Uji Honzu Gyokuro

Straw-shaded for over a month before being hand-picked, this gyokuro has an enticingly sweet aroma, an umami rich body, and a long-lasting finish

Honzu (本簀) shading is the most traditional shading method. Dating back at least over 400 years, the Honzu method uses the same shelf system as kanreisha but uses a screen of reeds as the first layer of shading instead of synthetic fabric. Though considerably more labour intensive and expensive to construct, the reed screen allows for even more air and moisture to circulate around the plants producing higher-quality, more complex teas. Additional layers of shading are added by placing straw mats on top of the reed screen.

Producer: Yoshida Meichaen
Region: Uji, Kyoto
Elevation: 15m
Cultivar: Samidori
Harvested: May 20, 2025
Picking: Hand-picked