SATORI

PREMIUM GYOKURO

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Description

First harvest tea (2021)

This stunning dento-hon gyokuro reflects the remarkable attention to detail of Kiya-san. The rich and invigorating tea has been shaded with natural rice straw “sumaki,” which blocks at least 95% of the sunlight. Once one or more leaves appear from the new buds, the tea bushes are covered to block out sunlight.

Careful attention in preparation of this special tea, especially in relation to water temperature control, will bring out complex and enveloping notes of miso and nori with hints of citrus and nasturtium. You will be rewarded with a savory and umami-rich cup. SATORI yields great notes of iodine and fresh grass that will stay on your palate long after you have finished your cup.

Read the review of SATORI made by award-winning tea blogger Nicole at Tea for Me Please.

Origin
100% Japanese tea from Yame
Quality and Type
Premium Gyokuro

Gallery

Organic
No
Cultivars
Yabukita, Yamakai, Gokou

Tasting Notes

sweetness

A sweet-tasting tea is a very light tea that leaves a sensation of natural sweetness in the mouth.

UMAMI

Although there is no official translation of the word “umami”, some call it “savory taste”: it leaves a mild and lasting pleasant brothy after taste and is recognized as one of the five basic tastes (together with sweetness, sourness, bitterness, and saltiness). It also induces salivation and a furriness sensation on the tongue, stimulating the throat, the roof and the back of the mouth.

BITTERNESS

The natural bitterness of green tea comes from the way it is made. Unlike black and oolong teas, green teas are made from the unfermented leaves of the tea plant, which keeps the antioxidants intact, but also gives them the bitter taste. This bitterness can be regulated with the water temperature : the higher the more bitter and vice-versa.

CAFFEINE

Caffeine is a naturally-occurring stimulant, found in several plants. Caffeine is water soluble, and is extracted into the brewed cup when preparing tea. In most cases, tea has much less caffeine than coffee.

CATECHINS

Catechins are a type of polyphenol (EGCG) and are the main astringency component in green tea, long known as tannins. In order to release more catechins you will need higher brewing temperature at around 80 but this will also increase the astringency and bitterness of your tea because of the caffeine. Dont use such temperatures for Gyokuro.

THEANINE

L-theanine (here referred to as theanine) is an amino acid that has a relaxing, but not sedating, effect. It is renowned for its ability to put you in the ideal state of calm attentiveness. It can sharpen focus, while reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being. Theanine can interact with caffeine, allowing a smaller dose of caffeine to have a stronger effect in terms of boosting concentration and alertness.

FRAGRANCE

The fragrance of a cup of green tea can vary from a highly roasted aroma to a fresh one.

Preparation

Tea for one person
4g /0.14oz

Water
40ml /1.35oz

Temperature
40C / 104F

Brewing
120s

DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS & PRODUCT SHEET (PDF)

Producer

KIYA YASUHIKO

Yasuhiko Kiya the Third (heir and third owner of Kiya-horyouen) is a certified Japanese Tea Appraiser (out of a total of 39 in Japan). He works to spread new ideas and concepts about Japanese tea and promote Yame tea, Gyokuro and Tea culture in general.

We are very honored to propose Kiya san’s incredible teas and be able to collaborate together on news ways to enjoy green tea by going beyond the traditional ways.

Kiya san has developed exclusive teas for IKKYU. His deep and unique knowledge of tea along with the quality of Kiya san’s products will lift you to the highest levels of Japanese Green Tea.

Kiya san’s interview

Unopened
8 months

Opened
3 weeks

Resealable vacuum bag, or aluminium bag with neutral gaz for best preservation.

Reviews

antonio vazquez (verified owner) – February 24, 2021

Delicious
Mikhail Usachev (verified owner) – February 26, 2021

This gyokuro has deep, rich taste and brings quite a philosophical mood(hence the name?). Highly recommend it to all gyokuro lovers.
CHERRY (verified owner) – April 8, 2021

This is one of my favourite gyokuro, and I really enjoy its sweet flavour and refreshing aroma. worth every penny.
jmacyang (verified owner) – May 6, 2021

Rich taste ! It’s a well interesting experience when you brew the first time, if you try “ dragon well xihu longjing “ Chinese green tea. You will know how good these two are
Ilya Gorbachev (verified owner) – September 8, 2021

Delicious gyokuro with subtle aroma and deep body.
Joe Halasey (verified owner) – September 30, 2021

Thick velvety texture,wonderful flavors. I usually brew hotter and longer but following the recommendation on package I was pleasantly surprised by the result.
MarekD (verified owner) – January 9, 2022

I prepared this Gyokuro on ice and also with warm water (40C). Using warm water – this great tea has nicely balanced, complex and intense umami flavour and long lasting sweet aftertaste. 2nd brew has very slight tones of bitterness – this intensifies with 3rd brew. Ice prepared Satori Gyokuro – definitely must try! Light and intensive mineral-umami flavour also with long lasting sweet aftertaste, beautiful viscosity and green colour. Very refreshing.
mm (verified owner) – March 20, 2022

This tea definitely deserves to be called “umami bomb”. As soon as you take it in, you can not only taste but also feel the umami all over your tongue, it has a very thick feeling. It’s very long lasting and very intense. This tea can also be rebrewed many times, even after 5 rebrews the taste was still delicious and after each rebrew the taste slightly shifts. Would recommend this tea to anyone that seeks an intense and flavorful experience!