Review: Kotobuki Gyokuro From Senbird Tea

Now I have to say, there are few things I love more than tasting a Gyokuro that effectively balances the hits of umami that comes from well nurtured L-theanine, and the lingering sweetness that begs me to take another sip. This particular Gyokuro from Senbird is a great representation of just how much depth there is in Japanese tea. Translated as "Jade dew", this tea has undergone 20 days of shaded growth - ramping up levels of theanine and chlorophyll which provides minimal astringency and a balance of vegetal and sweet characteristics.

DETAILS

Season: Spring first flush 2019 Cultivar: Asatsuyu (considered natural gyokuro) Origin: Asahina, Shizuoka, Japan Picking/Processing: 20 day shade-grown Elevation: 200m

My Brewing Parameters: Leaf to Water Ratio - 6 g for 220 mL  Starting Temp - 50°C, 60°C, 70°C, 70°C, 75°C Infusion time(s) - 2 min, 2 min, 2 min, 3 min, 3 min

Eyes Dry: Deep forest blue-green leaves, slender and overall consistency in material length, moderate level of dust Nose Dry: fresh basil, vine tomatoes, subtle tangerine zest Nose Wet: damp moss, sea salt air, egg yolk cream. Last infusion brings watermelon to mind Eyes Liquor: blue-green vibrancy  Mouth Texture: clean, chicken stock rush along the tongue Mouth Flavor: algae covered stone, mineral sweet, newly grown spring grass  Nose Cup: light hint of daffodils  Mouth Finish: clean with a short aftertaste  Eyes Wet: unfurled spinach green hues with a fresh sheen to the leaves Body Sensation: mellow and uplifting

Gyokuro is a go-to tea for me, both when reviewing a vendor's portfolio or when I want something that reminds me of Summer. This was the first tea of three from them I tried and it's a standard Gyokuro  I would recommend.

Sunlight through a forest, it's the brightly lit and robust leaves that are called to mind when I drink this Gyokuro. A clean and swift brook babbles a short distance away, bringing minerality and a damp rock fragrance to the air. There's vitality and invigoration in this cup. 

---

Marco Namowicz

IG: steapd_tea