Brand new unopened light blue package of Premium Gyokuro Japanese green tea by Ippodo with Japanese and dark blue stone shape
Brand new unopened light blue package of Premium Gyokuro Japanese green tea by Ippodo with Japanese and dark blue stone shape Back of unopened light blue package of Premium Gyokuro green tea by Ippodo with graphic, English and Japanese instructions Small white porcelain cup of light color Japanese green tea on silver dual petal leaf shaped saucer on grey table Loose leaf dark green rolled dried Ippodo Gyokuro premium Japanese green tea on silver plate
Rich & Lush

Premium Select Gyokuro - 30g

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$55
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Premium Select Gyokuro is the rarest and most delectable gyokuro Ippodo produces.

Shelf lifeConsume quickly
The best before date is 180 days from when it is freshly packaged in Japan. For the best experience, consume within around one month of opening.
Serving size10 g / 0.35 oz (~2 Tbsp.)
Up to 3 pots can be brewed with the same leaves.
Size 4" × 7.9" × 1.2"
Net weight1.1 oz (30 g)

Every year, the top tea farmers in Japan enter the best of their harvest into tea competitions, hoping to earn prestige and recognition for their efforts. Our Premium Select series features our exclusive blend of these farmers’ competition-level teas. Hand-selected by our president from farms only in the Kyoto region.

The highest quality gyokuro fields receive constant hands-on care and attention. Farmers precisely monitor and fertilize the soil to keep it lofty and nutritious. They adjust the shades that cover the field so that the new leaves sprout in almost complete darkness. With a team headed by our president and master blender, we blend precious harvests from these farmers to achieve an unparalleled gyokuro with harmony and depth.

Cultivated by expert hands under dark shade. Cultivated by expert hands under dark shade.
Indigo-green, needle-like leaves Indigo-green, needle-like leaves.
Breathtakingly clear and vibrant tea. Breathtakingly clear and vibrant tea.
Savor as cold brew, like daiginjo sake. Savor as cold brew, like daiginjo sake.

This year’s release is plentiful, with round umami and pure dew-like sweetness. On first sip, the umami wells up, like a bubbling brook. After swallowing, secondary notes of sweetness gently emerge and linger . . . and linger.

Its fragrance is like an ocean spray, or fresh scallops. After slowly sipping three or more brews, we feel peaceful and clear.

Those curious about trying the pinnacle of gyokuro will find its smooth, savory taste remarkable, but accessible. Aficionados will enjoy the complexity of the blend and the intricacies of its aftertaste for steep after steep.

We recommend enjoying this tea in a focused way, whether in a dedicated session, or with just a small snack in the afternoon.

First, try it the standard way by brewing with just-warm temperature water. This method will fully draw out the eye-opening umami from these tea leaves. To accommodate the just-warm brew, heat the cups with boiling water and discard before serving.

Next, try it cold by brewing with ice water and serving in a small snifter glass, like a fine daiginjo sake. This method will produce a clear, resonant tea with delectable sweetness. Serve after lunch, or at happy hour.

For the full experience, rebrew these precious tea leaves many times, and enjoy how the fragrance and taste evolve each time.

Ways to Prepare

Our standard recipe for brewing loose-leaf gyokuro. Brew a cup when you feel you need a change of pace.

1. Measure the leaves
2 tbsp. (10 g / 0.35 oz)
Add tea leaves to a kyusu or teapot.
Silver tablespoon filled with dried rolled Ippodo Gyokuro premium Japanese green tea leaves with
Silver tablespoon filled with dried rolled Ippodo Gyokuro premium Japanese green tea leaves with
Standard Gyokuro Brew
1. Measure the leaves
2 tbsp. (10 g / 0.35 oz)
Add tea leaves to a kyusu or teapot.
2. Add hot water
80 mL (3 oz) 60°C (140°F)
Cool boiling water to 60°C by transferring 3 times.
Three porcelain teacups beside a small porcelain kyusu with arrows instructing to transfer tea from one vessel to the next
Three porcelain teacups beside a small porcelain kyusu with arrows instructing to transfer tea from one vessel to the next
Standard Gyokuro Brew
2. Add hot water
80 mL (3 oz) 60°C (140°F)
Cool boiling water to 60°C by transferring 3 times.
3. Brew
90 seconds
Brew without stirring or disturbing the tea leaves.
Small white porcelain Japanese kyusu teapot with blue logo on lid sitting beside orange stop watch timer on white table
Small white porcelain Japanese kyusu teapot with blue logo on lid sitting beside orange stop watch timer on white table
Standard Gyokuro Brew
3. Brew
90 seconds
Brew without stirring or disturbing the tea leaves.
4. Serve
Pour out every last drop.
Enjoy in your favorite teacup or mug.
Pouring light green tea from white porcelain Hasami-yaki kyusu teapot with blue logo into white porcelain Japanese teacup
Pouring light green tea from white porcelain Hasami-yaki kyusu teapot with blue logo into white porcelain Japanese teacup
Standard Gyokuro Brew
4. Serve
Pour out every last drop.
Enjoy in your favorite teacup or mug.

Cold brew with just ice and clean water to bring out gyokuro's full lushness, natural sweetness, and umami.

1. Measure the leaves
2 tbsp. (10 g / 0.35 oz)
Add tea leaves to a kyusu or teapot.
Silver tablespoon filled with dried rolled Ippodo Gyokuro premium Japanese green tea leaves with
Silver tablespoon filled with dried rolled Ippodo Gyokuro premium Japanese green tea leaves with
Cold Brew Gyokuro
1. Measure the leaves
2 tbsp. (10 g / 0.35 oz)
Add tea leaves to a kyusu or teapot.
2. Add ice water
210 mL (7 oz) Chilled water
Pour chilled water to cover tea leaves.
Pouring water from glass carafe into white porcelain Hasami-yaki teapot containing Gyokuro green tea leaves and ice cubes
Pouring water from glass carafe into white porcelain Hasami-yaki teapot containing Gyokuro green tea leaves and ice cubes
Cold Brew Gyokuro
2. Add ice water
210 mL (7 oz) Chilled water
Pour chilled water to cover tea leaves.
3. Brew
15 minutes
Brew without stirring or disturbing the tea leaves.
Small white porcelain Japanese kyusu teapot with blue logo on lid sitting beside orange stop watch timer on white table
Small white porcelain Japanese kyusu teapot with blue logo on lid sitting beside orange stop watch timer on white table
Cold Brew Gyokuro
3. Brew
15 minutes
Brew without stirring or disturbing the tea leaves.
4. Serve
Pour out every last drop.
Enjoy in a wine glass or snifter to fully appreciate its elegance.
Pouring light green tea from white porcelain Hasami-yaki kyusu teapot with blue logo into white porcelain Japanese teacup
Pouring light green tea from white porcelain Hasami-yaki kyusu teapot with blue logo into white porcelain Japanese teacup
Cold Brew Gyokuro
4. Serve
Pour out every last drop.
Enjoy in a wine glass or snifter to fully appreciate its elegance.
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