Gyokuro Tea
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The Finest Japanese Green Tea

Gyokuro tea is one of the finest Japanese green teas. Dark green leaves, amazing fragrance and sweet flavour is what you will experience while drinking this liquor.

If are you looking for a refreshing treat after dinner or an afternoon delight to both relax and give you the energy you need, this tea is perfect for you. Embellished with a deep bluish green colour and strengthened by powerful green tea antioxidants, Gyokuro will protect you and take you on an unforgettable journey.

Sit tight and relax while we discover together, this amazing Japanese green tea.

First grown in 1835 and mainly produced in the regions of Yame, Uiji and Asahina, Gyokuro tea originates not only from the Yabukita tea bush, as Sencha tea, but also from the Asahi, Okumidori, Yamakai and Sae Midori tea bushes.

To offer you an intriguing and unique tea, such as Gyokuro, tea producers must adopt special processing methods, which makes it quite expensive and difficult to find. Nevertheless, it is worth it as soon as you have a sip and feel its sweetness lingering in your mouth.

To better understand the complexity and character of this particular tea, you must discover how the leaves are grown and harvested.

And to truly appreciate it you must travel into its heart and understand its colour, fragrance, aroma and health benefits.

Processing Gyokuro Tea

Like matcha tea, an astonishing powdered Japanese green tea, Gyokuro is grown under shade, which alters the chemical composition of the leaves. Let’s have a closer look at the art of processing this tea.

• Shading - Gyokuro tea is grown in a misty and rainy climate, in a lower altitude than sencha. Three or four weeks before plucking, the tea bush is covered with black curtains or bamboo and straw shades.
  
  Shading defines the character of the tea by reducing the photosynthesis process and so increasing the chlorophyll content. The leaves become dark green and the tannin content is reduced, that is why you will experience a sweeter flavour, instead of the astringent taste common among green teas.
  
  Your beverage will also have a higher amount of sugar and theanine which will help you relax and stay alert at the same time.


• Plucking – The wonderful fragrance you feel while drinking Gyokuro tea, comes from the youngest leaf buds picked in the first flush, in spring, just once a year.


• Steaming – The leaves are immediately steamed to stop the oxidation process and preserve their characteristic flavour.


• Cooling - Next the leaves are cooled down, which will also reduce their moisture content.


• Rolling – Gyokuro tea leaves undergo several stages of rolling in order to soften the leaves, promote drying and to allow them to acquire their delicate shape.


• Drying – to further reduce their moisture, the leaves are dried again. By this stage, these tea leaves are called "aracha", which will be sorted into several grades named "tencha". Gyokuro tea will come to life through the finest grade of tencha.


• Firing – the leaves are then fired to reduce the moisture once again, thus making the tea last longer and enhancing its flavour.


• Maturing – finally the leaves are aged during several months so that you may enjoy that sweet mellow taste.

Indeed this is an art that requires dedication, patience and skillfulness, allowing you to experience a truly calming and refreshing moment in the immense world of green tea and its benefits. Like other Japanese green teas we’ve had the pleasure of introducing you to, Gyokuro tea is an open door to a world of benefits that will protect you every sip you take.

Gyokuro Tea Health Benefits

Empowered by the powerful green tea antioxidants, this nectar will boost your immune system, make you feel refreshed and younger and help you to burn body fat, as it is one of the weight loss teas. It seems interesting and appealing, doesn’t it?

Have a look at the following health benefits and find out if this is the right tea for you.

• Burn Fat, Build Muscle
  
  If you are a follower of green tea diets, Gyokuro tea may be a good choice for you. Or have you ever wondered how to lose body fat in a healthy way, without depriving yourself from all the things you love? Drinking green tea at meals or during the day will help you lose those extra pounds you wish and still make you feel energetic and vigorous.
  
  Green tea amazing antioxidants, namely EGCG, speed up your metabolism, burning calories and fat much faster. Combine it with a balanced diet and you will feel it working every step of the way, while making you feel healthier and stronger.
  
  So if you usually take the lift, try the stairs; or, if it’s a sunny day and you have enough time, walk to work.
  
  Here’s a tip: You can even eat Gyokuro tea leaves, since they are so soft and tender. Try eating them with soy sauce and lemon juice. It is delicious and it can give you ideas to create your own green tea recipes.


