Tasty, pretty, but -
The gyokuro's taste is excellent, especially the first steep. And what a shade! Unsure I'll purchase it again, though, because the acidity is considerable.
Our organic Gyokuro (pronounced gyo-KUR-o) represents the pinnacle of organic Japanese green tea. Grown in the Kagoshima Prefecture of Japan, our Gyokuro is shaded prior to harvesting, which stresses the tea plant, resulting in a higher chlorophyll content. In the cup, this creates a fuller body and bolder vegetal quality. In addition, the light electric green infusion exhibits a sweet and nutty flavor that is smoother and less bitter than our organic Sencha. As is customary with most Japanese teas, our organic Gyokuro exhibits mixed grading consisting of both small and larger leaf pieces and very fine particles to create a full and brothy cup that, according to Japanese tea culture, creates a harmonious infusion revealing the full breadth of the leaf.
Brewing Gyokuro like any other green tea can produce a fantastic cup, no doubt, but the traditional method really highlights the beautiful umami qualities this tea is known for. We recommend steeping one teaspoon of Gyokuro in 8 oz of water heated to 158 degrees F (or lower) for only one minute. After that, steep one or two more times, extending the steeping time slightly with each subsequent infusion.
Ingredients: organic Japanese green tea
Kagoshima is a prefecture on the island of Kyushu, in Southern Japan which boasts a chain of active and inactive volcanoes that add to the soil content. Kagoshima is the second largest producer of green tea in Japan, and tea has been growing here since the 1300s. However, much of the world never experiences organic tea from Kagoshima because green tea is so popular in Japan that most tea grown in Japan is consumed in Japan; very little is exported. Within Japan, Kagoshima is the furthest distance from the Fukushima disaster. For those concerned with the implications of the Fukushima-Daiichi disaster, we continue to have our organic teas from Japan independently tested for radiation.
"When I open a bag of Gyokuro I can smell the cool ocean air. Even though I have never been to Japan, I can only imagine that this is what standing on the beach and watching the waves crash, would smell like."
"While it's a bit pricey for everyday drinking, this tea is a wonderful indulgence for the true green tea lover."
"I'm always amazed by just how vegetal this organic green tea is! I pick out notes of kale and kelp."
The gyokuro's taste is excellent, especially the first steep. And what a shade! Unsure I'll purchase it again, though, because the acidity is considerable.
This Gyokuro is my favorite green tea. I usually steep it 3 times. It has a fantastic aroma and flavor. Much better that the select version.
this is my every day favorite tea! i did not know it was from kagoshima where i spent cherished time. i cold brew it in a tea thermos and refill it multiple times. cold brewed it never gets bitter. it is always perfect. i am mostly cold brewing my teas now. most, not all ...a perfect tea!
Now, you'll hear that this wonderful tea is delicious, smells wonderful, has great "mouth feel", yada, yada. And, yep, that's all true. But some of us like to drink tea as -- how do the Sufis put it? -- an enabling factor. When you want to get your head into a particular place, perhaps because you've got something complex and "polyvalent" to explore or to decide, that's when gyokuro comes into its own. Like Arbor's excellent sencha, it's more of a "medium-length flight": a tea that gets you "into the zone" for a few hours, and then takes you down easy. Different people respond to a tea in different ways. Myself, I find that sencha is "clean and clear, get-stuff-done" tea, while gyokuro opens up a few extra doors. While in the zone...well, if tea is more than a kick in the pants for you, then gyokuro demonstrates why sometimes "the good stuff" is worth it.
I'll preface this with the fact I've had exceptionally high quality award winning Gyokuro before so I'm aware of the quality difference. That said though this is a fine budget option because not every cup needs to cost you a lot of money. The basic profile and experience are there and as someone who's not a tea snob I enjoyed this Gyokuro as well as the ones that for triple the price.
I'm learning so much about tea, and Gyokuro is the Cadillac of teas! It's so nice and smooth, and Arbor Teas service has been outstanding every time. Awesome!
WOW! Bold and refreshing with a wonderful, lingering mouth feel.
This is a very refreshing tea that is different than most varieties of green tea I've had. I started out with a sample, and when it was gone I ordered the largest size bag. I like treating myself to a cup of this alongside calm music after a stressful day.
