Kukicha
Kukicha
| Latin name | Camellia sinensis var. sinensis |
|---|---|
| Family | Tea & infusions |
| Origin | Japan, from the tea sorting table |
| Season (France) | All year |
| Flavour | Nutty · Creamy · Mild |
| Typical price (France) | 40–80 €/kg |
What it is
Kukicha is what the sorting machines pull aside: stems and leaf ribs separated from the blade when sencha or gyokuro is graded. Caffeine concentrates in the young buds and barely reaches the stalks, so a tea made from the offcuts brews mild enough for a child and round enough to take milk.
In the kitchen
Stems need heat the blade cannot take: 80 °C and two full minutes, otherwise the cup comes out thin and tastes of nothing. Karigane — the same cut taken off gyokuro bushes — is the version worth the extra money.
Goes with
Rice Chestnut Honey White chocolate Hazelnut Pear
Same species
Assam tea Ceylon tea Da Hong Pao Darjeeling tea Earl Grey Genmaicha
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