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Japanese Karigane Loose Leaf Green Tea

Regular price Β£41.99
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84p per cup

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This beautifully balanced Japanese loose leaf green tea is made from the leaves and stem of the highest grade gyokuro. Sourced from the small but legendary organic farm of the Sakamoto family.

Karigane translates as 'Wild Goose' - supposedly because the pale colour of the stems against the green leaf look like wild geese sitting in the branches of trees.

It is also known as stem tea, kukicha or twig tea.

Beautifully balanced green tea that opens with notes of sweet garden peas before rounding out to deep umami richness. A smooth, buttery mouthfeel with very low bitterness or astringency.

84p per cup based on 3g of tea per 150ml of water and 3 infusions.

Sakamoto tea garden, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan

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Kukicha or "twig tea"

Karigane is the most ethereal version of Japanese stem tea, also known as kukicha or twig tea. Kukicha is usually made with sencha green tea. Karigane, however, is another level altogether; made with the highest grade and most delicious of all Japanese green teas - gyokuro.

Along with the precious leaf are incorporated the tender stems, softening the flavour and lowering the astringency of the infused tea. If you would like a gentle version of gyokuro this is your tea.

L-theanine

The leaf is shaded for around 20 days before harvesting, which lowers the bitter properties and increases the sweetness and umami notes. The stem and leaf veins, which are incorporated into this lovely tea, also contain higher levels of L-theanine - a naturally occurring, but rare, amino acid reported to improve mood and brain function whilst lowering blood pressure.


https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18296328
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6836118

Sakamoto Tea Garden is a 3rd generation farm run by the two Sakamoto brothers. They moved to fully organic farming thirty years ago, realising that the soil and the tea plants were being ruined by pesticides & herbicides. They believe as we do that "healthy soil creates healthy plants and better tea".

They focus their attention on the soil as much as the intricate crafting of the leaf. You can taste the love and care they take in every aspect of their Karigane tea.

The brothers focus intensely on soil health as the key to growing healthy tea plants and making the most delicious tea. They create their own nutrient rich soil mix with natural fertilisers and carefully nestle each new tea plant in 2 metres deep. This allows for the tea plant's roots to fully develop in the soil mix.

Only harvesting once a year, the leaves that are pruned from the plant throughout the remainder of the year are used to make an organic fertiliser, and returned to the soil, helping maintain the mineral aroma of the tea leaves.

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Filter Reviews:
JP
24 June 2024
Justin P.
United States

Amazing!

Powerful Cha Qi, that evokes Cha Zui! This is hands down my new favorite green tea by a mile! This is my new go to tea for special occasions and relaxation! I will 100% be keeping this one hand and reordering. If you like green tea and the Cha Zui feeling then this is your tea! Tasting notes are spot on. Infused in gaiwan 30 seconds at 158 degrees. Second infusion increased to 45 seconds. Third infusion increased to 60 seconds.

J
15 March 2024
Janina
United States

Like meeting an old friend again.

Recently bought this lovely karigane tea. When I opened the pouch, the aroma brought back memories of enjoying kukicha tea in the quiet early morning before a busy day. Happy that Rare Tea Company has one of my old favorites and will order again.

MR
28 October 2023
Martin R.
United Kingdom United Kingdom

Lovely green tea

This is a really lovely green tea which has a sweet umami taste - it is very smooth and fresh.

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The Rare Tea Lady believes that our teas are some of the greatest in the world, and that our range and service are second to none.

In the isolated case that you are not completely satisfied with any tea or teaware you purchase from our website, please get in contact with our customer services team to discuss returning your order.*

In most instances we will give you a full refund of the item’s cost excluding postage. We may ask you to return the item to us. Customers in the European Union have a statutory cooling-off period of fourteen days that is not affected by this guarantee, but any tea pouches much remained sealed for this to be in effect.

*We only accept returns/refunds for tea within two months of receipt, because it is impossible for us to know if the tea has been stored correctly.