Organic gyokuro Haruto is a new variety of gyokuro that was only registered about 6 years ago and is relatively rare on the market. It is only grown by a handful of farms in Kyushu, with our particular gyokuro grown in Shibushi City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is harvested earlier in the season than typical and the risk of frost damage is high. Because of the difficulty in growing it, the fact that it's a very new and rare breed, it's unlikely you will encounter this very often in the future.  We had the opportunity to carry it this year, we tried it, and we were quite impressed.

This particular gyokuro is a very high quality green tea that has won awards in Japan. It is a variety with elegant sweetness and umami with dark green tea leaves.

As you may be aware, there are not a lot of organic gyokuro green teas that are what you would call superb, but Haruto is an exception to that general trend. Yes, the price is a bit more expensive than your regular sencha green tea, but considering that less than 1% of all green tea is grown and harvested as gyokuro, and even more rare an organic one that's this superb, that's just how it rolls with a tea of this caliber. 

We find this tea to be very delightful with complex, strong umami notes and after taste. Thoroughly delicious when brewed correctly, probably best made in a shiboridashi teapot with care. As with all gyokuro, it is shade grown for about three weeks before harvesting, giving it a greener color and sweeter taste.  Once you learn to make it properly, you wil be hooked for life!

This is not really a beginner green tea, care must be taken when brewing. Be sure to read our brewing instructions as it is brewed differently than sencha: How to Brew Gyokuro - Step-by-Step Instructions!

Organic gyokuro Haruto is available in 100 gm packages.