G-JP-028
Kukicha (Karigane)
雁ヶ音
Shaded stem green, from Kyoto, Japan.
Green tea
Kukicha (Karigane) is strongest on sweetness, umami and smoothness. Typical tasting words: steamed greens, sweet pea, bamboo, nori, broth. Originating in Kyoto, Karigane denotes kukicha sorted specifically from shaded Gyokuro or high-grade Sencha production. A popular daily tea in Kansai, valued for its natural sweetness and low bitterness at a modest price.
Also known as Karigane, Shiraore, Stem tea and Gyokuro kukicha.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Kyoto, Japan
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Yabukita, Gokou, or Samidori
- Harvest
- Spring first flush
- Elevation
- low
- Oxidation
- 0 to 2%
- Roast
- unroasted
- Leaf
- broken
- Price band
- affordable
- Availability
- common
- Ageing
- not for ageing
- Forgiving to brew
- 4 of 5
- L-theanine
- high
Made by: shading, then harvesting, then steaming, then drying, then sorting stems.
Caffeine
A cup of Kukicha (Karigane) carries a typical estimate of 18 mg of caffeine, within a range of 10 to 25 mg depending on leaf amount, water temperature and steeping time. Figures are estimates for a 240 ml cup. Better earlier in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine. The caffeine planner turns this into a daily total.
How to brew it
| Method | Leaf | Water | Steeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western, 250 ml | 3 g | 70 to 80 °C | 60 s, 45 s, 90 s |
| Gongfu, 100 ml | 4 g | 70 to 80 °C | 30 s, 20 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s |
| Cold brew, 250 ml | 3 g | Fridge | 2 to 6 hours |
Up to 5 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.
Drinking it
- morning
- afternoon
- evening
- relaxing
- after_meal
- midday
Pairs with sushi, seafood and salads. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
- G-JP-032Tencha
shares sweetness and umami - G-JP-023Kabusecha
shares sweetness and umami - G-JP-022Gyokuro
shares sweetness and umami - G-KR-040Boseong Green Tea (Ujeon)
shares sweetness and umami - G-JP-020Fukamushi Sencha
shares smoothness and vegetal - G-CN-013Enshi Yulu
shares umami and smoothness
More: all green tea teas, teas from Kyoto, Japan, or filter the whole drawer.