Aiya Premium Loose Leaf Green Tea (Premium Gyokuro, 80 grams)

If you are searching for authentic Japanese green tea as opposed to what is available in most grocery stores, then Aiya is a great choice. I have tried their Organic Gyokuro, Organic Sencha and Organic Matcha Infused Sencha. All of the aforementioned products have been excellent. Bottom line, if prepared properly, the aroma and flavor of their tea is splendid!The quality and cost of green tea varies widely. I did some research and found that Aiya products had been rated high in taste tests and their prices seemed relatively reasonable. So I gave them a try and I'm happy that I did. The shipping and delivery was prompt and there was thorough communication. The items were properly packaged. The tea comes in an airtight tin with a reusable screw-top lid.IMPORTANT - Each tin has brewing instructions clearly printed on the exterior. Follow those instructions. It is tempting to just pour the boiling water straight onto the tea and steep it longer than instructed. If you do that, then it will taste bitter instead of smooth and refreshing. If you want stronger tea, then increase the volume of tea leaves. It is also important that your teacup is already warm when pouring in the finished product so that the tea does not cool too quickly.My Method (Single Cup, more complex than using a tea bag, less complex than traditional Japanese prep)1. Add cold filtered water to a clean tea kettle and boil2. Pour the instructed volume of water into a 2-cup glass measuring cup, i.e. Pyrex3. Allow water to warm the measuring cup4. Pour water from measuring cup into teacup5. Place infuser basket in measuring cup (I use the stainless steel infuser basket that came with our ceramic teapot)6. Add instructed volume of tea leaves to basket7. Once water in teacup is at the instructed temperature, pour water over tea leaves8. Steep for instructed time9. Remove basket and set on top of teacup10. Pour tea from measuring cup over leaves in basket into teacup11. Drain basket, place in measuring cup and save for 2nd steep12. Sip carefully and enjoy!

Weaker flavor and slightly lower quality than the Shizuoka hand picked I bought after.I found myself using more of the leav s to get a full flavor; I do however like a medium to heavy bodied tea. This was too subtle for my taste.

Really smooth. No bitterness if you brew it with the recommended temperature and the proper amount of tea. Great flavor. A few more fine particles than I've found with other teas. But this was a better price per ounce. It is worth the price you pay for it.

Really weak tea

I really liked this after the first few cups, which seemed flowery compared to a sencha I had been drinking. Turned out to be very good. I'll order again.

A very smooth and nutty blend. I loved the addition of the matcha as it turbocharged the color and flavor. It's still an extremely light tea though and one that I will enjoy for weeks.

This tea is only second to Aiya's organic matcha. But for gyokuro, it is the best. Highly recommend to all tea lovers.

I'm no connoisseur but this tea is really enjoyable. The preparation method described in the earlier review worked well for me - I'll definitely be ordering more...