Gyokuro vs matcha: where the money goes
Both are expensive shaded Japanese teas and the cost sits in different places, which changes what you should check before buying.
tea
What is being compared
Point by point
| Aspect | Gyokuro | Matcha |
|---|---|---|
| What you pay for | Shading labour and hand-picking of tender leaf. | The same, plus de-stemming and stone milling at forty grams an hour. |
| What can go wrong after purchase | Brewing it too hot, which destroys the character entirely. | Storing it open, since matcha dulls within weeks of opening. |
| Perishability | Months. | Weeks once opened. |
| What to check when buying | Harvest year, and whether the seller states the shading period. | Colour, harvest date, and whether it was shaded at all. |
The short answer
Matcha is the more expensive mistake because it perishes faster and is more often mis-sold. Buy small quantities of it and larger ones of gyokuro.
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