Green Tea Forum

stealth162 · Posted: Mar 11, 2007 11:17 am Post subject: Gyokuro grades available

First I want to say thank you. Today I took some of your (Tsuen) Gyokuro Fujitsubo to one of my local tea vendors. We did a taste comparison with the Fujitsubo and their highest grade Gyokuro. The Fujitsubo was hands down the winner. I received thank you's and hugs just for bring it in for them to taste.

Now, that I've enjoyed this high level Gyokuro I am curious about other even higher grade Gyokuro's that might be out there. I read in other posts that you know of higher grades. Are you selling these? If not, do you know whom I can contact for more information. I'm on a quest. Smile

Thank you for opening my eyes.

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

I think our Uji Gyokuro Gyoku-Hou is as good as Fujitsubo, but then again it doesn't have nearly the same name recognition. There are higher grades available, it's still "up there."

I will consider doing a limited edition gyokuro that is a higher grade than what we carry, I've received several requests for that.

stealth162 · Posted: Mar 12, 2007 1:42 am Post subject: Great

Put me on the list to order. I was also wondering if there is anyway to buy a larger pack of some of the teas you sell. I drink tea daily and 100 grams doesn't last long.

stealth162 · Posted: Mar 12, 2007 9:31 am Post subject: Hibiki-an

Is anyone familiar with or have ordered from a company called Hibiki-an. They claim to have a higher grade Gyokuro (higher than the Tsun Gyokuro Fujitsubo sold here on o-cha). I'm not trying to promote them in anyway, just curious if anyone has experience with their tea.

This is a link to the tea they claim higher grade than Fujitsubo.

http://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info.php/cPath/40/products_id/430

wehayley · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 195

I've bought teaware from them, but not tea. I have been happy with those transactions...

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

I don't see where this is a higher grade than Fujitsubo, which is also picked by hand.

stealth162 · Posted: Mar 12, 2007 11:48 pm Post subject: Hope I don't get anyone in trouble.

I hope I don't get anyone at Hibiki-an, but when I emailed them ask about how their tea compared to Tsuen Fujitsubo this is the response I received.

"If you enjoy top grade Gyokuro of Tsuen, our Gyokuro Super Premium is
almost same with it. However, our Gyokuro Pinnacle is some more noble
than it, because it is grown in Inooka aria in Uji."

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

jasonian · Posted: Mar 14, 2007 5:35 am Post subject:

I purchased Hibiki-an's gyokuro pinnacle and I thought it was great, but it had a few more stems than I was expecting and I thought O-Cha's shou-un was just as good at a more affordable price. That being said I love Hibiki-an's teaware and customer service.

Yunomi-no U don't · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 10

Hello Kevin/Admin,
Yes, there have been a few inquiries regarding getting ahold of some "higher quality" Gyokuro (Though what you have will be hard to beat!). And I again want to let you know I will certainly be in line to purchase the higher grade. Maybe you can take a poll on how many customers would actually pay the higher price for the higher grade Gyokuro, and then place an order to fill this need so you don't get stuck with a bunch of expensive tea (I'm sure you would drink some of it....). At the least, maybe you can get some different types of Gyokuro so we can experiment with the different flavors. Do you feel you have enough Gyokuro customers to warrant stocking different types of Gyokuro? Sorry to go on about this, but as one of the Gyokuro fanatics, I can't wait to try something different (as long as it's Gyokuro....).

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

I will get some higher grade stuff here in the next week or so, absolutely. I'll let you know here when it comes in.

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

After talking to my supplier, it looks like I should be able to get "some" of the highest grade they carry. This is the time of the year where gyokuro (and some of the top sencha as well) is in the shortest supply but they have a bit left. Plus, I also have some higher grades of Tsuen gyokuro available as well. Standby..... popcorn

Yunomi-no U don't · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 10

I'm heating up the water right now and setting aside my special Gyokuro cup (I don't drink sencha out of this cup, reserved for Gyokuro only....).
Just as a quick and possible dumb question, is this tea from the 2006 season?

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

Yeah, 2006.....

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

So let it be asked, so let it be done. Just added Uji Gyokuro Kame-Giru-Shi, a hand picked very high quality gyokuro, in 50 gram packaging.

I hate to say this, but there are even higher grades than this but they become increasingly hard to obtain, especially at this time of the year. There are even some in "private reserve" which I can probably get on a limited basis from time to time but they will be far and few between. This is the highest grade currently available from this particular vendor and also on our site. I most likely will add another grade from Tsuen in the not too distant future.