Green Tea Forum

spacesamurai · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 204

Forgive me if this question has been asked before, but is there really a difference between kukicha and karigane, I've never been sure. Is it just a difference in names? I know karigane translates to wild goose or something, while kukicha is a much more literal 'twig tea.'

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 904 Location: Japan

Karigane uses gyokuro stems, while kukicha uses sencha stems. The term "karigane" comes from the stems similarity of geese floating on water.

The Uji Sencha Otsuusan we sell from Tsuen is a blend of sencha and gyokuro stems, which differentiates it from typical kukicha. It's the most popular tea sold by Tsuen. The Uji Karigane Gyokuro "Asa-Giri"we sell is a gyokuro leaf and gyokuro stem blend.

We actually do not carry a kukicha here.

If you go to Uji, you will encounter a lot of these blends with gyokuro stems in them, they seem to really go for that down there I notice. I also like them quite a bit - you need to use a lot of leaf to get the full characteristics of it. The Otsuusan makes one really good infusion and that's about it so you may as well use a lot of leaf. The Asa-giri is brewed exactly as per gyokuro, but you get a few more infusions with it. My experience with gyokuro stem blends is that you get a really wonderful first cup, perhaps better than other teas, but you won't be able to milk it like you would with say, fukamushi supreme or hatsumi.

Martin · Posted: May 20, 2008 9:32 pm Post subject:

How about the shincha version of otsuusan? does this exist?

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 904 Location: Japan

They'll be a version using 2008 leaves, but it won't be a shincha version.

Chip · Posted: May 21, 2008 3:28 am Post subject:

In reading a lot about "twigs" I have noticed a "pattern." Not a rule, but a pattern. I see vendors of strictly Uji teas refering to their twig teas as Karigane whether it is gyokuro or sencha stems and veins...denoting a higher grade or class than kukicha.

Going to Shizuoka, they seem to be more down to earth and more commonly call their twig teas Kukicha.

Almost seems like a little TeaSnobbery going on in Uji. I have found this to be a little humorous.

spacesamurai · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 204

Chip, I've noticed the same thing, hence, I guess, my confusion.

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 904 Location: Japan

karigane = gyokuro stems
kukicha = not gyokuro stems

Doesn't get simpler than that...

If a tea of ours says "karigane", at least in our case, it means it actually has gyokuro stems in it and not sencha stems. Since there is quite a dramatic taste difference between gyokuro leaf and a sencha leaf, I don't think it would be a stretch to say that the stems might also taste different.