If you regularly read our articles and watch our videos, you will have noticed that we are not big advocates of pre-workout stimulants. And even outside of training, we limit their use considerably. For me specifically, the last big change was cutting back on my beloved coffee and switching to green tea.
But most of all, I fell in love with Gyokuro, which I accidentally stumbled upon while watching Peter Ludwig's podcast. Is its effect comparable to coffee? How does it taste? Does it improve productivity? Find out that and much more in today's review.
Content of the review
At the outset, it remains to point out that I have tried the Gyokuro in several price categories, so in today's review you will also find out which one I personally prefer.
What is the Gyokuro anyway and what makes it different?
So that you don't get the feeling right from the start of the review that the Gyokuro is just an overpriced green tea, we should note at least the basic differences from the classic tea. First of all, it is the way of cultivation, because the Gyokuro plantations are covered with reeds and straw for at least two weeks before harvesting, whose This increases the chlorophyll content and reduces the amount of tannins, which is reflected above all in the flavour, which is less bitter. The bushes are relatively depleted by this process, which results in harvesting being possible only once a year, which the second reason and part of the answer to why the price of such tea is so high.
And how is it different from other teas? First of all, the high caffeine content, without which most of us can hardly imagine our lives. But if it contained only caffeine, coffee would be a much cheaper option. In addition, Gyokuro contains 3 times more L-theanine than other green teas, which can induce a feeling of relaxation in the brain and delay any fatigue. But at the same time, it is an amino acid, not a stimulant that would fundamentally interfere with the quality of sleep, for example. On the contrary, according to some information, it increases the activity of alpha waves, thus even aiding sleep.
How is Gyokuro prepared?
As I outlined in the introduction, I've currently swapped green tea for coffee, so I've alreadythe same time as coffee - for example, it is justified by thewell, because it not only cheers you up, but at the same time, while enjoying the Gyokuro, you come across other You can also try it before your workout. For me personally, it is a form of pre-workout meditation, because I set aside time in even the most demanding program to mentally prepare for the workout.I also drink hot tea, which is a very good preparation for me personally, especially in winter evenings, to perform at my best.
And how to prepare Gyokuro properly? It is definitely necessary to use water at a temperature below 80°C, otherwise you will destroy not only the taste but also the health benefits of green tea. I recommend infusing the tea for at least 5 minutes at a temperature of 50-60°C to develop the flavour as much as possible.
An indescribable taste you must experience!
A fifth flavour, known as umami, has even been invented for Gyokuro, so it is very difficult to approximate the sensations associated with drinking this green tea. However, compared to the ordinary green tea you probably buy in any supermarket, it is completely different.
Its taste is much more intense, it does not have any extreme bitterness and overall it is a taste experience. The colour of the leached tea is light green and its aroma is quite intense, but mostly at first infusion. You can also do second and third infusions, but these are already weaker in terms of taste.
What effects can you look forward to? Do you notice anything significant?
If I had to sum up the effect of Gyokuro tea in the most concise sentence, I would probably say thatthat it provides long-lasting stimulation, but it is not extremely strong or extremely intense. If you've read our article on stimulant-free pre-workout supplements, then you've surely noticed that we devoted a special paragraph to the short-term effect of most stimulants. And this is something I would like to highlight with Gyokuro tea, because after drinking it I feel a slight stimulation for up to several hours, which was definitely not the case with coffee.
Of course, Gyokuro cannot be compared in terms of the strength of the effect with, say, the amount of stimulants in some strong pre-workoutsbut it is definitely sufficient and if you are looking for a light boost to start your day, it is the best possible choice.
Some varieties cost up to per serving
Since Gyokuro is a really special and effective kind of green tea, it is reflected in the price accordingly. I myself have tried several different variants, but the best for me is definitely the regular version, which I buy for example at ManuTea. It costs about per 100g, which is equivalent to per serving.
Some Gyokura are of course much more expensive, their taste is more intense and the effect is a bit stronger, but paying for one serving is of course unimaginable. For this reason, I think that in terms of price/quality ratio, the cheaper ones are richly sufficient.
Final assessment
Gyokuro is definitely not a miracle tea that will give you an unrelenting rush ofenergy surges and multiple increases in strength and endurance during your workouts. But it can be very pleasantly stimulating at work, for example, and you will be more productive and you won't feel tired for the next few hours, which is obviously a great benefit. And the fact that you will enjoy Gyokur is just the icing on the cake.
Other expert reviews
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