It is one of the most expensive teas in Japan and of very high quality, its preparation is carefully done in order to achieve an intense flavor, with texture and body. It is very good to drink between meals or accompanied with fish. It has light vegetable notes and a sweet and subtle flavor. In this post you will know what Gyokuro tea is .
Something particular that this Japanese gyokuro green tea stands out is that its plantations are covered 20 days before harvest, producing shadows that make its leaves concentrate a greater amount of chlorophyll and L-theanine, to give a sweeter and more delicate tea. It has an umami taste, with certain notes of seaweed and lime, at the end it reveals a certain astringency.
It can be drunk hot, cold and even with ice (excellent for those days of intense heat). It has a high content of antioxidants (catechins and isoflavins), properties that inhibit the aging process and prevent cell deterioration.
The word Gyokuro means Jade Dew and is perhaps one of the few teas that is brewed at a low temperature. The leaves chosen to prepare it are the ones that come out in spring, because that is where its nutrients and minerals are most concentrated.
Gyokuro tea cultivation
Gyokuro green tea is one of the most valued in Japan, for a long time it enchanted imperial palates, thanks to its aromatic and taste complexity. Its infusion and tasting is considered an art.
This tea differs from other green teas in the way it is made: its plants are covered with a system of bamboo and straw so that the sun’s rays do not enter. This system is placed on the plants before the arrival of spring, when the first buds appear.
What this method does is stress the plant so that it produces more chlorophyll, L-theanine and less amount of tannins. With this method, a sweet-tasting, emerald-colored tea with prominent mineral notes is achieved.
Most of the Camellia Sinensis buds for Gyokuro tea are harvested by hand. The price of this type of tea is high, but it is also not easy to find because it mostly stays in Japan.
Regarding its origin, we can say that the gyokuro it was created accidentally. According to historians, it arose in 1835 in Kyoto, Japan. As there was a very cold winter that year, its inhabitants were forced to cover the plantations of this tea so that they would not be damaged by frost.
Tea became very popular in Tokyo when a tea merchant visited Kyoto and bought some buds and brought them to the capital. Tea immediately became popular thanks to its rich flavor. In 1840 the cultivation method was perfected and it was when it acquired the name of Gyokuro.
How to make Gyokuro tea
In Japan, gyokuro tea is so precious that even its preparation consists of three phases.
Ingredients:
- A tablespoon of Gyokuro tea
- A lemon.
- A splash of soy sauce.
How to prepare it:
- Extract the purity of the tea. When the leaves are hydrated with just a little water, only a small amount of infusion is obtained. To hydrate them, the water must be at a temperature of 60º C. The few resulting drops are those that will be distributed among the guests.
- Normal preparation of tea. In this step the leaves are covered with enough water. If the teapot is 300 ml, 3 grams of Gyokuro tea would have to be added . Also, since it is a fine tea, it can be repeated several times before moving on to the next phase.
- Salad japanese gyokuro. In this phase the leaves are already sufficiently squeezed from so much tea that has been extracted from them. So they should be spread out on a flat plate, sprinkled with lemon and a little soy sauce.
Gyokuro tea properties
Gyokuro asahi green tea has a number of properties worth mentioning. It should be noted that this Green Tea is one of the most expensive teas out there, this is because it has a very delicate and special cultivation process. Let’s see some properties of Gyokuro tea .
- High content of antioxidants. EGCG is one of the antioxidants that is present in all green teas. Among its functions are: strengthening the immune system, accelerating metabolism, consuming more energy and burning fat.
- Prevents cancer. EGCG antioxidants reduce the risk of several types of cancer: prostate, pancreatic, ovarian, breast and bladder.
- Keeps the heart healthy. Gyokuro tea prevents the accumulation of fat in the arteries, which is what causes cardiovascular diseases. Recommended for people who suffer from the heart.
- Strengthens teeth and eliminates halitosis. This property goes under the radar. Its polyphenols, fluoride and minerals help fight cavities and bad breath. It also protects from other infections like gum disease and gingivitis.
- Control glucose. Gyokuro tea maintains the correct level of glucose, thus avoiding diabetes.
- Activates the nervous system. Being rich in caffeine, it has an effect on the nervous system. Excellent to avoid decay, discouragement, mild depression, etc.
Gyokuro Tea Side Effects
The effects of Gyokuro tea are the same as any green tea. If it is drunk in excess, it can cause stomach problems, due to the presence of tannins that increase stomach acids, affecting its walls.
Its umami flavor is given by the high levels of theanine it contains. It is the fifth flavor of green tea with sweet notes that makes it an exquisite drink.