| ADD TO CART | ||
|---|---|---|
| 100 g | $18.98 / per cup $0.37 | |
| 250 g | $36.91 / per cup $0.29 | |
| 500 g | $55.89 / per cup $0.22 | |
| 1 kg | $105.46 / per cup $0.21 | |
Though this tea comes from China it is produced to Japanese specifications on Japanese machinery. The base tea is from single buds that are only available during March and April - when the best green leaf is produced. To increase the chlorophyll tea bushes are covered with bamboo and straw shading from March 1 to March 20th (more or less). The leaves are plucked about 1-2 weeks after the shading comes off. The leaves are small - less than 1 inch but extremely fragrant and tender. The plucked leaves are gently bruised and then lightly steamed, producing dark green leaves that give a slightly pungent tea with depth and character.
Organic tea is produced without the input of chemical fertilizers or pesticides and herbicides. Unfortunately the yield per acre is lower and quite often quality can suffer compared to when fertilizers and others inputs are utilized. Nevertheless with good manufacturing techniques the cup characteristics can be maintained at a very high level - such is the case with this tea.
Tea was introduced to Japan from China in the 7th and 8th century. Records indicate that Japan's Emperor Kammu created a government post called Supervisor of Tea and Tea Gardens' as Japan had begun to cultivate its own tea. That this post was in the medical bureau of the government indicates that even then, there was tremendous respect for the health aspects of tea. From 800 to the 1200AD Japan relied heavily on China for its tea supply. Because tea arrived in limited quantities from China tea became a luxury used for medicinal and spiritual purposes. A Zen Buddhist, Eisai Myoan returned from China (from what is now known as Jiangxi) with tea seeds and planted them at his temple. He soon realized that the quality was superior to any tea currently grown in Japan. These seeds formed the basis of Japan's tea industry in the centuries to come. Further evidence of the correlation between health and tea is found in a book that Eisai wrote; Tea Drinking is Good for Health. He wrote that tea drinking confers many benefits including curing lack of appetite, diseases caused by poor quality drinking water, and beriberi (a vitamin B deficiency).
Tea Type: Organic
Country: China
Region: Zhejiang Province
Grade: Shade Gyokuro - Made to Japanese specifications
Altitude: 700 - 1500 feet above sea level
Manufacturer Type: Non fermented, Traditional process, Small batch crafted, Steamed.
Ingredients: Green tea
Cup Characteristics: Expansive green tea flavor with delicious vegetative notes. An excellent steamed green tea. Tending bright forest green.
Infusion: Surprise yourself!
Brewing Hot
Traditional method (see note below): When preparing by the cup, this tea can be used repeatedly - about 3 times. The secret is to use water that is about 180F/82C. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon in your cup let the tea steep for about 3 minutes and then begin enjoying a cup of enchantment - do not remove the leaves from the cup. Adding milk and sugar is not recommended. Once the water level is low - add more water, and so on and so on - until the flavor of the tea is exhausted. Look at the pattern of the leaves in the brew, not only do they foretell your fortune but you can see the bud and shoots presenting themselves, looking like they are about to be plucked.
Modern Method: Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea, 1 tea bag or 1 Q3 single serve packet for each 7-9oz/200-260ml of fluid volume in the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). Adding milk or sugar is not recommended.
Note: Traditionally, the recommendation has been that green tea be brewed at 180F/82C. Regretfully, modern society makes it necessary to consider that water may not be free of harmful bacteria and other impurities. Therefore you need to boil water to kill bacteria. If you wish to use traditional brewing temperatures bring the water to a boil and allow it to cool to the desired brewing temperature - it's the food safe thing to do!
Brewing Cold
Iced tea brewing method (Pitcher): (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea, 6 tea bags or 6 Q3 single serve packets into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1 1/4 cups/315ml over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the tea bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water. (Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about!)
Iced tea brewing method (Individual Serving): Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea, 1 tea bag or 1 Q3 single serve packet into a teapot for each serving required. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the tea. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea or removing the bags. Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional 1/2 serving. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted. (Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about!)
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