ShiZen Tea
Premium Organic Gyokuro from Kagoshima Japan 30g
Premium Organic Gyokuro from Kagoshima Japan 30g
Couldn't load pickup availability
A deep spring-harvest organic gyokuro for slow, low-temperature brewing.
A JAS-certified organic gyokuro from Kagoshima, best brewed cool and slow for a dense, savory cup.
What the cup is like
Best approached slowly with cooler water to bring out umami and sweetness.
First cup
Use a small cup and cooler water first; later infusions can be a little hotter and shorter.
Shaded Before Harvest for a Softer, More Savory Cup
Gyokuro is shaded before harvest. By reducing direct sunlight, the leaves develop a cup that feels fuller and more savory than ordinary sencha, with less of the quick grassy snap many people expect from green tea.
This Kagoshima organic gyokuro is best treated as a slow tea: use cooler water, a little patience, and a smaller cup. The first infusion is dense and mellow; later infusions become lighter and more refreshing.
Who This Tea Is For
- Choose this if you want an organic gyokuro with deep umami in a 30g size.
- Choose this if you already enjoy sencha and want to try a shaded tea brewed at lower temperature.
- Choose this if you want a richer green tea without moving all the way to matcha.
- If you want ShiZen Tea's most formal hand-picked gyokuro experience, compare it with Kyoto Hon-Gyokuro.
What Makes It Different from Sencha
Sencha is usually brewed hotter and tastes brighter. Gyokuro asks for cooler water and a slower first infusion. That lower-temperature brew draws out the shaded-tea character: a rounder body, deeper umami, and a gentler finish.
If Organic Sencha is your everyday refreshing cup, this Organic Gyokuro is the slower, more savory step up. It is still approachable, but it rewards careful brewing.
How to Brew Organic Gyokuro
First Infusion
- Use 4g of tea leaves.
- Use about 50ml of water.
- Cool the water to 60-70 C.
- Steep for 90 seconds to 2 minutes.
Second and Later Infusions
Gyokuro can be steeped 3 to 4 times. For later infusions, use slightly hotter water and shorter steeping times. The flavor will move from dense and savory toward lighter sweetness.
Organic Certification
This tea is certified organic under Japan's JAS Organic standard and is sold as organic in the U.S. under the U.S.-Japan organic equivalence arrangement.
Teas to Try Alongside This One
- Organic Sencha: for a brighter, more refreshing everyday organic green tea brewed at a higher temperature.
- Kyoto Hon-Gyokuro: for a special-occasion, hand-picked Kyoto gyokuro with a more concentrated brewing style.
- Organic Matcha Superior: for a shaded-tea experience in powdered form, whisked rather than steeped.
Choosing a Few Teas
This tea ships directly from Japan. If you are choosing a few teas together so the shipping cost supports a fuller tasting set rather than a single small bag.
Comparison FAQ
Is this the same style as Organic Sencha?
No. Organic Sencha is an unshaded everyday sencha with a brighter, more refreshing cup. Organic Gyokuro is shaded before harvest and is brewed cooler for a deeper, more savory flavor.
How is this different from Kyoto Hon-Gyokuro?
This Kagoshima Organic Gyokuro is the more approachable organic gyokuro in a 30g size. Kyoto Hon-Gyokuro is a smaller 10g special-occasion tea from Kyotanabe, Kyoto, made for a more formal low-temperature brewing experience.
Can I brew this like regular green tea?
It is better to brew it cooler than regular sencha. Hotter water can make gyokuro taste sharper. Start around 60-70 C and adjust after tasting.
Is this tea organic?
Yes. This tea is certified organic under Japan's JAS Organic standard and is sold as organic in the U.S. under the U.S.-Japan organic equivalence arrangement.
How many times can I steep it?
You can usually steep this tea 3 to 4 times. The first infusion is the densest; later infusions become lighter and cleaner.
FAQ
Q. How soon will my order be shipped?
A. We typically ship orders within 1-3 business days. In the rare event that an item is out of stock, it may take longer. If that happens, we will contact you directly to discuss the options.
Q. What is your return policy?
A. If there is a quality issue, damage, defect, or wrong item, please contact us within 30 days so we can arrange a refund or replacement. Unopened tea in its original factory-sealed package and unused tea ware can be returned within 14 days. Opened tea cannot be returned for food-safety reasons. Orders can be cancelled before shipment. Please see our Refund Policy for the full terms.
Q. Is this tea organic?
A. Yes. This tea is certified organic under Japan's JAS Organic standard and is sold as organic in the U.S. under the U.S.-Japan organic equivalence arrangement.
Q. Will I have to pay customs and import taxes?
A. For U.S. orders, import duties and related charges are currently handled by ShiZen Tea when applicable, so you should not normally be asked to pay customs charges on delivery. For other countries, customs duties, import taxes, or local fees may vary depending on your country's regulations and may be charged to the buyer. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure.
Q. Can I track my order?
A. Yes, tracking is available for all orders. Once your order has been shipped, you will receive a confirmation email containing your tracking number and a link to track your package.
Q. How much caffeine does this tea contain?
A. Yes. Like other Japanese green teas, this tea contains caffeine. The exact amount can vary depending on the tea amount, water temperature, and steeping time. If you are sensitive to caffeine, we recommend enjoying it earlier in the day.
Q. How should I store the tea?
A. Please store the tea in a cool, dark place, away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. After opening, seal the package tightly and enjoy it as soon as possible, while the aroma is still fresh.
Q. What payment methods do you accept?
A. We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) as well as PayPal.