Discontinued. Similar tea available.
“Here we go with the last of the Teavana gift set… I brought this to work with me today and managed not to spill it – yay! It’s very smooth, green and slightly sweet. Definitely a bit spinach-y, but...” Read full tasting note
“I was very surprised when I opened the bag inside the tin to find neon green powder coated tea leaves, though I had guessed it wasn’t just match when I felt the bag. This brews up the same neon...” Read full tasting note
“Very subtle, fairly smooth with only the most minor astringency. It’s very good, which surprised me from Teavana, but there again, it /is/ a gyokuro.” Read full tasting note
“I am a sucker for a good matcha powder. Winner winner chicken with tea dinner.” Read full tasting note
A Green Tea included in Teavana’s Shizuoka Green Tea Gift Set.
Website’s Description:
The Shizuoka region of Japan has been producing fine teas for over 800 years and grows 50% of the tea consumed in Japan. This handsome gift set includes four of the most traditional and sought after Japanese green teas: Gyokuro Matcha, Fukamushi Superior, Gyokuro Genmaicha, and Tama Ryokucha. Each comes in an ornate traditional origami paper 2oz tin (four total). 2oz of each green tea are included along with details of these teas. Comes in a beautiful gift box.
Here we go with the last of the Teavana gift set…
I brought this to work with me today and managed not to spill it – yay! It’s very smooth, green and slightly sweet. Definitely a bit spinach-y, but I like that. I want to drink more of my Japanese greens so I can justify buying something from Mellow Monk when their new teas come out. See how crazy I am… always thinking ahead to the next purchase. :-D
I was very surprised when I opened the bag inside the tin to find neon green powder coated tea leaves, though I had guessed it wasn’t just match when I felt the bag. This brews up the same neon green. Yeah… not nearly as smooth and sophisticated as Gyokuro Imperial and not as sweet and thick as Imperial Grade Matcha (the latter is ground from the former’s leaves, talking strictly Teavana here), so not the best of both worlds taste wise.
Sure its not horrible but it reminds me more of Gyokuro Genmaicha, in its toasty nuttiness (but not the nuttiness used to describe Chinese greens) and I’m not a fan of genmaicha. Not digging the chalky mouthfeel either. I turned the majority of the first steep into an iced tea with local blackberry honey as I was quite warm. Drinking the second infusion warm as the husband turned the air on when he got home.
I would not buy this if it was offered outside out the gift set, but it does make me look forward to ordering some DavidsTea’s Gyokuro Yamashiro when its back in.. wait it is in stock, but surely it must be last year’s harvest, right? It seems Mellow Monk’s Top Leaf has surpassed it in ratings so will have to order both, later…
I need this tea set in my life. I’m such a green tea nerd.
Also, I’m confused by the picture… is this a loose leaf tea or a powder (matcha) ? The picture makes it look like its just a leaf, so, Gyokuro leaf with matcha mixed in? I know they make they ceremonial matcha with Gyokuro so it could be anything haha.
It’s a gyokuro leaf with matcha mixed in
I wish they sold that separately from this gift set!
I’m always thinking ahead too Amy. :)) Noordelijk, I got a Teavana sample of this from Amy I wish they sold seperately:
http://steepster.com/teas/teavana/23904-tama-ryokucha
That was such a good tea! :))