Organic Gyokuro SELECT Green Tea
Our Organic Gyokuro SELECT is an exceptional limited edition organic green tea made by Osada Seicha, a family owned Japanese tea company deeply committed to "making tea friendly to people and the earth." Representing the pinnacle of Japanese green tea, Gyokuro (pronounced gyo-KUR-o) is shaded prior to harvesting, which stresses the tea plant, resulting in a higher chlorophyll content evident in its glossy dark-green leaves. In the cup, this outstanding organic tea produces a rich vegetal nose of buttery greens and sweet late harvest spinach. The clear yellow-green infusion features a smooth and creamy mouthfeel, with less astringency than our classic Gyokuro and sweet and savory notes of dark seaweed, raw almond and honeydew melon.
As is customary with most Japanese teas, our organic Gyokuro SELECT exhibits mixed grading consisting of both small and larger leaf pieces and very fine particles to create a full and brothy cup that, according to Japanese tea culture, creates a harmonious infusion revealing the full breadth of the leaf.
Brewing Gyokuro like any other green tea can produce a fantastic cup, no doubt, but the traditional method really highlights the beautiful umami qualities this tea is known for. We recommend steeping one teaspoon of Gyokuro in 8 oz of water heated to 158 degrees F (or lower) for only one minute. After that, steep one or two more times, extending the steeping time slightly with each subsequent infusion.
Ingredients: organic Japanese green tea
Origin: Osada Seicha, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
Located in central Japan, Shizuoka is known as the capital of Japanese green tea production. Though it is not the oldest producer of tea, it is the largest; this prefecture alone accounts for 40 percent of all green tea production in Japan. Mori Machi is located in an area of Shizuoka that is referred to as “organic tea’s home.” Osada Seicha, the manufacturer and tea garden, has been both growing and manufacturing tea since 1947 and has received numerous international and national awards including a Frontier Prize at the 2010 World Green Tea Contest for their Japan Pu-Erh Tea. For those concerned with the implications of the Fukushima-Daiichi disaster, we continue to have our organic teas from Japan independently tested for radiation.
Steeping Instructions
At Arbor Teas, we believe tea should be brewed to suit your personal taste. We’re happy to make recommendations to get you started, but don’t hesitate to experiment! When brewing your tea, your main considerations are tea quantity, water temperature, and steeping time. Brewing Gyokuro like any other green tea can produce a fantastic cup, but the traditional method really highlights the beautiful umami qualities it is known for. We recommend steeping one teaspoon of Gyokuro in 8 oz of water heated to 158 degrees F (or lower) for only one minute. After that, steep one or two more times, extending the steeping time slightly with each subsequent infusion. For the best flavor, use fresh water whenever possible, and avoid overboiling. Try not to steep your tea longer than necessary, as you’ll extract undesirable bitterness from the leaves. If you want a stronger brew, don’t steep longer, just use more tea. And don’t forget to re-steep your tea leaves to get the most out of your leaf!
Looking for more info? Check out our How-To Guides and Eco-Brewing Tips!
Staff Perspectives
Sarah
" Gyokuro SELECT is a luxurious delight! The smooth cup delivers a light and salty cucumber skin flavor that lingers in your mouth."
Lea
" I love the gorgeous lemon-lime color of the brew, and the velvety buttery and vegetal taste. Take a moment to enjoy the sweet aroma of your empty cup after you finish sipping."
Health Benefits
Like all true tea, Gyokuro green tea offers many potential health benefits. Research has found that tea (Camellia sinensis) can have many positive effects on human health, including improved cardiovascular function, cancer risk reduction, improved immune function, improved oral health, and help with weight management. Tea is also full of polyphenols, which are a class of antioxidant that help your body maintain homeostasis and balance your stress levels.
Gyokuro specifically has elevated levels of L-theanine, a beneficial amino acid to help balance stress levels and promote a sense of calm and focus. This is a result of the shading the tea plants undergo for several weeks before harvest. The shading stresses the plant, and causes an increased production of certain nutrients including chlorophyll and L-theanine.
For more information about the health benefits of gyokuro and other types of tea, and for direct sources of the above information, check out our Tea Health Benefits page!
Please note: the information above is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
