Hon Gyokuro
A luxurious, ceremonial-grade green tea from the misty mountains of Fukuoka and Mie—rich in umami, sweet nuance, and centuries of Japanese tradition.
Shaded under rice-straw for three weeks and hand-crafted in Japan’s finest tea-growing regions, Hon Gyokuro offers a round, buttery mouthfeel with notes of sweet corn, muscat grape, and layered savoury depth. This deep emerald tea is rich, serene, and designed for contemplative sipping—an exquisite experience from leaf to cup.
Why You'll Love It:
- Premium Shading: Covered for 3-4 weeks to develop intense umami and sweetness
- Elegant Flavour: Buttery texture with notes of corn, grape, and deep savoury layers
- Ceremonial Quality: Carefully hand-picked and needle-rolled for true refinement
- Traditional Craftsmanship: Rooted in time-honoured Japanese tea-making
Origin & Character:
Fukuoka & Mie Prefectures, Japan: Mountain mists, cool climate, and nutrient-rich soil shape the unique terroir of this tea. Leaves are shaded under rice-straw tarps (honzu method) for nearly a month, concentrating L-theanine and chlorophyll.
Tasting Notes: Silky and full-bodied, with a buttery finish and hints of sweet corn and muscat. The deep green infusion is savoury and soothing, leaving a soft, lingering sweetness on the palate.
Functional Benefits:
- High in L-Theanine: Promotes focused calm and sustained mental clarity
- Rich in Antioxidants: Supports wellness and cellular health
- Daily Ritual: A grounding, luxurious tea for quiet reflection or ceremony
Hon Gyokuro is more than a tea—it’s a deeply traditional expression of Japanese tea mastery. Revered for its complexity and gentle energy, it invites you to slow down and savour each nuanced sip. Perfect for thoughtful rituals, gifting, or indulgent everyday luxury.
Brewing
Use 1 tsp per cup or 1 rounded tsp per person for a teapot. Pour freshly boiled spring water, cooled to 60-70C, over the leaves and infuse for 1-2 minutes.
Ingredients
green tea
t leaf T’s Commitment to Sustainable Packaging
At t leaf T, we're committed to reducing our environmental impact.
Why Do We Use Stand-Up Pouches?
Our stand-up pouches are made from soft plastic with a thin foil lining. This lining acts as a crucial barrier against light, moisture, and air, ensuring our teas stay fresh and flavorful throughout their shelf life.
In addition to protecting our teas, this type of flexible packaging is more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional rigid packaging. Here’s why:
- Space-saving: Stand-up pouches ship, store, and dispose of flat, reducing the materials needed to produce them.
- Lower carbon footprint: They require less CO2 to manufacture and transport.
- Efficient design: We print directly on the pouches, eliminating the need for extra labels and further reducing waste.
Why We Don't Use Compostable Packaging
We understand the desire for fully compostable packaging, and we’d love to offer it. However, after extensive testing, we’ve identified two key challenges that prevent us from switching:
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Limited disposal options: Compostable packaging isn't accepted in council kerbside collections and isn't recyclable, meaning it usually ends up in landfill.
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Compromised tea quality: Biodegradable and compostable pouches degrade over time, even in storage. Teas need robust protection from light, moisture, aromas, and oxygen to maintain their freshness and flavour. During our tests, we found that compostable packaging allowed cross-contamination of aromas, especially in blends like Chai and English Breakfast. The result? A noticeable reduction in quality, which is unacceptable for our premium teas.
Given these issues, we’ve made the decision to stick with stand up pouches that ensures the highest quality and food safety for our teas.
Looking Forward to a Greener Future
At t leaf T, we're always on the lookout for better, more sustainable packaging options that don’t compromise on quality. Rest assured, we're committed to finding a solution that meets both our environmental goals and your tea standards.







