GYOKURO TAKERU TREASURE GREEN TEA

This tea, Takeru from a garden of Kirishima, is one of Japan's very best Gyokuro teas. It has fine, feathery leaves of an emerald green hue. It has a rich, sweet, velvety infusion and beautiful, lemon green colour. The tea is so full of essential tea oils that the infusion is cloudy, as they emulsify in the water. This special Japanese tea whose name translates as 'Precious Dew' is shaded with reed screens for twenty days prior to harvesting, to block out the sun. This serves to increase the chlorophyll and amino acid content. It is this amino acid, called theanine, and a special processing technique that give Gyokuro its unique sweet flavour and intense aroma. The greater quantities of these ingredients also increase its health-giving properties over other green teas. Gyokuro teas are also used to make the ceremonial tea Matcha, which is ground in a special mill to a fine powder for whisking. Gyokuro teas are the most highly prized teas in Japan.