Yame Traditional Authentic Gyokuro (YTAG)

Japan’s Government-Protected Pinnacle of Green Tea

Yame Traditional Authentic Gyokuro Green Tea (YTAG) holds an extraordinary place in Japanese tea culture.
Produced in extremely limited quantities, it represents the highest level of craftsmanship, tradition, and origin-specific excellence.
Celebrated in Japan and respected internationally, YTAG is recognized for its exceptional purity of flavor and uncompromising production standards.

What Makes YTAG Truly Rare

YTAG accounts for only a tiny fraction of Japan’s total tea production.
This is not a tea made for volume.
It is a tea made for those who value provenance, discipline, and authenticity—where every step is performed with purpose.

GI Certification

A National Guarantee of Origin and Quality

YTAG is protected under Japan’s Geographical Indication (GI) system, a government-recognized framework that safeguards products whose quality and reputation are inseparable from their place of origin.
In other words, “Yame Traditional Authentic Gyokuro” is not a marketing phrase.
It is a protected name that can only be used when strict criteria are met—cultivation in Yame, approved materials and methods, and verified quality standards.

Traditional Cultivation

Sweetness Born from Light Control

The signature character of YTAG begins in the tea garden.
Tea plants are cultivated in mountainous terrain and managed with a deep respect for natural vitality.
To develop its distinctive, silky sweetness and profound umami, sunlight is carefully controlled through shading.
This process encourages the tea plant to concentrate amino acids such as theanine, which contribute to YTAG’s smooth, mellow sweetness and refined depth.

Natural Straw Shading

While many gyokuro regions rely on synthetic covering materials, Yame preserves a traditional approach by using natural straw for shading.
This matters because natural materials help avoid excessive heat buildup, supporting a slower, more balanced development of flavor and aroma.

Harvesting

Hand-Picked Precision

YTAG is harvested by hand at the ideal moment, selecting only the finest growth.
Once the leaves have opened to approximately 4–5 leaves, the prized “one bud, two leaves” (ichishin nibyō) is carefully picked.
This meticulous selection is essential for achieving the delicate sweetness and luxurious mouthfeel that define authentic Yame gyokuro.

Processing

Crafted Into Beautiful Needle-Shaped Leaves

After harvest, the leaves are promptly steamed to preserve their fresh composition.
They are then carefully shaped into elegant, needle-like forms—an unmistakable hallmark of high-grade gyokuro.
Only leaves processed without defects or imperfections can qualify as YTAG.

YTAG Qualification Standards

To be recognized as Yame Traditional Authentic Gyokuro, specific technical requirements must be satisfied.
These include origin in Yame, disciplined garden management, traditional indirect “shelf” shading using natural materials such as rice straw, a shading period of at least 16 days, hand-picking at the correct harvest timing, and meticulous processing with no defects.
These standards exist to protect authenticity and preserve a level of quality that cannot be replicated at scale.

Flavor and Liquor Color

The finest gyokuro often produces a golden hue, close to being colorless and transparent.
Yet within that clarity lies remarkable depth.
Expect a smooth, velvety sweetness, rich umami, and a serene finish with minimal bitterness—an experience often described as profoundly luxurious and quietly powerful.

How to Brew

For the most refined expression of YTAG, use a small teapot to concentrate aroma and flavor while minimizing air exposure.
Avoid stirring during infusion, as agitation can introduce unwanted bitterness or off-notes.
Recommended brewing guide:
Tea leaves: 4g (about 1 teaspoon)
Water: 60–65cc (about 2–2.2 oz)
Temperature: 30–40°C (86–104°F)
Steep time: about 2 minutes

Mukoh Matcha Selection

Mukoh Matcha offers a carefully selected range of YTAG from limited producers, sourced through direct trade.
We focus on the finest single-origin tea leaves—chosen not only for prestige, but for genuine excellence you can taste.