Ise Gyokuro Chikusen
$ 37.30
伊勢 逸品玉露 竹仙
Compared to Uji or even Kyushu, the region of Mie is much less talked about as one of the first major tea production areas in Japan. Yet it is still as important a source for high end classical Japanese green tea. Many big brands come here to OEM their products, some even claiming them as from some other more popularly known origins*. That is why we buy directly from the producers here. It is quality that matters to us after all.
We have screened the best tasting teas for our offers and Tsutsumi sensei’s teas most often come up on top. I guess he was not buffing when he said, “the demand is getting crazy…”
Tea Hong’s Ise Gyokuro Chikusen is Tsutsumi sensei’s top quality green tea from this most sought after production farm in Mie. In Japan, teas from Mie and neighbouring areas are generally referred to as Ise teas. We follow that local practice.
The soft, supple, umami and slightly floral characteristics of a good value gyokuro like this is an optimum choice for receiving guests of all levels of tea appreciation skills, or for that special tranquil moment that you can retreat your overloaded mind to.
Net weight: 60g (2.1oz) in Kraft-alu pillow
In stock
Taste profile
Nose: Savoury with notes of roasted nori and dried shiitake on a floral undertone. Palate: Velvety, substantial mouthfeel. Umami with bouquet tones and touches of egg and cream, accented with a very slight touch of bitterness. Finish: Long, flavourful and quenching aftertaste, which can be exemplified with a sip of clean water.
Infusion suggestion:
To best enjoy this tea for warm serving, keep the portion small and use a infusion vessel with good heat retention character, such as a clay or porcelain teapot. An unglazed kyūsu or better yet a genuine Yixing teapot yields the best results.
Always preheat your infusion vessel and use a water that is approx pH7 with TDS 100ppm or less.
5g of leaves to 110ml water. 60°C (140°F) water for 2 min in the first round. 65°C (149°F) for 1.5 min in the second round. 70°C (158°F) for 2 min in the third. Use longer duration rather than raising temperature in subsequent rounds.
*note: However, having their teas OEM in other regions in Japan for these brands is relatively a lot more honest than some others having their teas produced in China but claiming a Japanese origin. It is estimated that a substantial percentage (80%+) of “Japanese” tea available in the global market is actually China produced.
Additional information
| Weight | 110 g |
|---|---|
| Class: | |
| Recommendation: | |
| Origin: | |
| TCM character: | |
| Packaging: | |
| Infusion color: | |
| Vintage |
Reviews(1)
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Orchid Literati, Phoenix dancong oolong
Tea, Oolongs, Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Cool Energy鳳凰春茶、鴨屎香單欉
the genuine Duck Poo Tea
As a person continues to discover tea, sometimes finding one with subtle and yet complex fineness seems a lot more exciting than one with strong impressions. That is how we feel when we got hold of this. The locals aptly name it “Cao-lan” (Cymbidium goeringii), the rare orchid which ancient Chinese literati had revered for millenniums for its understated beauty and fragrance*. The long, sweet yet subtle taste and aftertaste of this tea echos the sentiments for the civilized persistence for humanity virtues of the classic eras. If you enjoy our Eight Immortals, Orchid Literati will take you to another level.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack 
Tieguanyin Floral, bouquet oolong
Tea, Oolongs, Minnan/ Mindong, Fujian, Floral Aromas, Milder Tastes, Cold Energy花香滿樓 頭春金觀音
A very fragrant Jin Guanyin
While some people like their Tieguanyin subtle and long like it used to be traditionally, some others want it to be more floral. So we give you Tieguanyin Floral, a very bouquet version of this popular oolong. The cultivar is Jin Guanyin ( aka Golden Tieguanyin ), a child between the traditional Tieguanyin plant and a relatively newer bleed, Huangjin Gui *. While the latter is widely used as a substitute for the genuine Tieguanyin for its pleasing nose, it lacks the body and length of the real thing. The resultant hybrid, however, has the best of both parents. The terroir is in Xianghua, a mountainous area in the Anxi county in the subtropical southern part of Fujian, where the best Tieguanyin is produced. This tea is also available in a small portion as a part of Tea Taster’s Box: Nine Oolong Samplers.
Net weight: 120 g (4.2 oz) in Kraft-alu pack 
Narcissus Classic, Wuyi yancha oolong
Tea, Oolongs, Wuyi-shan, Denser Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Warm Energy武夷、正岩水仙
Dark Rock Shuixian:
This tea may have the same name as some low quality tea used in dimsum restaurants but it certainly tastes differently. It is the ORIGINAL Shuixian, the famous oolong that grows on dark rock cliffs in the depth of Wuyi Mountains. Narcissus Classic, like most other deeper baked oolongs, goes well with a wide range of cuisines and desserts and is a great digestive. Also an adaptable tea for preparation with other ingredients, such as ginger and raw sugar, and a safer tea for the weaker stomach.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack 
White Peony Classic Long, traditional white tea
Tea, White teas, Minnan/ Mindong, Fujian, Lighter Aromas, Milder Tastes, Neutral-Cool Energy明前、政和牡丹王
Zhenghe Mudan Wang
While White Peony from Fuding tastes more floral, that from the other earliest region, Zhenghe, tastes longer and deeper. The more tedious curing process is marked by the darker colors on the leaves. While many prize Silver Needle Supreme for its delicate taste and furry appearance, a superb traditional white tea as White Peony Classic Long delivers a more impressive taste experience. That may explain why this Mudan Wang, aka King of White Peony, is considered the best and most classical representation from the origin, and a favourite by many tea connoisseurs. As most aficionados prefer it, we have always matured this tea adequately before releasing it in the shop. The current stock is a single batch first flush ( i.e. pre-Qing-ming ) that we have matured in our environment since its harvest in 2019.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in wide Kraft-alu pack
This is my first gyokuro and I’m newer to high end teas so I will try not to speak out of my a(xx) TOO much, but this is a lovely tea.
The liquor is a vibrant green and the nose brings me to a hot humid day at the ocean, full of sea spray and seaweed. I get the roasted nori a little bit, but it still has a rather fresh smell overall to me.
The flavor is deep and it’s thick across the tongue. It’s savory and comforting and a bit creamy, and the floral notes are very subtle. There is a slight bitterness at the back of the tongue, but a sip of cool water brightens things up, amping up the both the bitterness a bit and freshness a lot.
If you like greens but always wanted a little more from them, without adding too much bitterness or that spinach like flavor from higher temps or longer brew times I think this will be a good choice for you.
Price point aside (as this does get a little pricey per session) I think this tea may be a little too robust as an everyday drinker for me sipping away while working my desk job. However, this is exactly what I want to drink on a slow chilly morning, or after dinner to share with my guests. Thank you for the tea!