Gyokuro Green Tea
Gyokuro Green Tea
Gyokuro Green Tea is a shade-grown superior quality green tea. This variety spends 20 days out of the sun to allow the rich green leaves to darken. This is done by spreading bamboo leaves over the tops of the plant as it approaches harvest time. This has the effect of making the leaves produce more chlorophyll, in turn making the leaves a rich green color, a trademark of this type of tea.
In Japan this type of tea is known as “sencha” but Gyokuro Green Tea is slightly different to the regular sencha which is grown in full sun and consequently to prepare it correctly, there are different parameters regarding the brew temperature, the ratio of water to tea, and the amount of time the brew takes to form. The temperature in particular plays a large part in determining the flavor of the resulting tea.
To be brewed correctly, the water must only be raised to a maximum of 155°F, that’s just over 60°C. If the tea is brewed at a higher temperature it may still be an acceptable beverage, but to truly enjoy the full flavor of this delicately balanced tea, it is recommended to stick to the guidelines.
Because this tea is brewed at such a low temperature in comparison to other teas, it is also prudent to preheat teapot and drinking vessels so that once poured it does not become tepid due to heat loss.
The Japanese follow this method;
They boil a kettle, allow it to cool slightly for a couple of minutes and then pour the hot water into a teapot which will warm the pot. They then take several cups, fill two of them from the teapot to heat them, then using the same water again and an empty cup, they pour the water backwards and forwards between the cups until they are all warm. This process also adds oxygen to the water which will improve the taste of the resulting brew. The water can now be returned to the teapot and Gyokuro Green Tea leaves added. The teapot can now be left to brew for 2-3 minutes without being stirred or disturbed. This delightful tea will now be ready to drink. The leaves can be infused a further time for approximately 30 seconds and another brew made.
Gyokuro Green Tea has a very rich history in Japan and is revered among tea house ceremonial preparers and has now become a favorite amongst the drinkers worldwide especially those who prefer to drink green tea.
You can get Gyokuro from Teavana.
