Gyokuro green tea is grown in shade, unlike Sencha that’s grown unshaded. Compared to the Kabuse tea, the Gyukuro tea leaves are a little longer. The former is shaded for a week whereas the latter is shaded for approximately 3 – 4 weeks.
The Gyukuro tea is prepared from a special variety of plants including Okumidori, Asahi, Saemidori, and Yamakai. It is costly in comparison to other variants; a posh kind of a drink definitely loved by the green tea admirers!
About Gyokuro Green Tea
Gyokuro is popular as an umami tea. This is because of its rich antioxidant and mineral content that adds a depth of umami flavor.
Gyokuro, in Japanese, is termed as ‘jade dew’ tea. It is one of Japan’s finest green teas and dates back to the 1830s.
The Gyokuro tea emerges from the trade name of the product that Yamamotoyama, a tea manufacturer used to sell.
Later in 1835, Kahei (Tokuo) YAMAMOTO who was the 6th owner of Yamamotoyama and Toshiuemon TSUJI (Tsujitoshi) ended up roasting the tea leaves. He rounded them such that they took up a dew shape. It was then Gyokuro got its name from Jade Dew.
The Gyokuro green tea has a very elite fragrance/flavor.
The tea leaves are put in shelter from daylight for approximately three to four weeks, that is, 20-30 days before the harvest. This inimitable procedure of harvesting brings a sweet taste to the tea.
The shading process further keeps up the high nutrient concentration in the leaves. Gyokuro is prepared only from the tiny tea leaves of the plant.
The harvesters pull them from the upper part of the plant. Therefore, the Gyokuro tea looks rich and smooth, with a sweet flavor and fresh aroma.
Like Longjing tea, gyokuro green tea is also known as the “shade-grown” green tea.
What is the cultivation process of Gyokuro tea?
The Gyokuro green tea leaves have augmented caffeine levels. The cultivators shade the leaves from the sun for 20 days using straw mats.
This process also allows the plant to get stronger in amino acids, producing a sweeter and stronger flavor. This unique cultivation process brings a particular odor that is actually soothing!
The leaves being covered for a long time throughout the cultivation process, make the tea leaves dark in color. Therefore, the tea you have is usually mossy green.
What does gyokuro tea taste like?
The Gyokuro green tea is just like Matcha. It has a pleasing flavor and is buttery sweet. Well, the real taste differs as per the type of harvest and the climate in which the plant grows.
It is redolent to grass and seaweed adding up to a sweeter taste compared to other teas.
As the Gyukuro originates from Japan, the Japanese use two expressions called umami and shibumi, which is astringency. Something that is not so sweet is termed Shibumi.
On the other hand, umami is a pleasant sweet taste. As we know, photosynthesis takes place under the sunlight which increases the amounts of catechin. More catechin means shibumi taste.
While cultivating Gyukuro green tea, since the plants are taken to share, they produce lesser catechins. Hence, the cultivation promotes the ratio of l-theanine and amino acid to catechin, thus enhancing the umami flavor.
It is better to brew the Gyokuro leaves at a low temp – 40 C/104 F. However, you may go up to 80 C/176 F. The cooler one tastes very pleasant and mildly sweet. While the hotter one looks cleaner and clear green.
There are both leaves and tea bags available in the market. While tea bags are easy to use, it is still a good idea to go with the loose leaves. With the leaves, you will know the exact flavor with no chemicals used or extra processing done.
How does Gyokuro tea leaves look like?
Gyokuro green tea leaves are dark green in color. Its rich and layered flavors give it a mild sugariness, unlike other green teas.
The Gyokuro dry leaves are long needle-like leaves. They have a sweet smell. While they are glowing green in color, the wet leaves are grassy green.
Due to the shade cultivation, the leaf wears a chemical makeup slightly changing to a silverish shade.
And, since the sunlight is limited, the tea plants have an excess of amino acids, flavanols, and sugars. These elements enhance the overall taste of the tea.
Overall, when the tea leaves are steeped, the cup of gyokuro green tea looks like a light green liquor. Its mild sweetness and creamy taste make it a perfect serve.
How much caffeine is in gyokuro green tea?
The difference in climate, harvesting, and location makes it tough to gauge the exact caffeine content in Gyokuro green tea.
However, it can be agreed that Gyokuro is among the most caffeinated teas. Its shading method forces it to produce more caffeine and decreased catechin content.
