Gyokuro Japanese Green Tea - Loose Leaf Pouches - 16oz

Gyokuro Japanese Green Tea is considered Japan's finest green tea The tea is made from single buds picked only in April/May The tea leaves are covered with black curtains or bamboo and straw shades for 3 weeks in early spring to develop increased chlorophyll and reduced tannin The leaves are small, about 3/4" long, and extremely fragrant and tender The leaves are steamed for about 30 minutes to seal in the flavor and arrest fermentation The tea is repeatedly rolled until it develops long, thin, dark green needles Gyokuro is usually brewed in a kyusu (special Japanese teapot) and served in handle-less cups Gyokuro is considered the most expensive tea in the world, with some varieties selling for more than $1000 per pound Gyokuro should be brewed with twice the amount of dried tea leaves, a slightly lower brewing temperature (120-140°F), and a longer steep time (90 seconds)