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Tea Series Four: Gyokuro Gokou — The King of Japanese Green Tea

 A Premium Tea Experience With the King of Japanese Green Tea


Gyokuro Gokou, the King of Japanese Green Tea
(photo by JenniferW)

Welcome back to Tea Series, a  quiet corner where I share gentle sips and meaningful full brews. Today’s feature is a rare gem from Kyoto, Gyokuro Gokou, a tea known for its deep umami, smooth sweetness, and calming brewing moment.

Let’s take a pause and discover what makes this tea the crown jewel of Japanese green teas.

A Brief History of Green Tea

Green tea has a long and rich history that dates back over 5000 years. It originated in China, where it was first consumed as a medicinal drink. According to legend, Emperor Shen Nong discovered tea when leaves from a wild tea tree blew into his pot of boiling water. 

In Japan, green tea evolved uniquely, with different cultivation and processing methods that giving rise to styles like Sencha, Matcha, and Gyokuro. It became not only a beverage but cultural symbol, deeply tied to harmony, respect, and mindfulness.

By the 8th century, green tea was introduced to Japan by one’s returning from China. It became an integral part of Zen Buddhism, especially among the monks who used it to stay awake during meditation.

What Makes a Tea Truly Special?

On the d:Matcha shop website, Gyokuro is described as:

“An exquisite tea known as the King of Japanese Green Tea, produced through a unique method called Tana (shading). It involves shading the tea plants for over 20 days to enhance the richness of its umami flavour.”

This particular tea, Gyokuro Gokou, is made from a rare cultivar organically grown in Kyoto Prefecture. It is caffeine-rich but gentle, earthy and yet sweet. This tea is what I would call a layered experience. The sweetness, the umami, the earthy finish are all unfold one by one. Kind of like what Shrek says about onions, they have many layers. Well, so does this Gyokuro Gokou, only it tastes much better than an onion.

Once opened, it stays fresh for up to a year. Just store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. No addictive or gimmick, just pure, organic Japanese green tea.

Whether you are new to green tea or seeking a more mindful brewing method, this post will guide through both hot and cold brew style.


What You Will Need

Here are some helpful tools to get the best flavour from your tea:

  • A Japanese teapot (normally brew in shiboridashi handleless teapot)
  • A small digital scale
Tip: Tea leaves are very light and may not register on larger scale.
  • A porcelain or wooden spoon for scooping tea leaves.
  • A timer.
  • A heatproof measuring jug (glass is ideal)
  • Small tea cups (to encourage slow, mindful sipping)
  • An electric kettle with temperature control. Different teas need different water temperatures.

Ingredients

  • 4-5g of Organic Gyokuro Gokou Green Tea
  • 40-50 ml water (temperature varies per steeping stage, see below)

How to Brew (Hot Method)

Gyokuro Gokou is brewed with a small amount of water, almost like the espresso of Gyokuro. This is why it has a higher caffeine content, but the effect is softened and beautiful balanced by the calming amino acid L-theanine. 

Step 1: Prepare

  • Boil water to 40 °C.
  • Warm your teapot and cups by rinsing them with hot water, then discard the water.
  • Weight out 4-5g of tea leaves and add them into your teapot.
Note: Unlike oolong or pu’er teas, green tea does not need a “rinsing” or awakening step.


Step 2: Brew in Four Stages

First Brew

  • 40 °C water
  • Steep for 2 minutes

Second Brew

  • 55 °C water
  • Steep for 1 minutes

Third Brew

  • 75 °C water
  • Steep for 30 seconds

Fourth Brew

  • 90-95 °C water
  • No steeping, just pour and enjoy.
Tip: The temperature of the water is the key to a sweet and balanced cup.

Bonus: Cold Brew with Used Leaves

After the second hot brew, the tea leaves are perfect for a gentle cold brew.

How to Cold Brew:

Just add 2-3 ice cubes into the third brew and let them melt, creating a gentle, chilled, and refreshing tea.

Tasting Notes

Gyokuro Gokou carries a smooth, gentle sweetness, balanced with grassy umami that lingers softly.
  • 1st brew: Delicate sweetness, gentle umami.
  • 2nd brew: Fuller aroma, deeper savoury notes.
  • 3rd brew: Earthy, warm, mellow finish.
  • 4th brew: Light and clear, with a soft lingering aftertaste.
Each brew reveals a different side of the tea, a quiet unfolding of flavours.

What’s The Difference Between Green Tea and Sencha?

All Sencha is green tea, but not all green tea is Sencha. Here is how they differ:

  • Type: Green tea is a broad category that includes many varieties. Sencha is one specific style of Japanese green tea.
  • Origin: Green Tea is grown in countries like China, Japan, and Korea, while Sencha comes only from Japan.
  • Processing: Green tea processing varies by region. Most are steamed or pan-fried to stop oxidation. Sencha is always steamed immediately after harvest to preserve its bright colour and aroma.
  • Shading: Most green tea is grown in full sunlight. Sencha is also grown in sunlight, unlike shaded teas such as Gyokuro or Kabusecha.
  • Taste: Green tea can be sweet, bitter, grassy, or roasted, depending on type. Sencha is typically refreshing, grassy, slightly umami, with a mild astringency.


Sencha is the most commonly consumed green tea in Japan, typically brewed at higher temperatures than Gyokuro, which is shaded and more delicate.

A Gentle Moments

Drinking green tea isn’t just about the tea, it is about the pause.
  • Sip slowly from a small cup.
  • Inhale the aroma before your first taste.
  • Brew each rounds and enjoy how the flavour unfolds.
Perfect for sharing with families, or visitors to your home, or savouring on your own.

Final Thoughts

Gyokuro Gokou is a calming cup of wellness, it is smooth, earthy, and subtly sweetness. Whether you are sipping it hot or enjoy it chilled, take a quiet pause to savour the beautiful, carefully grown cultivar. 


🍃 If you like to read more about Gyokuro Gokou and its cultivation, you can visit the d:Matcha website.


🎥 Gyokuro Gokou, the King of Japanese Green Tea YouTube




💌 Enjoyed this recipe?

You can find more comforting recipes and reflections on A Journey with Joy at Substack. Subscribing is free, and you are always welcome.

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