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Gyokuro Superior Wakamusha

Gyokuro Superior Wakamusha

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$22.00
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Learn all the secrets of the Gyokuro Superior Wakamusha

The Gyokuro Superior Wakamusha is a premium okumidori green tea that perfectly encapsulates the savory and vegetal flavor profiles that gyokuro tea is known for.

Taste

Gyokuro Superior Wakamusha flavor chart

Discover the results of Nio Teas’ 4 step tea tasting method

When assessing the flavor of the gyokuro superior, we take into account both its aroma and its taste profile, paying close attention to how the tea engages with the palate. We consider factors such as dryness, acidity, minerality, sweetness, and umami. Additionally, we assess the texture of the tea, or its mouthfeel.

For gyokuro tea, we also focus on the vegetal taste profile, which is a defining characteristic of a lot of gyokuro. By evaluating the flavor in these ways, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the tea's quality and overall sensory experience.

Step 1 - Observing the Appearance

The leaves of the Gyokuro Superior Wakamusha are a dark green color and rolled into large, thin needle shapes.

Step 2 - Assessing the Aroma

The aroma coming off of the wet leaves is strong on these marine and vegetal notes. There is a scent of seaweed, ocean breeze and a tiny hint of sea salt.

Step 3 - Tasting the Tea

The Gyokuro Superior Wakamusha begins with a smooth cooling sweetness, which quickly develops into a strong vegetal umami. Notes of cantaloupe melon and edamame both begin to play in the midpalate, before the tea drifts into more of a starchy, sweet corn finish. The tea finds a balance between the cool vegetal flavors, strong umami and fruity sweetness.

Step 4 - Evaluating the sensation on the palate

The mouthfeel is dense and quickly envelopes the palate in a smooth, savory flavor. As the tea begins to coat the mouth, the sensations on the palate are all very balanced, with not too much acidity or dryness, but rather a round sweetness felt throughout.

100% Organically grown and Ethically Sourced

At Nio Tea, we are committed to collaborating exclusively with farmers who use organic cultivation methods without the use of pesticides or chemicals. This approach not only produces exceptional tea flavor but also promotes the vitality of tea fields and the flourishing of wildlife in the surrounding areas.

Nio Teas Unique Organically grown sourcing process

  • rigorous taste testing of each individual tea
  • communication with farmers about their production methods
  • in-person visits to tea fields to assess their quality
  • inspection of soil health to ensure biodiversity and wildlife conservation.
JAS Japanese Agriculture Standards logo

JAS Certified

JAS refers to products that meet the Japanese government's certification standards for being grown without the use of pesticides or chemicals. To ensure that our tea comes from fields free of harmful chemicals, we require verification from our larger partner farmers through the JAS label, obtained through soil samples and testing.

While we recognize that small farmers may not have the resources to obtain JAS certification, we still accept their pesticide-free products under our own screening process, which is designed to be fair and accommodating. This approach ensures the safety and quality of our tea while also providing opportunities for small farmers.

How to prepare the tea

To prepare the gyokuro superior, you can use a lower temperature water and a longer brewing time. The reason for the lower temperature is that the gyokuro superior is meant to be a celebration of these sweet and savory flavors and these are best extracted at a lower temperature. 

The reason for the longer brewing time is that the leaves of the gyokuro superior are tightly rolled into these thin needle shapes. These leaves take more time to expand and fully release their flavor into the water. 

  • icon of a teapot with temperature brewing instruction in degree for 60 degree celsius and 140 degree fahrenheit

    Step 1

    First, you can heat the water up to a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius or 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This will be the perfect temperature for the gyokuro.

  • icon of 5 grams of tea leaves

    Step 2

    Add 5 grams of the gyokuro superior wakamusha to your kyusu teapot.

  • icon of a teapot with time brewing instruction of 2 minutes

    Step 3

    Allow the tea leaves to sit and brew in the water undisturbed for 2 minutes.