Singing in the sky above you Many thanks for Gyokuro
I buy this Gyokuro tea exclusively from Arbor Teas now. One of the best Gyokuro teas I've ever tasted. It keeps me coming back for more and more! It is so delicious that it can be consumed all on its own, without any sweeteners as there is no bitterness, only a deep vegetal - almost "salty" - note (which I LOVE). The price is very reasonable for the quality and quantity of the tea leaves. Love the fact that is it organically grown so I can drink it with the peace of mind that it is safe for my health. Thank you, Arbor Teas!
I've tried a number of the green teas that Arbor offers, and this is definitely my favorite. It's more expensive than most teas I drink and I've hesitated to buy more. However, given that when brewed correctly I involuntary blurt "My goodness that's amazing" after my first sip, I've decided it's worth it. I do tend to save it for mornings when I know I have the time to pay attention and not oversteep. It has a deep vegetal flavor that is very satisfying - smooth, balanced, and "green".
This is my favorite green tea. I would drink it every day if I could afford it. I drink Sencha on a daily basis and this on the weekend.
My boyfriend has been preaching the gospel of Gyokuro for many years, but I was reluctant to spend the money on another pricey tea...I already have a matcha habit ;) I found Arbor Teas while searching the internet for "organic gyokuro" and I am so glad I found them! My boyfriend is picky since he has spent time in Japan - and he was SO pleased with the quality of this tea. I, personally, did not have an ideal to measure it against - but I can say that it has become onE of my favorite treats. I have experimented with different water temps (buy a thermometer, its worth it), amounts of tea and steeping times. My favorite is when the liquor is a beautiful new-blade-of-grass-green <3 The recommendations on the package should get you close to that experience. Also, I highly recommend using a glass tea pot and cup, if available so you can soak in the visual beauty of this tea. Absolutely will be ordering again.
This tea is ridiculous! Gorgeous, smooth, and sweet finish. A green tea like no other. High quality, long-rolled, beautiful depth of color, and intact leaves. Will be ordering again!
This is by far the best green tea I have ever tasted. Tons of flavor yet very mellow and pleasing to the palate. Hesitated purchasing it initially since it is quite a bit more than Sencha but must say, it is worth every penny. Both are very good but this in my opinion packs more flavor with less bite.
I was looking for a match for the amazing gyokuro tea my friend purchased for me on his trip to Japan. This one is it!
I have have tried numerous green teas, I have yet to find one that I like as much as this! I also buy it by the pound and drink it daily.
I drink it primarily for the calming effect it has. Calm yet alert, I really appreciate that. I have tried several different brands of Gyokuro and at least for me, this is noticeably superior. Also being a cancer survivor I figure there are potential long term health benefits as well. I buy it a pound at a time.
Has a salty ocean smell, but don't be put off by that. The taste is like a vegetal/earthy broth. Very relaxing. After reading all of the reviews before buying my sample I knew this would be a very good quality of gyokuru. I definitely think I will buy the 5oz once I'm done my sample.
I have been searching for an authentic green tea that matches one given as a gift to me by a friend that had visited Japan. I have finally found it. The taste is perfect when brewed following the directions. To be certain I boiled the water to the recommended 180 degree temp, used the appropriate amount of tea leaves to water, and matched the recommended steeping time. I used the Stump tea pot for brewing. The aroma is a bit grass like, but do not let that put you off. This is the first green tea that I've been able to drink without adding lemon or honey to it. It's best when hot. I will definitely be purchasing a larger quantity once my sample is done.
I am Japanese. Born and lived there for 25 years. I know green teas. This gyokuro is of an excellent true quality. It's got that "slightly salty smell" (strange as it may sound), my standard for good green tea. It makes me go right back to my country. Thank you for making this possible while in America.
We were introduced to Arbor Teas Gyokuro by a friend about 5 years ago. I was seeking to break the coffee dependence and he shared Gyokuro with me. I have come to enjoy it in its purest form, but my sweetheart loves adding a light amount of raw organic honey. It has become a highlight for us as a couple almost every morning. Arbor Teas is our favorite version. Try adding it into your morning ritual.
I am so happy I decided to try a sample of this green tea. It is the perfect green tea. It has boldness without being the least bit astringent. It has a very smooth, vegetal flavor that I find very soothing. I really look forward to my morning cup of this tea.
I discovered and fell in love with Gyokuro in 2009, and it's been my favorite tea ever since. Over the years I've had some good Gyokuro and some bad, and that can be frustrating when you consider the price. Well, I am finally thrilled. As you would expect this tea is vegetal at first, but then it finishes with a sort of lush sweet creaminess that is absolute heaven. On top of that it's organic AND comes from a conscientious company!! I will never ever ever let go of this tea.
