Gyokuro Japanese Green Tea
Gyokuro Japanese Green Tea
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Gyokuro (玉露, meaning "jade dew") is a shade-grown Japanese green tea from Uji in Kyoto Prefecture. For 20-30 days before harvest, the tea plants are covered to block up to 90% of sunlight. This changes the leaf chemistry — chlorophyll and amino acids increase while catechins decrease — resulting in a rich umami flavour with low bitterness when brewed carefully.
Our Gyokuro is harvested during the first flush (ichiban-cha) when the leaves are at their most tender. It's quite different from other green teas — if you've only tried sencha or Chinese greens, the deep umami character can be a real eye-opener.
How does it taste
Rich umami is the first thing you notice — savoury and sweet at the same time, with a marine quality that some people compare to nori or fresh seaweed. The texture is smooth and almost creamy. Underneath there are fresh vegetal notes, but nothing grassy or sharp. When brewed at the right temperature, gyokuro gives a deep umami cup with a soft finish.
Tea profile
- Taste: Rich umami, marine sweetness, smooth, fresh vegetal notes
- Type: Shade-grown Japanese green tea
- Origin: Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
- Oxidation: 0% — non-oxidized (steamed to stop oxidation)
- TCM Property: Cool (凉性) — refreshing, suits warm weather
- Harvest: First flush (ichiban-cha), spring 2024
- Ingredients: 100% first-flush gyokuro green tea leaves
- Caffeine: High (higher than most green teas due to shading)
Brewing instructions
Important: Gyokuro needs lower water temperature than other green teas. Water that's too hot can bring out bitterness and mask the umami.
Traditional method (recommended):
Use 5g of tea per 150ml water at 60-70°C (not boiling — let your kettle cool for several minutes, or mix boiling water with room temperature water). Steep for 90-120 seconds for the first infusion. Second infusion: 60°C for 60 seconds. Third infusion: 70°C for 30 seconds. Each infusion brings out different flavour layers.
Casual method:
Use 5g of tea per 150ml water at 65°C. Steep for 5 minutes. This is simpler but you'll get more of the concentrated umami character in one infusion.
Joanne's notes
The brewing temperature is lower than what most people expect, and getting it right makes a big difference to the taste. When customers try it properly brewed at our bar, the reaction is usually "I didn't know green tea could taste like this."
If you enjoy gyokuro's umami character, you might also like our ceremonial grade matcha, which shares that deep savoury quality.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from light and moisture. For longer storage, keep it in the fridge in a sealed bag — but let it come to room temperature before opening to avoid condensation.
About Japanese green tea
Japanese green teas are steamed rather than pan-fired, giving them a brighter, more vegetal character than Chinese greens. Gyokuro sits at the top of the range — the shading process is what separates it from sencha (which is grown in full sun). Explore our Japanese green tea and matcha collection to see the full range.
About A Moment of Tea
Visit Our Hobart Tea Bar: Find us at Salamanca Art Centre where we've been sharing tea culture since 2022.
Tea Experience: Joanne has spent over 10 years learning tea traditions - from Chinese gongfu brewing in Beijing to Japanese matcha ceremonies here in Hobart.
Local Recognition: Featured in The Mercury, ABC, SBS Chinese, and Tasmanian community publications for bringing authentic tea culture to our community.
Carefully Selected Teas & Teaware: We select Chinese, Japanese and Tasmanian teas, plus teaware that we personally use and enjoy.
Easy Returns: Something not quite right? Email us within 7 days and we'll make it right.
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Let customers speak for us
from 140 reviewsHighly recommended cute tea pets! Puppy and kitty love them toooooooo!!!
Aged White Tea 2012 (Lao Bai Cha)
A good quality chen pi at a great price. Much better than the chen pi found in supermarkets.
I’m really enjoying this tea. Very smooth, an incredible tea to taste. Highly recommend. Will definitely repurchase and continue to try other teas you recommend. Thankyou
This is seriously a lovely tea. Smooth flavour and no bitterness at all. I usually like milk with my tea but no problems without milk at all. Will definitely purchase again. Thanks
This is a really handy little flask. Just the right size and the temp gauge is a great addition so you know how hot the contents are . Not too big or small just right😄
I love smokiness in most things so when I saw this Lapsang Souchong Original Smoked I grabbed a sample to try and I was blown away.
From the moment you open the packet the aroma of the smokiness hits front and centre.
With smallish leaves I eagerly brewed up. I was presented with a beautiful full amber liquid and the smoke hitting my nose was welcoming.
The only way I can describe this tea is it brings back memories of camping down by the creek on our farm burning pine cones. It’s like a warm hug being able to taste the smell. It reminds me of the smokiness in your clothes once you walk away from that fire.
Full bodied and lovely mouth feel.
I want to write this because I am genuinely impressed with the service I received.
I had an issue with one of the teas I purchased and I emailed A Moment of Tea about it. That morning I received a email back from Zachary profusely apologising about the mishap. In the email Zachary thanked me for the email because they actually found an issue in the OS supplier and worked towards a solution with them that day.
Zachary took the time to explain to me the process as to how this tea was produced and why the issue occurred and what’s happening to fix the issue.
To say the least I was blown away and again would like to thank Zachary for the communication through email. I highly highly recommend anyone with a Chinese Tea love to purchase from here as the teas I have tried so far are top notch. Tea reviews coming.
Jasmine Dragon Pearls / Buddhas Tears - Very subtle Jasmine comes through.
Lapsang Souchong Original Smoked - It’s like getting a hug from the camp fire on your camping trip. Immediately bought back memories of camping and having that smokey smell through your clothes (my favourite atm)
Shou Mei White Tea - very refreshing and bright white tea
So delicious, and a nice touch
I am very impressed with both the service and products. This is my first time I have ordered anything, and will definitely be returning. Many thanks, and congratulations.
I'm very happy with the samples sizes in the Sampler pack, as it enables me to share cups with friends and family to find out what their particular preferences are. Many thanks.
Purchased these at a market on holidays in Tassie several years ago, having been ordering ever since! My whole family love the dragon pearls, beautiful green tea and pretty to watch open up.
Mandarin Pu-erh Post-fermented Tea
Very satisfying flask.
Aged Mandarine Peel 2016