This tea can be called one of the best ever grown and harvested in Japan. Excellent aroma, subtle and refined notes, rich aftertaste easily compete with the best Chinese and Indian teas.

A lot has been said about Gyokuro. In particular, and about its name – pearl dew. But all the stories agree on one thing – this tea is really the pearl of tea production in the land of sakura. Most of the tea plantations where the varieties of teas from which Gyokuro is produced are grown in the highlands of Uji. What about Kyoto – one of the big cities located on the island of Honshu. Moreover, some plantations (Mount Heizan) are about 200 years old, they were founded by Buddhist monks in the 19th century.

This tea is truly extraordinary. After all, most green teas leave behind an aftertaste with a hint of bitterness. But it is Gyokuro that has a wonderful taste with an incredibly light touch of sweetness. The Japanese themselves consider this infusion to be festive and, accordingly, serve it on the day of any celebration. And right before a meal or after a meal. It is believed that this tea has refreshing and cleansing properties.

Collection and production of tea

Gyokuro has a lot of varieties that are distinguished by a variety of tastes. Like all Japanese high-grade teas, pearl dew is harvested only by hand. Taste qualities depend on the variety and the place where the plantation is located. The collection of leaves occurs at different times and again depends on the location of the plantation.

This tea is made from special varieties:

Asahi;
Okumidori;
Yamaki;
Fujisubo;
Gokou, etc.
The process of collecting and processing leaves is very interesting. Twelve days before harvest, when the buds are full, the tea bushes are shaded. Using special “curtains” made from a mat or a special fabric. Thus, the content of theanine and caffeine (amino acids) is increased. At the same time, the special bitterness inherent in all green teas disappears and an exquisite and unusual sweetish taste is acquired. It is thanks to the darkening that the finished product retains an amazing rich green color.

The leaves are cut with special scissors, after which the collected leaves are immediately sent to the factory. After harvesting, the tea leaf is steamed, but not for long, only 20 minutes. So In this way, color is preserved, vitamins are preserved and excellent aromatic and taste qualities are preserved. And fermentation is not allowed. Then the leaves are rolled into tubes and dried. The end result is a blend that resembles freshly plucked spruce needles.

The pearl of tea production in Japan is considered one of the most expensive teas in the world. Not only because it is produced from special varieties. But rather due to the fact that only the tops of the tea flush are taken into production. This completely eliminates the ingress of old leaves into the mixture.

Cooking features

For the Japanese, this tea is associated with celebration and the arrival of guests. Its refined, incredibly mild taste takes you to a world of pleasure and relaxation. And the magnificent aroma is surprisingly fresh, like the mountain air of Fujiyama. On the territory of the Russian Federation, Gyokuro can only be purchased at a specialized Japanese store. It is sold by weight and in packaging. It can also be ordered from the online store.

This tea requires a special approach. Therefore, it must be brewed according to a special recipe. In order not to destroy amino acids and Gyokuro does not lose its amazing properties, it is brewed with cooled boiling water. That is, hot water 60-65 ° C. The infusion is allowed to stand for about two minutes. Moreover, for 200-250 ml. comes a teaspoon of the mixture.

When brewing again, the temperature of the water must be increased, while the excellent properties of this drink do not disappear. As you know, with repeated brewing, the taste qualities of green teas are only revealed. Especially if they are high quality like Gyokuro.

Properties of Gyokuro Tea

Many do not even suspect that teas contain many useful substances. They simply drink the drink out of habit, tradition, or because of taste sensations. Of course, like any drink, tea should be tasty, but other than that, it has great properties.

Some substances are found only in green teas. For example, theanine. Not so long ago, scientists determined that this substance perfectly stimulates the brain. And there is an incredible amount of theanine in Gyokuro tea. Therefore, this drink can be called the “drink of geniuses.” It is not for nothing that the Japanese love this tea so much, it not only helps in brain function, but also perfectly relaxes. It restores nerve cells and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system as a whole. For those, who engaged in meditation, this drink is simply irreplaceable. Few teas can simultaneously activate the brain and have a relaxing effect on the body.