Rich and sweetly vegetal, this Gyokuro is a fantastic specimen of Japanese green tea! I get several steeps out of the same leaves, which is wonderful.
I was excited to receive this tea. For the price, I would expect more whole, unbroken leaves, but what I got was a mixture including lots of broken fragments and some dust.
truly, this is one of the finest teas we've ever tried. thank you, Arbor!
First of all it's hard to find organic gyokuro green tea. I was thrilled when I discovered Arbor teas carried gyokuro. I heat my water only to the point where the little bubbles come off the bottom of the kettle. This produces a buttery smooth non astringent flavor. A full boil can scorch the tea and make it taste completely different. If, I happen to forget my water and it boils, I let the water sit for 10 minutes and let it cool before I pour it on my tea. If you opt for the cooler temperature you can get two pots of tea out of the tea leaves.
This is my first experience with Gyokuro tea. I must say I believe I made a wonderful choice! The tea is beautiful, delicious, and soothing. My taste buds are happy. I did search other sites before I made my final purchase decision, but as usual it was a waste of time. Arbor Teas never lets me down!
I have been drinking tea for a very long time. It was when I decided to step out of my comfort zone that I tried this Gyokuro. Gyokuro is the highest grade of Green Tea leaves, which is why it is much more expensive than Sencha. You definitely get what you pay for. Arbor Teas has the best priced Gyokuro of all the places I've been to. The taste and quality are remarkably soothing. I say this is for the experienced tea drinker since oversteeping by only 1 minute will result in a bitter tasting tea. Steeping it for a little more than 2 minutes is fine. 3 minutes is the absolute maximum you should brew it. I currently have another shipment headed my way that I look forward to enjoying.
This is an amazing grassy, aromatic tea. The sencha comes close, and is of course less expensive, but this is a very special experience. I make a second cup adding just a bit of new leaves to it.
Like many people out there, I have been exposed to Chinese green teas for years. However, other than Matcha, I hadn't tried Japanese green teas. With that said, I am glad I tried a sampler of this Gyokuro. It is incredibly unique, with a fresh, vegetal taste. My analogy is that it's like using dry dill in your cooking for years then one day discovering how amazing fresh dill is. It's not a tea I would consume everyday- especially not in the morning. It's more of a treat and, considering the price, is likely not going to be your everyday tea. Don't hesitate, give this tea a try!
this is my favorite green tea of all time. the flavor is so fresh and lively. i can drink this green all day long, but it's fun to save for special occasions.
This superb green tea is the best green I've ever had. It is grassy depending upon steep time. I typically do 2m15s but have tried closer to 3m only to find I'd approached the razor's edge in my tolerance for the grassy flavor. Backed it off 10s at a time until I found the right balance. It has a great green color and goes down smooth every time.
I have been searching for the "Green" flavor that is so strong in the Tazo "Chinese Green Tips" sold at Boarders Book stores and Starbucks. Starbucks new packaging comes in silk bags (and not loose leaf -- 0.8 of an ounce for lots of $$$) it claims to be the Finest Mao Feng the Arbor Teas' Mao Feng did not have the "Green-ness" I was looking for (It's smoother and really good in a different way) the tasty Mao Jian began to hint at it. Sencha and Bancha also go there but also are slightly more bitter as the review on this page says... I was searching all of China when what I was looking for was in this Japanese variety. Let me add that this is MUCH BETTER than the Chinese Green Tips. It is sweeter and I don't know what else. I just can't put the cup down and that take a while since I leave the tea (bag) in my cup and add water 3, 4 even 5 times once it is half empty. Be sure to brew at 175 to 180 degrees a bit less if you want it to infuse more times. If you have ever had shots of Wheat Grass Juice at your local juice bar this is the Tea version of that wonderful fresh flavor!!! WOW!!!
This tea is beautiful to look at with a wonderful rich flavor. I am amazed at the wonders that come from the same species. This must be the kind of tea they use for tea ceremonies. I may share it with dear friends or for a special treat for myself. Maybe I will use it for someone who 'doesn't like tea' and I want to open their buds to a world of wonder. Then again maybe I'll try that with a less expensive tea!
Airtight storage containers in two sizes featuring interior plunger to expel air
High quality matcha with a thick vegetal taste and minimal bitterness