Ratings and Reviews of Yame Gyokuro

A great introduction to gyokuro, this is an attractive lower cost option and lured me in because of it. I did find the brewing to be difficult to get consistent, and that the lower temperature produced great flavor with no bitterness. Terrific flavors and very complex.

Advantages: Cost, high complexity for the price

Disadvantages: Difficult to brew consistently, lower temperature reduces warming effect and makes for lukewarm tea at most.

Intensely grassy up front with ocean notes, followed by lingering sweetness. Second cup grassiness is not so intense, but nicely balanced with the sweet finish.

This was my first Gyokuro from O-Cha and made every Gyokuro I had ever tried seem like trash. Practically no bitterness although one must take care by brewing. For me it has the best value/price ratio from all the   O-cha Gyokuro although it lacks in "umami" when compared to the more expensive ones. I always brew at exactly 80C. 70 degrees will result in loss of flavour and 90 degrees bring some bitterness.

This is a great little gyokuro, and you really can not go wrong with the price. Brilliant for what you get! I can easily get 4 brews out of the same serving. The first cup has lots of umami and is light but still very, very tasty. The second cup is just exploding with flavor, very tasty but very, very strong. Love it! One of the reviewers below said that 135 degrees was the best temperature and I would have to strongly disagree, or at least my taste buds do. The O-cha reccomended brewing temp of 140 is without a doubt the best for the first cup, and then add 10 degrees for each successive steep- and maybe 20 for the last one. I'll definitely be buying this gyokuro again :) 

My first gyokuro and it is lovely. Thick flavorful first brew with great umami taste. Can get 4-5 infusions in my small shibo.

Always consistent .....as many say 'great 
daily Gyokuro..I alternate between Yame
and Sho-un

Good daily Gyokuro, that lovely sweet taste in a less-expensive package. Though Gyokuros are known as hard to brew, this one is rather forgiving for the beginner, and makes a lovely cold brew if you can't tell your shrimp eyes from a rolling boil. Definitely a good introduction to people who think green teas are bitter and need a spoonful of sugar, I'd cry if I saw someone putting even a grain of sugar in my cup!

A very intense gyokuro tea! Recommended.

This is my every-day tea. Have to be brewed with care. Nice taste once you find out.

If you love the umami taste to gyokuro, choose this tea. If you prefer a sweeter or tartier gyokuro, consider otherwise.

If you are to brew it, however, keep in mind that it is a very finicky tea, and is very prone to bitterness.

I suggest a different brewing procedure to the above. Brew at a lower temperature, approximately 135F (this might not seem like much of a difference, but trust me- it is). Use 1.0-1.1 grams per ounce, not the suggested 1.2 grams. Brew for two minutes as suggested.

Despite the seemingly harsh tone to this review, I actually love this tea, and I look forward every day to drinking it. I would advise everyone to try it at least once, if not for anything else but that quintessential umami taste.