Country of Origin: Japan
Leaf Appearance: dark green, needle-like
Steep time: 2 minutes
Water Temperature: 140 degrees
Preparation Method: ceramic houhin
Liquor: pale greenish-gold
I have been a fan of Ikkyu’s farmer-direct Japanese teas for a long time, so I couldn’t pass up the chance to try a special gyokuro. It is a national award winner made with the Saemidori cultivar. This tea was handpicked at the end of May by KOGACHA GYO in Yame, Fukuoka. Since it is such a special tea, it is available only in a single serving size.
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Am I the only one who thinks that Japanese teas have the best packaging? The packet this tea came packaged in a lovely white paper with scattered gold flecks. Thankfully the inside was lined with aluminum to keep the tea at its freshest. I was intrigued by the geographical indication sticker as I believe this was the first time I’ve seen that on a tea from Japan.
Leaf
The dry leaf was beautiful to look at, deep green and incredibly tiny. They had the distinctive needle-like shape that I would expect from a high-quality Japanese tea. Since this tea is so special, I opted to brew it in my houhin. This traditional vessel is similar in design to a gaiwan and helps to produce a concentrated infusion. Ikkyu recommended a very low water temperature. This allows the tea to be infused for a longer time without drawing out too much bitterness.
Liquor
Miyako Competition Gyokuro brewed up a pale greenish-gold color. The taste was sweet with a thick, brothy mouthfeel. There was so much umami that it almost came across as salty. There was no bitterness or astringency. On their website, Ikkyu states that this tea takes you on a wonderful journey deep in the mountains and tea fields of Yame. This evocative phrase sums this tea up perfectly. If I closed my eyes while slowly sipping, I could almost imagine the place that it is from. I was glad that I made this tea using a houhin rather than a larger teapot because it allowed me to get three very flavorful infusions.
Have you ever tried Ikkyu’s Miyako Competition Gyokuro? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Miyako Competition Gyokuro sample provided by Ikkyu
