Imperial Okabe Gyokuro

Imperial Okabe Gyokuro – Wholesale Shade-Grown First-Flush Japanese Green Tea

Imperial Okabe Gyokuro is a top-grade Japanese green tea sourced from Okabe in Shizuoka, an area widely regarded as one of Japan's leading gyokuro districts. The leaves come from the first flush and are picked by hand, and the tea's scarcity and quality have long made it a luxury reserved for special occasions. For tea bars, specialty retailers and gift programs, it represents the premium end of any Japanese green tea range.

What defines gyokuro is shading: the bushes are covered for a minimum of two weeks ahead of harvest. This raises chlorophyll and amino acid levels in the leaf, which translates into a deep, sweet infusion with pronounced umami. Only the finest hand-picked leaves go into this lot, resulting in a cup that is well balanced, aromatic and notably smooth. The dry leaf presents as fine, deep green needles, and the tea is naturally rich in L-theanine, a point many specialty customers look for.

Product Profile

• Type: Japanese green tea (gyokuro)
• Origin: Okabe, Shizuoka, Japan
• Harvest: first flush, hand-picked
• Processing note: shade-grown for at least two weeks before picking
• Dry leaf: fine, deep green needles
• Liquor: rich, vivid jade
• Aroma: sweet, fresh and aromatic
• Flavor: deep sweetness with rich, savory umami; smooth, full body
• Caffeine: contains caffeine (green tea)

Key Selling Points

• Premium gyokuro from one of Japan's most celebrated growing areas
• First-flush, hand-picked leaf for a high-end positioning
• Distinctive umami and sweetness that set it apart from everyday sencha
• Supports multiple infusions, adding value for tasting menus and tea bars
• Well suited to luxury gift sets and pairings with Japanese sweets

Imperial Okabe Gyokuro gives wholesale partners a rare, refined Shizuoka gyokuro that showcases Japanese tea craftsmanship. Stock it as a flagship green tea for discerning customers and special-occasion sales.