Gyokuro Saemidori

Gyokuro Saemidori – Green Tea

Origin: Japan

Infusion Temperature: 50°-60° Celsius

Infusion Time: 2-3 minutes

Serving Size: 3 grams/100 ml

Vessel: Japanese Kyusu teapot or small ceramic teapot.

Water quality: Use filtered or low-mineral water for best results.

Brewing Tip: Pre-warm your tea ware and enjoy the second and third infusions with slightly hotter water and shorter steep times..

Renowned as one of Japan’s finest green teas, Gyokuro meaning “jade dew” is celebrated for its exceptional sweetness, velvety umami, and rich aromatic profile. Alongside matcha, it is considered one of the most premium and prestigious teas in Japan, both in flavor and cultivation technique.

Our Gyokuro Saemidori, harvested in April from Kagoshima Prefecture, reflects centuries of traditional tea farming and represents a harmonious balance between elegance and complexity.

What makes Gyokuro truly unique is its shading process, which begins approximately 20 days prior to harvest. During this time, the tea bushes are carefully covered with dark nets or traditional straw mats, reducing their exposure to sunlight. This technique slows down photosynthesis, resulting in an increased L-theanine and amino acid content, reduced catechin levels and leading to lower astringency. Enhanced natural sweetness and umami.

Originally reserved for only a handful of elite tea growers in Japan, this shading method has become a hallmark of premium Japanese green teas. Gyokuro’s distinct flavor and deep green liquor are direct results of this ancient and meticulous practice. Unlike many Sencha, which emphasize briskness and grassy intensity, Gyokuro offers a softer, deeper, and more meditative drinking experience.

The Saemidori cultivar, whose name means “vivid green”, is a relatively modern cross between Yabukita and Asatsuyu, developed in the 1990s. It is particularly prized in southern Japan, including Kagoshima, for producing teas with exceptionally low astringency, brilliant green infusions with silky umami with floral and honeyed undertones. Gyokuro Saemidori delivers a fresh forest greens, wildflowers, subtle seaweed, smooth and a delicate aromas, and sweet flavor profile that stands out even among high-grade Japanese teas. The taste is a silky and round with strong umami, hints of honey, and mild vegetal notes. The mouth feeling is smooth, creamy, and long-lasting.

The brewing preparation is a ritual of precision to fully appreciate Gyokuro’s refined character, gentle brewing is essential. This tea rewards patience and attention.

Like all Japanese green teas, Gyokuro is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants, and chlorophyll, but stands out for its elevated amino acid content, particularly L-theanine. This amino acid promotes relaxation and mental clarity, balancing the stimulating effects of theine and offering a calm alertness often referred to as “tea mindfulness.”

While slightly lower in catechins compared to sencha or matcha (due to reduced sunlight), Gyokuro remains a potent source of nutritional and functional compounds.

Gyokuro Saemidori is not a tea to rush. It is meant to be savored, appreciated in silence or shared in quiet ceremony. Whether you’re deepening your knowledge of Japanese teas or gifting a tea lover something extraordinary, Gyokuro offers a rare glimpse into the art of tea cultivation and sensory refinement.