2024-10-23
Gyokuro: A Premium Tea Grown with Meticulous Care under Cover
Gyokuro is regarded as one of the most exclusive Japanese teas. There are two main reasons for this.
The first reason is the greater time and labour effort required compared to other types of tea. While ordinary Sencha is grown in direct sunlight in open fields, Gyokuro is initially cultivated in the sun but is covered with a special cloth called Kanreisha just before the harvest to reduce sunlight exposure.
The premium price of Gyokuro reflects the additional labour costs associated with covering the tea plantations. This cultivation method, which involves shading the tea plants for a defined period prior to harvesting, is referred to as "covered cultivation - KABUSE".
Kabusecha is another tea that is cultivated in a shaded environment. However, the covering period for Gyokuro is longer than that for Kabusecha. While there are regional variations, Kabusecha is typically covered for approximately one to ten days prior to harvest, while Gyokuro is covered for up to 20 days.
The second factor contributing to the premium pricing of Gyokuro is the limited production volume. As stated in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries publication "Situation Concerning Tea" (July 2020), Gyokuro raw tea production (tea leaves in their initial processing stage before finishing) accounts for only 0.3% of total national production.
Gyokuro is a highly labour-intensive product, with production concentrated in just a few regions. The majority of tea is grown in the significant tea-growing areas of Uji in Kyoto, Yame in Fukuoka, and Okabe in Shizuoka. As a result of its rarity, Gyokuro commands a premium price. Furthermore, the number of farmers who adhere to the strict EU production standards is even smaller. Our partner is among these select and exceptionally distinguished tea farmers.
Category: Blog | Tea