Gyokuro Yukata Midori

Gyokuro Yukata Midori – Green Tea

Origin: Japan

Infusion Temperature: 50°-60° Celsius

Infusion Time: 2-3 minutes

Serving Size: 3-4 grams/100 ml

Brewing Recommendations: Up to 2-3 infusions discovering new layers of sweetness and marine complexity

Vessel: Traditional Kyusu teapot or small porcelain pot.

Water quality: Use soft, low-mineral water

Gyokuro Yukata Midori is a rare and precious example of Japan’s most esteemed style of green tea Gyokuro, or “jade dew”. Grown and crafted by the Henta family, tea farmers since 1968, this exceptional tea is cultivated at the foot of Mount Kirishima in southern Japan, a pristine region known for its volcanic soil, natural mists, and ideal climate for high-grade tea cultivation.

Handcrafted by tea master Koichi Henta, this Gyokuro is a premium expression of traditional Japanese shaded tea farming, combining craftsmanship, terroir, and cultivar selection into a tea of remarkable elegance and depth.

This Gyokuro is primarily composed of the Yukata Midori cultivar a variety prized for its deep green color, low astringency, and pronounced umami. It is harmoniously blended with Okumidori and Saemidori, two other refined cultivars known for their smoothness and aromatic intensity.

Yukata Midori (“Abundant Green”) offers a full-bodied liquor with lush umami and sweet vegetal notes. Okumidori adds balance and depth with mellow character and clarity and Saemidori enhances the aromatic complexity with delicate floral undertones This combination results in a tea that is smooth, savory, and deeply satisfying, capturing the soul of Gyokuro.

Like all true Gyokuro teas, this one undergoes a careful shading period of approximately 20 days before the harvest in May. During this time, the tea bushes are covered to reduce sunlight exposure, leading to increased levels of L-theanine, an amino acid responsible for Gyokuro’s trademark umami and sweet aftertaste. Reduced catechins, resulting in lower bitterness and a smoother, rounder flavor. Concentrated chlorophyll, producing a vibrant green liquor. The shading technique, perfected over centuries in Japan, is key to developing the luxurious, full-bodied character of this tea.

The aroma is rich and savory, with fresh seaweed, steamed greens, and a hint of toasted nori. The flavor is captivating blend of deep umami, fresh vegetal notes, and a subtle natural sweetness. Mouthfeel is silky, dense, and lingering with a finish clean, elegant, and long-lasting. This Gyokuro is perfect for contemplative sipping. Its richness unfolds slowly, inviting quiet appreciation with every infusion.

Brewing recommendations for unlocking the Uuami and to fully enjoy Gyokuro Yukata Midori’s nuanced character, a gentle brewing approach is essential. This tea is suitable for multiple infusions, with each steep revealing new layers of sweetness and marine complexity.

Each harvest is small and carefully processed, and quantities of this Gyokuro are limited. We are proud to offer this premium tea at an exceptional value, given its artisan quality and limited availability.

Gyokuro Yukat Mmidori is a refined and meditative tea ideal for experienced tea lovers and newcomers seeking to explore the upper tier of Japanese green teas. Discover why Gyokuro is Japan’s crown jewel and why this expression from Kirishima is among the finest available.