  • black icon of a cup of tea

    Step 4

    After the tea leaves are done brewing, you can pour out your gyokuro superior and the teapot will automatically filter out the leaves so they don’t end up in your cup. Enjoy your gyokuro tea!

  • icon of a teapot with time brewing instruction of 20 seconds

    2nd brew

    Just add more hot water to the teapot and let the leaves brew for 20 seconds each time you reinfuse. Because the leaves are already opened up you only need 20 seconds to brew and each brewing will be slightly different

  • icon of glace of matcha latte with ice cubes

    Cold brew

    In addition to being a great warm cup of tea, the gyokuro superior also makes for a sweet and refreshing cold brew! If you want to learn how to cold brew this tea, you can read our article all about cold brewing gyokuro.

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Necessary teaware

For preparing gyokuro tea, the recommended utensils are either the kyusu teapot or the shiboridashi. If your preference is for highly concentrated, flavor-packed small cups of gyokuro tea, then the shiboridashi is the best option. However, for daily brewing purposes, the kyusu is the better choice.

Alternative without teaware

In the absence of a teapot, you can still brew gyokuro superior by using a tea strainer. Although it may not produce a flavor as rich as that of a teapot, it does enable you to strain out the tea leaves and prevent them from entering your cup.

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mr sakamoto farm in japan

Location of production and farmer

Information about the farm

The gyokuro superior wakamusha is proudly produced by Mr. Sakamoto, a renowned organic green tea farmer from southern Japan with decades of experience in the industry. He has learned innovative techniques to produce highly flavorful gyokuro tea without the need for pesticides or chemicals.

We have had the privilege of meeting Mr. Sakamoto multiple times and are continually impressed by his unwavering commitment to his tea fields. He eschews shortcuts and instead devotes time to developing his own organic fertilizer, which is composed of natural ingredients such as organic compost and mulched sedimentary rock.

This fertilizer enriches the soil of the tea plants, resulting in robust and healthy tea leaves. Unlike many other organic gyokuro teas that may lack flavor, those from Sakamoto's fields boast a rich, sweet, and savory taste.

map with the location of kagoshima tea fields in Japan

Sourced in Kagoshima

Japan

The gyokuro superior wakamusha originates from Shibushi, a town located in the southern part of Kyushu island, Kagoshima prefecture, Japan. The region benefits from a warm subtropical climate, seasonal rainfall, and nutrient-rich volcanic soils, making it an ideal location for growing this tea.

Cultivar and tea plant variety

The gyokuro superior wakamusha is made using the Okumidori cultivar, which is normally used in tea blends to create a smoother rounder flavor in a tea, but it can also be used to produce a premium, single cultivar gyokuro.

  • Okumidori

    The Gyokuro superior Wakamusha is made exclusively from the Okumidori cultivar. Okumidori is highly regarded for its ability to produce smooth and full-bodied teas, making it an excellent choice for Gyokuro. In the case of Gyokuro Kagoshima, the use of okumidori helps balance out the tea's flavor profile while also lending a subtle fruitiness that becomes more apparent in a cold brew.

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Free Worldwide Shipping & Delivery

We provide free shipping for all orders using the most cost-effective shipping carrier available in your country. Delivery usually takes 5-7 days for customers in the U.S. and E.U, while customers outside these areas may have to wait up to 10 days. If you require expedited shipping, we offer faster shipping options for an additional fee.

Order issues

If you encounter any issues with your order, please don't hesitate to contact us. The most effective way to reach us is via email at info@nioteas.com. However, if you have a quick question, feel free to send us a direct message on Instagram at @nio_japanese_green_tea.

Payments

We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay. If you prefer to pay by bank transfer, you may select this option, and we'll provide you with the necessary details. Once payment is received, we'll ship out your order promptly.

Returns & Refunds

Our goal is for every customer to have a positive tea experience with Nio. If you're not satisfied with the tea you receive, please inform us, and we'll happily send you a replacement.

Gyokuro Superior Wakamusha learning plateform

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