What factor often becomes a more significant determinant of peak L-theanine concentration than the tea type name alone?
Answer
The degree of shading applied to the bushes
Although Gyokuro is known for high L-theanine content compared to Sencha, the text emphasizes that the absolute *degree* of shading is the most critical variable influencing peak L-theanine concentration. A mid-grade Gyokuro might still have a higher L-theanine profile than a top-grade Sencha, but the difference between a top-grade Gyokuro and a mid-grade Gyokuro—where shading intensity varies—can be more pronounced than the difference between tea categories themselves. This suggests that precisely controlling the duration and intensity of light restriction directly dictates the final concentration of the savory amino acid.
Related Questions
Which tea frequently stands as the highest commercially available grade of steamed green tea?What cultivation technique signals a tea's ascension to the highest echelons of Japanese tea production?What two chemical compounds increase significantly in leaves due to pre-harvest shading, enhancing umami and color?What key physical markers define a batch labeled as 'Superior Grade Gyokuro'?How does the standard growing condition for Sencha contrast with that required for Gyokuro production?What term describes the specialized processing method of Kabusecha, positioning it between Sencha and Gyokuro?What factor often becomes a more significant determinant of peak L-theanine concentration than the tea type name alone?What concept, beyond standardized grades, is often considered the true measure of a tea's ultimate grade by connoisseurs?Which tea variety is explicitly noted as an extremely high quality product requiring intensive shading, primarily as the precursor leaf for Matcha?What might cause a consumer seeking peak expression to choose a high-quality Fukamushi Sencha over an entry-level Gyokuro?