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Gyokuro Sakamoto
Kirari Organic

Name: Gyokuro Sakamoto Kirari Bio
SKU: 8368-bio
Price: 43.90 EUR
Availability: InStock

Contest Grade 98 P.

SKU

8368-bio

Refreshing Kirari 31 Cultivar with the best flavour balance and silky drinking sensation and a tangy sweetness like mandarins. Grown by the Sakamoto brothers in the top region of Shibushi, 1st harvest, full shading >20 days, purist organic since 1985, direct from the tea farm in Japan, 80g

Character	intense yet flattering umami, fresh tingling, tangy sweetness like mandarins, light and silky mouthfeel, combines sakimidori clarity and saemidori sweetness/umami
Tea Garden	Sakamoto Organic Tea Garden
Terroir	Shibushi (district), Kagoshima (prefecture), Japan
Harvest	1st harvest (Ichibancha), mid-May, 2024
Cultivar	Kirari 31 (registered 2016)
Elevation	190m above sea level.
Steaming	normal (Chumushi, 30-40 sec.)
Shading	Full shading (Jikagise and Tana technique, more than 20 days)
Organic Cert.	EU organic, JAS, since 1985
Laboratory Tests	Radioactivity (Region last 12/2022)
Grade	98/100 P. (Gyokuro category); Contest Grade

In stock

An exceptional tea garden in the highlands of Shibushi, specialized purely in the cultivation of high quality organic gyokuros. Pioneers and purists in organic gyokuro cultivation already since 1985, the tea plants are harvested only once a year and enjoy long regeneration periods. The Sakamoto brothers developed a unique, holistic growing system that produces better harvests of exceptionally full, nutrient-rich, and extremely natural organic gyokuros every year. For some of their best Gyokuros they were even honored with the most prestigious award of the Japanese green tea world ever - at the National Tea Contest of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture MAFF 全国茶品評会出品茶審査会.

Flavour

With the still young Kirari-31 cultivar, Mr. Sakamoto has created a Gyokuro whose freshness and smoothness simultaneously allow umami to blossom in all its facets. The infusion, clear and light green, reflects the beauty of the fine tea needles and feels both velvety and flattering on the tongue. A gentle, subtle tingle, brought about by a barely perceptible astringency, combines wonderfully with a tangy sweetness that evokes nuances of mandarins. The result is an intense Gyokuro that also offers a refreshing drinking experience. As a cross between the Sakimidori and Saemidori cultivars, Kirari 31 combines the clear freshness of Sakimidori with the strong, almost sweet umami of Saemidori - a perfect combination of the best characteristics of both cultivars.

Leaf

finest needles, beautiful mix of dark and light green leaves, complementary small leaves

Cup

bright light green

Gyokuro is considered by many to be the most exquisite of Japanese green teas. Via a time-consuming and difficult process, the tea plants for this tea are shaded for up to 30 days before harvest. By blocking up to 90% of sunlight, the leaves synthesise greater amounts of amino acids and many nutrients in the leaves are preserved. This composition of plant compounds lends the tea its famous sweetness as well as its robust umami flavour. Authentic gyokuro are exclusively made from the leaves of the aromatic first harvest of the year.

We go to great lengths to identify the finest organic tea farms across the world’s most celebrated terroirs. All our teas are sourced directly from the farmer and, with a few exceptions, are certified organic or come from pesticide-free farms. Each batch of tea for every harvest is tested for pesticides and other pollutants in an independent German lab to ensure they meet our strict quality standards as well as HACCP food safety requirements. Likewise, the regions of Japan from which we source our teas are tested for radioactivity for every harvest.

Premium Organic Teas

Our comprehensive portfolio focuses on organic, single-origin teas sourced directly from renowned farms. We believe in creating partnerships with farmers who share our values and are committed to sustainable, responsible tea cultivation. Thanks to these strong relationships our exciting range is constantly growing and evolving. As an international team of dedicated and passionate tea experts, we are committed to preserving centuries-old tea culture while ensuring it remains relevant and continues to bring joy in the present. About Yoshi En.

Cultivation & Processing

The county of Matsuyama is considered one of the top locations in Kagoshima for gyokuro and sencha production. The volcanic Akahoya soil has excellent drainage and the climate is overall mild, which facilitates the growth of gyokuro and especially early cultivars. Though the temperatures are slightly below the average, the fluctuation between night and day proves beneficial to the overall quality of the tea. The tea fields furthermore sit at roughly 190m above sea level.

The Sakamoto brothers are particularly proud of their organic, self-made fermented fertiliser (ボカシ; bokashi, or extended slow-acting fertiliser). Only a few hundred kilos of this tea are harvested during the first harvest every year.

Single Origin

This tea is 100% from the above tea field in Matsuyama, Shibushi. Directly purchased from the tea processor next to the tea farm.

Organic Certification

Preparation

Brewing Guide

3 heaped teaspoons per 200-300ml (60°C) water. Steep for 2 minutes.

Packaging

High-quality, airtight, resealable standing zipper pouch with 9 protective layers to preserve flavour and protect against oxidation and contamination.

Recommended Teapot

For this Gyokuro, one should preferably choose a high-quality, violet Banko Kyusu with a fine ceramic strainer. This improves the aromas, the complexity of the flavour body, and the umami of the tea. For an emphasis on Gyokuro freshness and grassiness, on the other hand, it is recommended to prepare the tea in a classic black Tokoname kyusu.

Recommended Storage

Ideally store in a quality tea caddy made from cherry tree bark (wooden, kabazaiku chazutsu) or an airtight, double-coated metal tin.

Test results

We find it very important that our teas are pure and produced in a way that respects the environment. For this reason, each one of our teas is tested for pesticide residues by an independent laboratory, the results of which can be found here. Some of our teas are also tested for specific nutritional compounds, in which case the test results are also published here.

Confirmation of analysis

See tests

Gyokuro Sakamoto Kirari Organic

Sakamoto Organic Tea Garden

Character