Ocha & Co. Organic Gyokuro – Shade Grown Japanese Loose Leaf – Smooth Umami-Rich Aromatic Organic green tea from Japan, 100g/3.5oz.

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Really good quality gyokuro tea.

I’d been trying to balance small doses of coffee with 100 mg theanine supplement and couldn’t get it right. Finally said, to heck with this, go back to the source. I can only drink matcha on a full stomach so I ordered gyokuro, basically the same tea but for steeping rather than ground. Lots of calming theanine, pleasant to drink as many steeps. I make it quite diluted, 1.5 g per small gongfu, and steep it probably five times at increasing temperatures. As for quality and price, it is not the most super-premium but at a quarter the price it’s very nearly as good, very fresh tasting, lots of umami on first steeps. As others have noted, vacuum sealed with very little of the tea broken. Recommend this as well as Ocha’s Kyoto Uji matcha, both excellent everyday choices. Cheers.

So I admit, this is my first Gyokuro. I drink a ton of green teas and matcha. I always try to get higher end brands. I used to drink a lot of store bought teas, which could be $3 a bottle (and also loaded with sugar usually, which I don't want. But, unsweetened bottled tea tastes horrible). Since I am saving money not buying bottled, I figured I mine as well get high quality teas to make myself. There was some Gyokuro that was double this price. But, this brand has great reviews, is organic, and the price was acceptable to me. So, overall, this tea compared to 'normal' green tea, has a much better flavor to me. Almost no bitterness, nice earthy flavor, with a good mouth feel. Gives me a nice boost throughout morning and afternoon as well. I brew the leaves two times (usually for 2 cups in the morning). You may be able to brew even more than twice, but, because part of the reason I drink this is for the caffeine, I want to make sure I am getting the most of that I can. I can see this becoming one of my favorites for daily drinking. The vacuum sealed bag I got is dated for a year past when I received it. Came in fresh. Inside the bag is all perfectly rolled tea leaves. No overly dry 'dusty' pieces. Very good quality. The smell is amazing! If you want to setup up your green tea game, this Gyokuro may be great for you!

This tea is best sencha that I had, but expensive.