Meiryoku, is another one of those truly remarkable pan-fired Japanese oolongs that comes from a forward-looking organic grower that we strongly admire in Gokase Town, Miyazaki Prefecture. We at Yuuki-Cha express great gratitude to him for continuing to plug away at these wonderful innovative rare Japanese teas!
This excellent oolong tea that he has made this year, in very limited amounts, is from the Meiryoku cultivar which was registered in 1986 and is a cross between Yabukita and Yamatomidori. It is a cultivar that is earmarked as having excellent taste, liquor color, and aroma.
Regarding production, the grower uses a method that he has developed over a number of years by himself. First, he withers the tea leaves in order to reduce the moisture content and to soften them to a level which is suitable for rolling. In addition, the withering is also where the delicate aromas start to develop, so in order to hold/maintain these delicate withering aromas he applied a light pan-firing to the leaves. After the pan-firing the leaves are then rolled into their beautiful kamairi-style curly leaf appearance, and then oxidized. Both of these steps ultimately help develop the flavors and aromas of the tea. Finally, the leaves are dried in order to stop the oxidization and to reduce the moisture to the correct content that is suitable for storing.
The final product reveals whole leaves of an incredible silvering color of high-end quality that let off a beautiful yet delicate flowery fragrance. The tea when brewed gives an initial mouthfeel that is a tantalizing combination of smooth, refreshing, and rich flavors followed by the most wonderful delicate fragrant taste that lingers in the mouth!
On a final note, it's worthy of knowing that there is no excessive sorting, no grading of the leaves, and absolutely no unnatural means of withering or oxidizing the leaves at all. The leaves are present in their complete natural organic finished state! Therefore, the quality of the grower's work can be fully appreciated and understood!
Meiryoku is an organic Japanese oolong tea certainly not to be missed!
| Origin | Gokase Town, Miyazaki, Kyushu, Japan |
| Harvest Date | Late May 2011 |
| Organic Certification(s) | JAS |
| Roast | Light |
| Cultivar(s) | 100% Meiryoku |
| NET Weight | 30g (1.01oz) |
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