Although, sources mention Gyokuro green tea to have 160mg of caffeine content per 100g.
Compared to other green teas, the Gyokuro green tea has higher caffeine content. As mentioned, the shading practice of not letting the plant being exposed to the sun for about a month increases the amount of caffeine.
When the leaves are processed, they are steamed so that the oxidation process comes to a half after the harvest. The green tea that undergoes steam to stop oxidation has more caffeine than the ones that are pan-fired or air-dried.
The water temperature also contributes to the decision of caffeine content. It is recommended to brew the green tea in the water boiling not more than 140 degrees.
The cooler the water, the lower will be the caffeine levels.
The steep time further impacts the caffeine amounts. The longer the steeping time, the higher would be the caffeine content.
It will therefore bring out a rich vegetal flavor in the Gyokuro. It is ideal to infuse the Gyokuro for about 3 -4 minutes.
Lastly, the number of tea leaves you use for a cup of green tea will determine the amount of your caffeine intake.
Consider using more leaves compared to water, probably one teaspoon for six ounces of water to bring a strong brewed high caffeinated green tea.
Is gyokuro the best green tea?
Gyokuro green tea has a high level of L-theanine. This is an amino acid that helps normalize the stress levels and also calms you down. It further helps enhance focus and concentration in a better manner.
As mentioned earlier, before the harvesting season, the tea plant is put in the shade for a few weeks. Shading helps the plant to grow few essential nutrients like L-theanine and chlorophyll.
This particular plant holds more chlorophyll in it than converting it into bitter tannins. Studies have said that green tea plant produces high levels of fructose and theanine which contributes to the natural sweetness of the leaves.
Gyokuro appears to be on the list of best green teas. It is because for the fact that it involves very careful cultivation leading to a higher number of antioxidants present in the tea.
All the antioxidants vital for the immune of the body make it a power pack for the consumers. Moreover, the tea is good for anyone who wants to intake caffeine but also wants to get rid of the demerits a cup of coffee has.
From its ability to preventing cancers to helping people reduce weight or enhance their mental health, the Gyokuro has all the strengths.
The careful cultivation, the ability to deliver multiple health benefits, the flavor, and the taste of the tea make Gyokuro not just the best but a premium green tea.
How long does gyokuro last?
The gyokuro green tea lasts for a few months if stored properly. Store green tea in a container that is clean, airtight, and free from odor. Ensure that the container is not of a glass material.
If it is, to avoid excess light, the tea should be stored in a dark cabinet. In addition, the container should be just the right size for the tea leaves to evade extra air.
Do not let the Gyokuro tea leaves come in contact with certain variables such as oxygen, temperature, humidity, or light. The leaves end up losing their freshness soon as they come in contact with such variables.
In Japan, green tea is stored in a stainless steel container called “chazutsu”. Other common choices include copper, ceramic, etc.
Also, an unopened refrigerated green tea lasts for 1 year.
Can you eat leftover Gyokuro leaves?
Yes, the Gyokuro green tea leaves are 100% edible. Being expensive you don’t want to let the steeped leaves just thrown away, isn’t it? So, here are a few ways you could try for eating gyokuro leaves:
1. You can make a perfect snack. Simply toss them in soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. It will give you a seaweed kind of a taste perfect to have it over rice or in an omelet and scrambled eggs.
2. Interestingly, you can add it when preparing fried rice and add rice eggs, and vegetables. Or try it out with some soy sauce. You can try sushi-style rice as well.
3. Some people also consume used gyokuro saying they are very soft and easier to have. Just like they eat arugula, they consume gyokuro.
4. The Japanese prepare a dish called Shizuku cha. It requires you to take a teaspoon of gyokuro. Simply add 20-30 ml of boiling water to the gyokuro and leave it to cool down. Cover for 2-3 minutes and steep it.
The aroma is the best in the first cup. Have it for the second and third time adding 20-30 ml of water at 60-degree Celsius. For the fourth time, pour water at 80-degree Celsius.
Now, after so many reuses, the leftover leaves still stay healthy. They have abundant vitamins and minerals. You can add them in dashi soy sauce, vinegar sauce, and pour some rock salt.
5. Gyokuro is also used in a Japanese dish called Furikake. It is white rice with seasoning done on top. Furikake in Japanese means sprinkle. It has a mixture of salmon flakes, powdered miso, dried egg particles, monosodium glutamate, dried bits of tuna, sugar, salt, and sesame seeds.
