We don't know when or if this item will be available.
“As Maiko’s description states, this has quite potent sweetness, yet it is very smooth. Other gyokuro I’ve had, the sweetness was good far too powerful. The sweetness of this tea is intense, but at...” Read full tasting note
In contrast to the very popular ‘Shincha’ (freshly harvested tea) Nomigoro belongs to the ‘Kuradashi Cha’ (out of the storehouse tea) category. As with good wine it takes many years to mature it’s distinct flavor. Tea expert Yamashita Toshikazu keeps this Gyokuro in a designated cold store for about 5 years to create an especially potent sweetness and mellow flavor.
The thick leaves create an emerald colored beverage with a soft palate texture. The high quality tea maintains its good flavor even up to 4-5 servings.
(Kuradashi Gyokuro)
See this tea (Steps 1-5) for more info:
http://steepster.com/teas/maiko/17846-yamashitas-gyokuro-yashiki-no-cha
Company description not available.
As Maiko’s description states, this has quite potent sweetness, yet it is very smooth. Other gyokuro I’ve had, the sweetness was good far too powerful. The sweetness of this tea is intense, but at the same time mellow; perhaps it’s more accurate to say the sweetness fills one’s mouth, but is simply delightful.
The second steeping was less sweet, but again was extremely smooth and balanced, marine and umami and sweet, but none was too much.
Even though I did the first steeping with ice cold water, I think it would actually be better with warm (140F); , the icy water method is good, but doesn’t yield as intense a liquor, and I think warm and mellow just go better together (2nd steep and on I did do warm/hot but still).
This was very good! Hope to get to try some again some day.
If you’d like to try their 5 high quality gyokuro set, look here: http://www.maiko.ne.jp/english/shopping/yamashita-gyokuro.htm – Scroll to 5 High Quality Gyokuro set. It’s not as cheap as when I got it on sale (about $31 for 5 samples, 8g each), but it’s not terrible if you compare to the cost of buying them individually. It will probably go on sale again next spring.
Interesting this concept of kuradashi cha, I had never heard of it before.
Yeah, my experience with kuradashi cha so far has been very good! (2 gyokuro and one sencha)