Contains ultra-high antioxidant level of 11.60% vs 5-6% for mass-market teas.
Character: Expansive green tea flavor with delicious vegetative notes. An excellent steamed green tea. Though this tea comes from China it is produced to Japanese specifications on Japanese machinery. The base tea is from single buds only available during March and April - when the best green leaf is produced. To increase the chlorophyll tea bushes are covered with bamboo and straw shading from March 1 to 20th (more or less). The leaves are plucked about 1-2 weeks after the shading comes off. The leaves are small - less than 1 inch but extremely fragrant and tender. The plucked leaves are gently bruised and then lightly steamed, producing dark green leaves that give a slightly pungent tea with depth and character. Organic tea is produced without the input of chemical fertilizers or pesticides and herbicides. Certified Organic by QMI Organic Inc. Certificate #: 150 - 2008. USDA Certified Organic.
Country of Origin: China
Region: Zhejiang Province
Grade: Japanese Gyokuro style
Altitude: up to 2500 ft above sea level
Manuf. Type: Steamed and pan-fired
Infusion: Tending bright forest green
Ingredients: Luxury organic green tea
Hot Tea: This tea is best enjoyed by pouring 180F/90C water over the leaves (1 tsp per cup) for 1-3 minutes (longer=stronger). Don't remove the leaves. Can be infused repeatedly 2-3 times using higher temperatures & shorter infusions until flavor is exhausted.
Iced Tea: Pour 1 1/4 cups of hot water over 6 teaspoons of tea and steep for 5 minutes. Pour into pitcher while straining leaves, add ice and top up with cold water to make a quart of iced tea. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
Note: As a Certified Organic Food Handler and Tea Supplier these products are certified 100% organic and are grown without conventional pesticides, petroleum based fertilizers or sewage-sludge based fertilizers. Our producer is certified by the following organic programs:
- NOP (US - USDA - CERT: 150-2008)
- COR (CANADA - CFIA - CERT: 150-2008)
- EU (Organic Farmers and Growers - CERT: CANP0038)