Gyokuro Premier

Gyokuro Premier – Top-Grade Shaded Japanese Green Tea for Specialty Menus

Gyokuro Premier, known in Japan as "Jade Dew, " ranks among the very highest grades of Japanese green tea and is a leaf that serious tea drinkers actively seek out. The tea bushes are covered for a minimum of two weeks ahead of picking, a shading step that naturally raises the chlorophyll and amino acid content of the leaf. The outcome is a cup with remarkable depth and sweetness that sets it apart from standard green teas on any menu.

Naturally grown gyokuro at this level seldom leaves Japan and is genuinely hard to source, which makes it a notable addition to a premium assortment. The leaf is picked only once per year, in spring. The extra chlorophyll built up during shading contributes depth, color, flavor and complexity to the infusion and also adds to the tea's natural nutritional content. The dry leaf appears as deep, glossy green needles, and the brewed tea shows a rich jade color with a silky texture. Gyokuro is also naturally rich in L-theanine, an amino acid associated with a calm, focused state. Customers who appreciate slow, attentive tea service will value that the leaves can be infused several times.

Product Profile

• Type: Japanese green tea, shade-grown gyokuro
• Origin: Japan
• Harvest: once a year, spring
• Dry leaf: deep, glossy green needles
• Liquor: rich, deep jade
• Flavor: deep, sweet and savory umami
• Texture and finish: silken and smooth, with a slightly buttery, lingering finish
• Caffeine: contains caffeine (green tea)

Key Selling Points

• One of the highest grades of Japanese green tea, suited to premium and connoisseur ranges
• Shaded for at least two weeks before harvest for pronounced umami and sweetness
• Rarely exported, giving retailers and tea shops a genuinely hard-to-find offering
• Single annual spring harvest adds exclusivity and seasonal storytelling
• Suited to multiple infusions, supporting tasting flights and premium cup service

For tea shops and specialty retailers building a top-tier Japanese selection, Gyokuro Premier delivers rarity, a clear quality story and a rich, silky cup that justifies premium positioning.