Japanese Shincha Gyokuro

About Japanese Shincha Gyokuro

On a trip to Kagoshima, Japan, we discovered this rare green tea Shincha Gyokuro, which comes from a JAS organic-certified garden. The deep emerald leaves produce a bright green infusion with a full-bodied bouquet of fresh citrus, elderflower, and vegetal notes. The flavour reveals nuances of spinach and seaweed, accompanied by an unparalleled umami experience and a lasting sweetness. Shincha is the first Sencha blossom in spring. Only the top three leaves are picked and immediately processed in the Gyokuro style to preserve their juicy freshness. Gyokuro Shincha is highly valued in the region due to its rarity and unique taste. Only a few examples of this quality make it to export. Shincha has a higher amino acid content, which gives it its characteristic sweetness.

About Gyokuro

Gyokuro tea is among the most prestigious Japanese tea varieties and the finest teas worldwide. It is cultivated for about 21 days in full shade, which significantly intensifies the flavour. The result is an aromatic, sweet, and mild tea with a vegetal umami flavour. In Japan, this tea is often served on special occasions to honour guests. Due to its good reputation and limited availability, Gyokuro is one of the most expensive and extraordinary teas in Japan.

Cultivation

The plants are covered with nets (Kabuse) as well as bamboo, reed, or rice straw mats (Hon-Gyokuro) as soon as they sprout at the end of April. This process results in fewer tannins and bitter substances compared to Sencha, while the leaves develop a high chlorophyll content, significantly contributing to the tea's flavour. Only the most tender leaves are ultimately used for Gyokuro.

Effects

Gyokuro tea is particularly strengthening for the cardiovascular system and promotes the health of the lungs and bronchi. Additionally, it has an activating and harmonising effect on the enteric nervous system, the digestive tract's nervous system, and supports motility and peristalsis.

How to enjoy

Enjoy our Shincha Gyokuro neat to fully appreciate its complex flavours. This tea pairs excellently with light desserts such as lemon cake or vanilla pudding and offers a refreshing contrast to savoury snacks like cheese platters. In Japan, it is often enjoyed with small sweets made from red bean paste.