To prepare Furikake, first, take a tablespoon of gyokuro and prepare your tea. Enjoy a cup of it! Now heat a frying pan and add the wet leaves to the pan.
Once heated, lower down the flame to avoid burning the leaves. Keep stirring it till the tea leaves get dried up. Now add a pinch of salt, some sesame seeds, and start frying all of it for half a minute. The seasoning is ready to sprinkle on the rice.
6. Lastly, try eating them with soy sauce and lemon juice.
What makes Gyokuro tea so expensive?
Gyokuro green tea’s high price tag derives from its tiresome manufacturing process. Since it is a shade-grown tea, i.e., grown under the roof for quite a few weeks before harvesting, the leaves demand an incessant adjustment and care.
One has to keep monitoring how much they bread during processing. Harvesters recognize the value of the leaves accordingly. It, therefore, requires a lot more labor to produce Gyokuro.
A limited quantity is another reason for the hiked prices. Cultivation of the tea takes place from April to early June. The harvest of Gyokuro takes place just once a year.
Therefore, the quantity present in the market is what the farmers produce during the year.
While Gyokuro is grown in the entire country of Japan, the production is majorly covered by three areas. These three areas are the Uji in Kyoto, Yame in Fukuoka, and Okabe in Shizuoka.
The limitation being to just the 3 major areas of production, the supply gets limited making the Gyokuro tea very expensive.
Gyokuro also takes a huge amount of time in production plus extra efforts. For instance, during the harvest, it needs shading at least for 3-4 weeks.
This process enhances the taste of the tea making it a premium and expensive kind of tea.
Lastly, another major reason that makes Gyokuro green tea expensive is the forte and continuous demand for the tea in countries like America and Japan.
Health benefits of Gyokuro Green Tea
You would be startled to learn that it is not just the subtle taste, but gyokuro green tea comes with plentiful remedies to health concerns. Its amazing health benefits make it one of the finest green teas available on the market.
Recent research and studies show that the tea, made of Camellia sinensis, has multiple positive health effects. It helps improve cardiovascular function, improve immunity function, reduces the risk of cancer, and improves your oral health.
Even better, it helps manage weight and control diabetes.
In addition, green tea has polyphenols which is an antioxidant that helps to maintain our homeostasis and balances the stress level. Let’s dive in deep and look at the Gyokuro green tea benefits.
1. Improves dental health
Despite enough caffeine content in it, Gyokuro is quite different from coffee. While coffee creates stains in the teeth, green tea helps intensify your oral health.
In addition, the polyphenol content in green tea prevents cavities.
People facing issues about bad breath will find that the tea improves their overall oral health. It eliminates oral concerns such as gum disease and gingivitis.
This is possible because Gyokuro green tea cleans up your mouth. It avoids bacterial infections, tooth decay, and dental plaque. It is an antiviral agent for dental health.
Besides, Gyokuro is rich in fluoride and minerals that help you keep up with your oral health. It keeps your breath fresh and you are less likely to suffer from plagues in the mouth.
In addition, you can easily get away with frustrating oral issues such as tooth decay or mouth infections.
The Gyokuro fights bacterial growth and enzyme activity in the mouth. In fact, it is proved in studies that people who had gyokuro tea regularly had lower chances of oral cancer comparatively.
2. Help burn calories and fat
Gyokuro has a powerful antioxidant just like all other green teas. It is the EGCG, an antioxidant that enhances the body’s metabolism. It promotes faster consumptions of energy and therefore helps the body to burn fat effortlessly.
While gyokuro components cleanse the body, they enhance the digestion process. This is again one prominent reason why one can burn fats due to enhanced digestion capabilities.
In fact, the fats burn four times faster than the time when you were not having this tea.
3. Prevents cancer
The EGCG not only cures oral concerns and obesity issues but is also super powerful to reduce the risk of cancer. Free radicals are responsible for the growth of tumors.
While green tea, in general, can combat free radicals, Gyokuro is the strongest of all.
The research proves that green tea has been able to stave off the chances of ovary, prostate, breast, bladder, and pancreatic cancer.
However, for patients already suffering from cancer, consider consulting the doctor before you start drinking the Gyokuro tea.