• Lower Cancer Risk
  
  Thanks to its high content in antioxidants, Gyokuro tea is able to fight free radicals, which are responsible for the growth of tumors. Gyokuro tea will strengthen your immune system, making it able to fight cancer and other harmful bacteria.
  
  Now imagine what can this medicinal tea do for you and your loved ones on a daily basis? Embrace it, try it, introduce it to your friends and discuss how it makes you feel. Exchange experiences and enjoy yourself in this discovery process.


• Protect Brain Function
  
  Green tea also contains caffeine and theanine, especially Gyokuro tea, due to the shading process. However, caffeine in tea works as a healthier stimulant and it is released progressively during the day. This means it will enhance your cognition and alertness, shorten your reaction time, stimulate your heart and improve your concentration.
  
  Therefore, if you are looking for an energy boost that lasts longer, without getting stressed, Gyokuro is a great coffee alternative.


• Healthier Heart
  
  Do you wish to keep your heart healthy and strong? Drinking tea on a regular basis is a good way to do it. Every drop of tea fills your body with minerals, nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins that reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, by lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and regulating your blood sugars levels.
  
  It is wonderful to lower blood pressure and protect you from dangerous toxins.


• Dental Health
  
  Other good news is presence of fluoride and minerals in your cup. Will it cleanse your mouth? Green tea acts as an antiviral agent, preventing bacterial infections, dental plaque and tooth decay. Your breath will be fresher and your mouth will happily smile.

Being a green tea, Gyokuro has much more to offer, so to continue discovering the world of green tea, have a look at our page Green Tea Health Benefits and find out everything this tea has to offer you and its side effects as well.

To get the most out of your tea, you must brew it correctly, especially when it comes to Gyokuro tea. If you are a beginner, maybe you should try other teas to get more practice.

But don’t be discouraged, it takes patience and precision to brew the perfect cup of Gyokuro tea, so let’s do it together.

Drinking Gyokuro Tea

Unlike other green teas, Gyokuro tea is brewed at a lower temperature, so it is very important to get it right. Use good quality water, to enhance the flavour of the tea and brew it around 122ºF – 140ºF (50ºC – 60ºC). The low temperature will allow the tea to last longer and it will reduce the level of caffeine in your tea, making it a good option if you want to drink it, without keeping you awake! Make sure you pre-heat your cup and tea pot, considering the water’s low temperature. You want to enjoy a nice warm cup of tea. Getting the right amount of tea is a crucial step. Add 1 gram of loose leaf per each ounce of water (30ml). As you may see, the amount of tea and the water temperature differs from other teas.

Brew your Gyokuro in this beautiful Japanese teapot: In sunset red from Amazon.co.uk

Be aware that it is important to follow these steps as 5 or 10 degrees will make a difference in your tea, so keep trying till you get it right. It will be worth it. If you don’t have a thermometer, you may boil your water and then pour it into your teapot and cups, to let it cool down for a few minutes.

Another important step is the correct brewing time. Let it steep for two minutes. Watch your leaves unfurl and release that magic aroma. It is indeed a relaxing and beautiful moment to behold. Use a large teapot and allow them to expand.

Additional brews:

You can re-infuse your leaves but the steeping time differs. For the second brew, heat your water at 135ºF – 160ºF (57ºC – 66ºC), and infuse for 30 seconds. For the third brew, use water between 150ºF – 180ºF (66ºC – 82ºC) and let it steep for 60 seconds. Less time is needed for these other infusions, because your tea leaves are already open and you want to preserve the taste of your tea.

If you wish to brew iced Gyokuro tea, pour 1,5 tablespoons of loose leaf into your cup and add 3 or 4 ice cubes. Give it time to melt completely and drink it slowly.

Gyokuro tea should be drunk alone and slowly, to enjoy the distinctiveness it offers you. It is delicate, flavoured and sweet. It is ideal to drink in the afternoon if you wish to relax or after dinner as a treat.

You should store it in an air and light tight container, to avoid moisture. It can last up to 2 years, if stored correctly, and its taste will become even better as it ages!

It is a never ending world, full of surprises that will dazzle you every step of the way. Stay close, enjoy your Gyokuro tea and relax, as we will soon take you on another adventure.

In the mean time, check out other Japanese green teas, or learn more about green tea properties.

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”In the Taste of a single cup of tea you will eventually discover the truth of all the ten thousand forms in the universe.”
- Attributed to Kyongbong Sunim, Ch'an (Zen) Master