Organic Gyokuro Loose Leaf Tea
tea leaves growing under shade
green tea leaves growing under black shade
a hand holds out two deep gyokuro green tea leaves
Organic Gyokuro Loose Leaf Tea
a tea bag of green tea steeps in a cup surrounded by loose leaf tea
a tea bag sits on loose leaf tea

Gyokuro

$6.50
( / )
Size

The name of this sophisticated Japanese tea translates to ‘jade dew’, describing the color of its infusion. ‘Umami’ in taste and aroma, with a sweet rich finish, the leaves are very fine, needle-shaped and a brilliant dark green color due to being shade grown, which gives gyokuro a higher chlorophyll content than most teas.

Flavor: 

Umami, seaweed, sweetly grassy and rich.

Health Benefits: 

Mental Clarity: The caffeine and L-theanine in this green tea work together to enhance mental alertness and calm, aiding in focus and concentration.*

Antioxidant Powerhouse: High in catechins, powerful antioxidants, Gyokuro helps protect the body from oxidative stress, supporting overall health.*

Metabolic Boost: Green tea is linked to a boost in metabolism, which can be beneficial for weight management, especially when combined with other healthy practices like a balanced diet and regular exercise.*

Heart Health: The flavonoids in Gyokuro can benefit heart health by improving cholesterol levels and blood pressure.*

Improved Digestion: The catechins in Gyokuro have properties that support digestion and can help soothe the digestive tract.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with your healthcare practitioner before adding new products to your diet, especially if you have any existing health conditions or are taking medication.

Shipping Information:

  • Gold Tier Loyalty Members: enjoy FREE shipping on every order!
  • Free Shipping: for all other customers, enjoy FREE shipping on orders $60 or more within the lower 48 states.
  • Flat Rate Shipping: A flat rate of $5.99 applies to orders below $60 within the lower 48 states.
  • Special Locations: Shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam now enjoy FREE Shipping on orders over $100.
  • Processing Time: Orders are shipped from our warehouse within 1-4 business days, Monday–Friday, after payment and delivery address verification.

Returns Policy:

  • Tea Products: Tea cannot be returned as it is a food product. We recommend trying smaller sample sizes to ensure satisfaction before committing to larger bulk sizes.
  • Steepware Returns: For unopened/unused Steepware, we offer store credit (minus the cost of return shipping) within 30 days of your delivery date.
  • Incorrect or Damaged Items: If you received an incorrect or damaged item, please contact us via call or email within 30 days of your delivery date, and we will rectify the problem immediately!
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Steeping Guide
1 tsp
165°
2 min
per 8 oz. water
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Tasting Notes:

Gyokuro, or "jade dew," is one of Japan's most exquisite green teas, treasured for its rare quality and refined taste. Our Gyokuro is a first flush blend crafted from three cultivars that represent the best of Kagoshima’s innovation and tradition: Saemidori, Asanoka, and Yabukita. Saemidori brings a bright, silky sweetness; Asanoka layers in floral nuance; and Yabukita, Japan’s most beloved cultivar, anchors the blend with depth and balance.

Shade-grown in Kagoshima’s volcanic soils and harvested at the peak of spring, this Gyokuro is elegant and vibrant, with an umami-rich body, a lingering sweetness, and a clean, refreshing finish. A rare blend of cultivars and terroir, it captures the essence of Kagoshima’s tea artistry.

The brewing process is key to unlocking the elegance of Gyokuro. It’s best prepared with water at just 165°F to gently coax out the complex flavor. When brewed correctly, the resulting cup is silky and elegant, offering a delicious drinking experience that reflects the care in every step of its cultivation and preparation.

Unlike sencha and other Japanese green teas, Gyokuro’s flavor profile is more mellow and luxurious, thanks to its unique shading and steaming techniques. The tea’s taste, smell, and texture vary slightly depending on how each plant is cultivated, shaded, and processed, making each harvest a distinctive expression of Japanese tea craftsmanship.

Whether you enjoy it in quiet reflection or as part of a shared tea moment, each drink of Gyokuro connects you to the vibrant world of Japanese green teas. The plants that produce this exceptional tea thrive under the soft light of limited sun, and each steep reveals more of its rare, complex charm across multiple cups.

Features:

  • Japanese Gyokuro
  • Gyokuro imperial green tea
  • Origin: Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
  • Cultivars: Saemidori, Asanoka, and Yabukita
  • Sample ~ 5 servings
  • 1/4 LB ~ 50 servings
  • 1/2 LB ~ 110 servings
  • Lifestyle-Friendly: Vegan, Paleo, Keto, and Kosher Certified
  • Caffeine: Medium

Ingredients: green tea
Map of Japan with major cities labeled, including a red dot on Kagoshima.

Origin

Kagoshima, on the southern tip of Kyushu, is one of Japan’s most dynamic tea-growing regions. The rich volcanic soils from nearby Sakurajima, a still-active volcano, give the tea gardens a mineral depth you can taste in every sip. With a subtropical climate and abundant rainfall, Kagoshima’s first flush teas develop with striking vibrancy, balancing natural sweetness with umami depth.
Row of tea plants under a shade covering

Growing Gyokuro

Gyokuro is Japan’s most prized shade-grown green tea. About three weeks before harvest, tea bushes are covered with woven straw or modern shading nets, filtering out 70–90% of the sunlight. This slows photosynthesis and causes the plants to produce more chlorophyll and amino acids like L-theanine, which give Gyokuro its signature emerald color, deep umami, and silky sweetness. Only the youngest spring leaves are handpicked for this tea, making Gyokuro one of the most labor-intensive and rare styles of Japanese green tea.

sip with purpose: