The l theanine in gyokuro is the secret weapon of tea drinkers around the world. If you want to get the same level of energy as coffee but without the crash or jitters, youâre going to want to read this article.
Weâre going to discuss the benefits of l theanine, where it comes from and compare the gyokuro theanine content compared to other teas.Â
Letâs get started!
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What is gyokuro l theanine?
The gyokuro l theanine is what makes the tea so revered, but what is it exactly?
L-theanine is the amino acid found in green tea and virtually no other plant species and it is particularly high in gyokuro, considered to be the most revered green tea in all of Japan.
Itâs what contributes the sweet and umami flavor to green tea, and it is thought to induce a calming effect on the brain, reducing a lot of the side effects normally associated with caffeine.
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Where does gyokuro theanine come from?
The gyokuro l theanine is a result of the teas long shading process. To be considered gyokuro, the gyokuro plants need to be cut off from sunlight for 3 weeks or more prior to the harvest. This shading impacts the flavor, color and nutrient profile of the tea, making gyokuro truly unique.
Reducing the bitterness
When the tea plant is exposed to sunlight, it begins to convert theanine into catechins, the bitter components within tea. The reason the gyokuro l-theanine content is so high is because the sunlight is cut off, allowing the plant to reduce the amount of bitter catechins and increase the sweet and savory theanine.
Altering the nutrient profile
The shading process not only changes the taste of the gyokuro, but also the nutrient profile. The gyokuro l theanine content is raised, but so is the content of caffeine and chlorophyl. This means gyokuro has a completely different nutritional profile compared to an unshaded tea like sencha for example.
Changing the color
In addition to raising the gyokuro l theanine content, the shading also increases the content of chlorophyll as the plant needs to compensate for the lack of sun energy. This is why the leaves are so much darker than a normal Japanese green tea.
If you are picking out a gyokuro, make sure you go for one that has these dark, needles shaped leaves.
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Benefits of gyokuro l theanine
There are many benefits of gyokuro tea, and it helps explain why this tea is able to command such a high price.
 Letâs briefly cover some of the more important ones.
Flavor
The main benefit of the gyokuro theanine is the sweet and umami flavor it produces. This is what the farmers are really after when they shade the tea plants. This âumamiâ flavor is unusual in the world of tea, and it actually makes the tea have more soup-like characteristics, with sweet, brothy, salty and seaweedy flavors all coming from the tea leaves.
Focus
Another side benefit of the theanine in gyokuro is the focused energy it gives you. Gyokuro can contain as much caffeine as coffee, with 120-140mg of caffeine per serving but you wonât experience nearly the same effect.
The gyokuro l theanine is thought to slow the absorption of caffeine, leading to a longer lasting âcalm alertâ energy throughout the day, without the crash or jitters associated with coffee. Gyokuro drinkers find the tea perfect for long periods of work and study.
Calming effect
In addition to reducing the negative side effects of caffeine, the gyokuro theanine is also thought to induce a calming effect on the brain. It is even believed to stimulate alpha brainwave activity, the same brainwaves stimulated during meditation.Â
This helps you get into a more relaxed state and creative flow, which can be far more productive than the anxious state you get from most other high-caffeine drinks.
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L-theanine Content Compared to Other Teas
The gyokuro theanine content is clearly the highest in the world of tea, reaching between 250â450 mg.
This is one of the key reasons why gyokuro has such a smooth, savory, and relaxing taste profile. Right below it, we find matcha with 240â320 mg, which also benefits from long shading times, but after that the levels drop significantly.
Other Japanese teas such as sencha contain around 60â100 mg of L-theanine, while international varieties like Darjeeling green tea average 30â60 mg. At the lower end of the spectrum, Assam black tea has about 20â30 mg, and common tea bags (not a gyokuro tea bag) often contain as little as 10â20 mg.
What this shows is that shading and careful cultivation are essential to boosting amino acids like L-theanine. Without shading, teas simply canât reach the rich umami and calming effects found in gyokuro. This makes gyokuro not only the most unique Japanese green tea, but also the most powerful source of L-theanine you can find.
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How to extract the gyokuro l theanine
If you are interested in the health benefits of gyokuro tea l theanine, you are in luck because itâs very easy to extract. Unlike the catechins in green tea, l theanine can be extracted at a lower temperature.Â
Because gyokuro is meant to be a celebration of these sweet and savory flavors, it is typically prepared with 140°F/60°C water.
 This extracts the sweet and savory theanine, without extracting too much of the bitter catechins.
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Final thoughts on the jade dewâs l theanine
If youâre interested in the sweet and savory flavor and plethora of health benefits from gyokuro theanine, youâre really going to want to start preparing your own at home. If you find a good gyokuro, you may even be able to use it to replace coffee for a smoother more balanced energy.
After traveling around Japan and tasting dozens of gyokuro teas, weâve found the best ones are produced by Mr. Sakamoto, a talented farmer in Southern Japan. He works hard to produce tea without the use of pesticides or chemicals and it is evident in every cup of his famous gyokuro tea. To try it for yourself, you can browse our selection and pick some up!
