Collection: Gyokuro

Gyokuro, being Japan's top grade of green tea, is not normally found in Japanese homes. It provides an excellent balance of quality and value. Gyokuro has a rich green color, a distinguished aroma and can impart a sweet taste.

Gyokuro tea bushes are carefully grown in the shade for about three weeks prior to harvesting in order to protect them from sunlight. In so doing, the L-theanine (amino acid) content of the leaf increases while the tannins do not. All of our Gyokuro is from Asahina in Shizuoka. Gyokuro grown in Asahina is known for it mellow umami, elegant aroma and refreshing aftertaste.

Gyokuro is a very relaxing tea. It contains higher amounts of L-Theanine than any other loose leaf green tea because of shading process. As mentioned above, L-theanine is a unique amino acid found in tea and very few other sources and is known for its benefits as a relaxant. L-theanine generates alpha brain-waves and suppresses the stimulant function of caffeine. This is why high quality green tea in general can help you relax even though it contains caffeine.