Japan Shizuoka Gabalong – Organic Green Tea

Brew & Taste

The infusion, beautifully golden with a plethora of green sparks, has a full and rich flavor with a pleasant sweetness and the legendary umami. The name for this fifth flavor comes from the Japanese word for something delicate and delicious.

Origins

Gabalong, Gabaron or simply GABA tea. Under all these names you will find a tea that is in one word: unique. It grows in the beautiful surroundings of Shizuoka Prefecture on the island of Honshu. In addition to its natural beauty, picturesque bays and the breathtaking view of the country's highest mountain, Mount Fuji, the so-called Japanese Riviera hides ideal conditions for growing tea.

The Yabukita tea cultivar, which is typical of this location, not only successfully withstands the cold weather, but also gives growers leaves of fresh color and first-class quality. However, what makes gabalong a very special tea is the way it is processed. After manual harvesting, the tea is fermented for several hours using nitrogen. The leaves are then placed in bags for approximately 14 hours before undergoing a gentle steaming process, as is common with other Japanese green teas.

This unusual use of nitrogen is the result of an essentially accidental scientific discovery by Professor Tojiro Tsushida, who in 1984 was looking for a way to keep the tea fresher for longer. The use of nitrogen, however, led to the unexpected discovery that the concentration of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) rose sharply in the treated leaves. Its positive effect on the human body was undisputed thanks to many studies, which gave Gabalong the status of a health tea in Japan.

Japan Shiozuka Gabalong, however, thanks to its unconventional fermentation, has also acquired very specific character qualities, especially an appealing floral-herbal aroma, a sweet taste with subtle buttery undertones and an irresistible umami experience in the first infusion. The leaves retain their deep green color and irregular shape. Enjoy a cup of tea that will bring you a unique experience full of positives thanks to an unusual combination of science and traditional craft

Tea packaging preview

We pack our teas in a strong, zip-lock aluminum packet which allows you to easily re-seal its contents. This container protects the quality of the tea against humidity, light or foreign odors, all of which could noticeably affect the quality of the brew.