Tea Review: Gyokushin Mecha Kousui (Yunomi/Shogyokuen Tea Factory)

Gyokushin Mecha Kousui/玉真（芽茶）　光翠 

Shogyokuen Tea Factory/Yunomi
Type: Green
Origin: Japan, Kyoto Prefecture, Kyotanabe
Product Description: Gyokuro Green Tea Leaf Tips

Temperature: 140° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 1 minute

The dry leaves have a nutty and marine green aroma.

The pale jade green infusion has savory, nutty, and edamame notes in aroma and flavor. 

For the purpose of this review, I used 140° F water with excellent results.  I also prepared this more casually with water closer to 176° F for a much shorter steeping time which also tasted delicious.

This tea was purchased by me.

Tea Review: Superior Genmaicha (Yunomi/Shogyokuen)

Superior Genmaicha

Shogyokuen/Yunomi
Type: Flavored Green
Origin: Japan, Kyoto Prefecture, Uji
Product Description:

Shogyokuen's Ichibancha Genmaicha blends high grade early spring first flush sencha and toasted rice grains for a delicious, nutty flavor profile.

Temperature: 160° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 1 minute

The dry leaf blend has aroma notes of green grass, roasted rice, and popcorn.

The pale green infusion has a bold aroma of roasted rice and popcorn.  The taste is nutty with notes of popcorn, roasted rice, and a hint of green in the back with a long finish and no astringency.

For the purpose of this review I followed the instructions on the package, brewing for 1 minute with a water temperature of 160° F.  The results were as tasty and comforting as I could hope for from a good genmaicha with a little bit more nuttiness than the standard blends.  

 
This tea was purchased by me.

Tea Review: Standard Gyokuro, Tsuki no Hikari (Yunomi/Shogyokuen)

Advent Tea Calendar Day 5

Standard Gyokuro, Tsuki no Hikari
Shogyokuen/Yunomi
Type: Green
Origin: Japan, Kyoto Prefecture, Wazuka
Product Description: 180-year old Shogyokuen Tea Factory's Tsuki no Hikari, is a standard gyokuro, but probably better than any so-called "premium" gyokuro at major tea brands due to the freshness with which we are able to procure the leaves.

Temperature: 140° F

Amount: 5 grams
Steeping Time: 2 minutes/30 seconds

The dry leaves have a savory broth-like aroma with nutty notes.

The bright green infusion has a rich, savory, nutty, and sweet aroma.  The taste is thick and rich with savory umami, sweet and nutty, with a long mouthwatering finish.

Using almost double the amount of dry leaves as I would for sencha and steeping for 2 minutes for the first infusion and 30 seconds for the second and third infusions provided delicious results that you can almost literally sink your teeth into.

This tea was purchased by me.