Kukicha is a stem tea made from the stems and leaves of the tea plant. In this case, the stem tea comes from Mr. Sakamoto's tea plants, normally set aside to produce some of the finest organic Gyokuro in Southern Japan. The tea is low in caffeine compared to leaf teas, even lower than the Karigane. The organic fertilizer Mr. Sakamoto uses on his farm greatly enhances the levels of umami and sweetness in the tea, making them quite flavorful.
The flavor is beautifully umami, similar to that of the Cha Musume. The stems of the tea render it smoother and sweeter, making it a nice gentle tea to enjoy later in the day. The stems also add a nice mineral tingling feeling to the tea. The added hay flavor towards the end enhances the flavor of the tea. This is a great tea to begin exploring the world of Japanese green tea. There is a sweet umami flavor that is comparable to that of more premium teas.
What You'll Get
🍃 JAS Organic Green Tea
🍃 Calming, Relaxing Theanine
🍃 Lower Caffeine Content
🍃 Higher in Minerals
🍃 Naturally Gluten Free and Vegan
🍃 Complex Flavor Profiles
What it Tastes Like
🍵 Fruity and Floral Notes
🍵 Light Sweetness
🍵 Late Summer Grass or Hay Notes
🍵 Smooth Finish
How Much Tea Does it Make?
This packet contains 150 grams of tea, enough to make 30 pots or 90 cups
Meet the Farmer
This tea comes to us from the farmer Mr. Sakamoto, a talented organic tea farmer in Kagoshima. Mr. Sakamoto has been working in the family tea business since he was a little boy and when it was his turn to finally take it over, he decided to take the farm completely organic. He began producing his own organic fertilizer out of sedimentary rock and composted soybeans.
About the Farm
This tea is grown in Kagoshima Japan on the small farm of the Sakamoto family. Because Mr. Sakamoto specializes in Gyokuro, he shades the tea plants for 3 weeks prior to the harvest, in order to boost the levels of theanine, caffeine and chlorophyll. This also creates a sweeter and more savory flavor in the tea. The soil on the farm of Mr. Sakamoto is incredibly soft, due to the diversity of flora and fauna on the field which loosens up the soil. This soft soil allows the roots to penetrate deeper into the ground and absorb more nutrients.
How to Brew it
Add 5 grams of leaves to the teapot or strainer and then pour in 150ml to 200ml of water (140 degrees Fahrenheit) and let the tea brew for 1 minute. You can brew the leaves 2-3 more times with the same temperature for 20 seconds each
Very Popular as a Gift
Our fans like to give away our teas on birthdays, weddings and other special days! Our samplers are highly recommended as gifts!
Always Pesticide Free
We make sure to only source teas from reputable farmers that grow tea without the use of conventional pesticides or chemicals. We meet with the farmers in person and tour the fields and facilities. We look at the sustainability of the field, the attention to detail and quality control of the facility and of course the taste of the tea.