4. Improves Skin Heath
The gyokuro green tea is rich in vitamin C. This vitamin lightens the dark spots and scars on the skin. It also helps decrease wrinkles in the body because they improve the elasticity of the skin.
Hence, this can be a perfect pack of your secret to younger glowing skin!
Also, the caffeine present in the tea works as an anti-irritant tothe skin. In other words, it helps you get rid of skin irritation and hence its damage.
Moreover, tea consumption comes with abundant detoxification benefits. The tea elements hydrate the skin and further make it smoother and flexible.
This happens because hydrated skin can remove all the toxins in the body and therefore boost up overall health. Releasing toxins leads to blemish-free and acne-free skin, hence, enhancing the skin’s complexion.
Apart from this, the catechins present in green tea have antibacterial properties. They are the antioxidants that contribute to improving the body’s immune system and heal any bacterial infections in the skin.
In addition, the catechins reduce inflammation in the skin avoiding any redness in the body.
Also, the Gyokuro tea heals the scars faster compared to the acne. Studies also show that the anti-inflammatory properties of green tea pacify body ache and lessen inflammation.
5. Good for heart
Gyokuro is an excellent remedy for your health and blood. It has catechins that diminish the risks of heart problems like attacks, strokes, or any blood clots.
Also, the antioxidants remove the fats from the arteries. So, if you have a history of heart problems, Gyokuro tea is a sure-shot winner.
Apart from this, Gyokuro green tea fights diabetes. It can uphold blood glucose levels at the right rates. They evade stress in the pancreas cells which produce insulin.
Likewise, the components of Gyokuro protect the liver from toxic substances.
Interestingly, Gyokuro tea protects the liver against lethal things such as alcohol and therefore prevents Hepatitis.
The Gyokuro does not just have abundant antioxidants but also multiple other nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. They altogether work in preventing health diseases, and (bad) LDL cholesterol.
Apart from this, the ECGC in green tea treats hepatitis. Hepatitis is an inflammation problem in the liver that happens due to deadly viruses damaging the body.
The ECGC is seen to treat problems such as Crohn’s disease and colitis.
Another element called polyphenols blocks the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. It does this by building cholesterol excretion capacity in the body.
In addition, the polyphenols or the catechins help boost the immune system of the body. It keeps the body away from colds and flu.
Its antimicrobial properties stop the body from accepting any infections.
6. Improves mental health and brain function
Compared to other green teas, Gyokuro has higher levels of caffeine content. The caffeine increases when cultivators prepare it using the highest quality tea leaves from the top of the plant.
It, therefore, keeps you attentive for a long time. Gyokuro green tea is a seamless substitute for coffee for the fact that it delivers all the positives effects of a coffee with no side effects.
Though it sounds superficial, the tea is capable of enhancing your brain’s performance with the combination of L-theanine and excessive caffeine content.
They result in relaxed concentration. L-theanine allows the body to release caffeine and moderate the elevation of serotonin levels.
It can reduce both physical and mental stress. It improves a person’s mood and delivers cognitive performance with the help of caffeine.
The Gyokuro tea not just helps boost the brain functions and sharpening of the memory but also promotes the health of the brain.
It prevents neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s illness, Alzheimer’s, etc. This is again due to the catechin compound which is popular for its positive effect on neurons.
Conclusion
Gyokuro green tea is the world’s finest green teas discovered. The long process of cultivation makes the Gyokuro tea elite and expensive. But it’s worth the cost.
The health benefits prove why it is rapidly gaining popularity across the globe. While many companies sell green tea planted in the United States, most of them ship from Japan.
The Gyokuro green tea is steeped at a temperature that is quite less in comparison to other green tea variants. Therefore, it is best to preheat the pot first so that when you transfer the water, it remains hot.
Soaking at a low temperature for a good amount of time boosts up the taste.
However, it is better to avoid Gyokuro tea for children. Excess caffeine intake for kids may be harmful. You should consult the doctor before giving them green tea for other benefits.
The Gyokuro green tea is available in the market in various flavors and blends. The prices vary accordingly. Hence, there is a possibility that one kind of Gyokuro differs from what the other seller may be offering.
Overall, Gyokuro green tea is good for health. But it may cause heart palpitations, nausea, and stomach ache in some individuals.
Also, caffeine sensitivity may lead to insomnia. So, it is recommended that you start with one cup of Gyokuro green tea.