature.