Kimberley's Kyusu

In previous years I have had the chance to try a handful of gaba oolongs, however all of those oolongs have been from Taiwan. So when I came across this Japanese gaba oolong from Kanes tea on the Yunomi Website, I knew I had to try it and see how it compared to the Taiwanese oolongs I have previously tried and discover whether or not the different proprietary process Kanes tea used to achieve the high level of gaba within this tea would have any impact on the way that gaba usually effect me. 

Working closely with their partner farm in Shizuoka, Kanes Tea have been able to achieve a very high level of GABA in this oolong. If you are not familiar, GABA, or more specifically “ϒ-Aminobutyric Acid”, is a component in tea created when the leaf is incubated in nitrogen gas (an oxygen free or anaerobic environment). This process is sometimes referred to as “fermentation”, but the specific process of creating the tea depends on the producer. For example, Kanes Tea is not fermenting the leaves but wilting the leaves in a proprietary process that helps them to create the extra high level of GABA that this tea has. 

Region: Shizuoka Prefecture

Harvest: Spring 2023

Test results: GABA: 520 mg/100g, Theanine: 2100 mg/100g, Catechin: 5.9g/100g, Caffeine: 2.7g/100g

Tasting Notes 

The dry leaves of this tea are leathery in texture, and in colour they are a mixed palette of brown & light black, with touches of matte grey throughout. The aroma of the dry leaves is not strong, it is earth, herbal, woody and mildly sweet. While there are no new notes added to the aroma profile with the addition of water, the notes that were already present are amplified.

Throughout the session, the liquor resembled a forest floor full of crunchy autumn leaves at the peak of autumn during sunset, with orange, brown, auburn & amber. It starts darker, with the first steep having more of a brown hue, however the second steep is much more orange with the brown becoming more of an earthy undertone, and the final steeps taking on much more of a golden hue.   

The flavour profile is surprisingly herbal, with notes of baked artichoke, dried fruits & flowers which, when combined, reminded me a lot of the way the dried fruit / herb / spices aisle of an Asian supermarket smells. Other notes included tempura aubergine, garibaldi biscuits, winter spiced shortbread, dark woods, the smoke of cedar / sandalwood incense & steamed chocolate sponge cake.

In texture, it is brilliantly smooth & silky & has both minerality and a slight floral bite which results in some of the longer steeps leaving behind dryness. However as the steeps get lighter, it becomes refreshing and sweeter, lacking any of that floral bite and aforementioned dryness. The finish is long lasting, with notes of oat milk infused with dried rose buds, winter spiced shortbread, earthiness and rocky minerality. 

The empty cup carries with it aromas of winter spiced shortbread, dark woods, cedar / sandalwood incense & steamed chocolate sponge cake, that were present within the flavour profile, further amplifying the comforting nature of this tea. 

The Effects

Firstly I want to talk about the effects of the GABA that I could feel on my mind and body after drinking this tea. After the first two steeps I was able to feel a sense of calm and relaxation begin to wash over me, and as the steeps progressed I started to feel slightly woozy. My muscles relaxed & relieved some tension, and by the end of the session (and for a little while after), my mind was somewhat quieter than usual. As someone who is neurodivergent, a quieter mind even just for a little while is something I was incredibly thankful for. 

Secondly, I want to discuss whether or not the effects I was able to feel in my mind and body after drinking this tea were noticeably different than the effects that the other GABA oolongs I have tried, given the difference in technique / processing & the difference in terroir.

I’ll be honest, there were very minimal changes between the two when it came to the effect of the GABA; the most notable change was undoubtedly the length of time that the effects lasted, with the effect of the other GABA oolongs I have had, lasting much longer than this one did, with each of the sessions I did with them ending in some of the best naps I’ve ever had.

However that does not mean that I think the effects of the GABA within this tea fell flat, if in fact it was the complete opposite, it just would have been nice to have them stick around for a little bit longer. While the differences in terroir and cultivar all had an effect on the aroma, taste, texture & finish of each different tea, I do not believe that any of them impacted the effect of the GABA, however I do think the differences in techniques & processing between the two did. 

In conclusion 

I thoroughly enjoyed this tea, and would have loved the entire experience it provides whether or not it was a tea with a high level of GABA, although the fact that it is and that I was able to feel the effects that it had on my mind and body is such an added bonus and really does elevate the overall experience of the tea.

Japanese oolongs can be particularly hard to find so I always look forward to trying new ones as they are all so different from each other & such a completely different experience compared to oolong from China & Taiwan. There were some really unique notes throughout the flavour and aroma profile of this tea that I had never experienced in any other Japanese oolongs before, so I know I’ll be stocking up on this oolong time & time again. The flavour and aroma profile are perfect for the autumn & winter and when combined with the calming effects of the gaba make it the perfect choice to wind down the day with and aid in the transition into a cozy evening. 

Should you want to try this oolong for yourself you can find it on the Yunomi Website. Use code INFKKYU FOR 1000 Yen off of an order of 5000 Yen or more, and be sure to let me know your thoughts on this tea once you have had the chance to try it. 

Until next time, Happy Steeping – Kimberley