Gyokuro Karigane Stem Tea
Sweet, nutty and gently creamy: the stems of gyokuro, brewed into a quiet, cucumber-green cup.
Karigane is the tea made from the stems of gyokuro, the shade-grown green tea. The stems keep some of gyokuro's sweetness and umami in a lighter, nuttier cup of cucumber, fresh stem and a touch of melon. Brewed in a kyusu at 75°C.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 52 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 21.7 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
| Brewing method | Kyusu Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:83 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 240g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf |
| Water temperature | 167°F / 75°C |
| Target brew time | 0:45-1:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g kukicha, the stems and twigs of green tea
- 240 g filtered water at 75°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 2.9 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 240 g of water at 75°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 1:13Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
Caffeine, in numbers
We list about 52 mg for an 8 oz cup. A typical 8 oz cup of green tea has about 28 mg. Shading raises the caffeine in the leaf, so shaded teas usually run higher, and the figure moves with how much leaf you use, the water temperature and how long you steep.
Steep it again
Stem tea gives up its flavor gently, so it takes a second and third infusion well. Use the same temperature and add a few seconds to each steep.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
Karigane is the tea made from the stems of gyokuro, the shade-grown green tea. The stems keep some of gyokuro's sweetness and umami in a lighter, nuttier cup of cucumber, fresh stem and a touch of melon. Brewed in a kyusu at 75°C.
Origin & Story
When gyokuro leaf is picked and processed, the stems and stalks are sorted out from the leaf. Kukicha is the name for tea made from stems and twigs, and when they come from gyokuro it has a name of its own: karigane. Karigane from Kyushu is called shiraore.
Kukicha has a mildly nutty, slightly creamy sweet flavor, and stems from a shade-grown tea add a calm umami and a hint of cucumber. Karigane is a lighter, gentler drink than gyokuro, without its intensity.
The sweetness has an explanation. Gyokuro bushes are covered for about 20 to 30 days before harvest, which raises the savory amino acids in the plant and lowers its bitterness. Karigane shares some of that sweetness, even though it is only the stem.
It is much easier to brew than gyokuro. Kukicha is usually steeped in water between 70 and 80°C, and green kinds like this one need less than a minute, though three or four infusions from the same leaf are common. Oversteeping makes it bitter.
This version uses about 3 g of karigane in a kyusu with 240 ml of water at 75°C. Steep for 45 to 60 seconds, pour out every drop, and brew again with a few more seconds.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 82/100 |
| Acidity | 18/100 |
| Bitterness | 24/100 |
| Body | 72/100 |
| Aroma | 94/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Gyokuro Karigane Stem Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 52 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Gyokuro Karigane Stem Tea?
Target 75°C (167°F).
How long should Gyokuro Karigane Stem Tea be extracted?
Timing: 0:45-1:00. Method: Kyusu Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf.
What is karigane?
Karigane is kukicha, or stem tea, made from the stems of gyokuro, the shade-grown green tea. Stem tea from other teas is simply called kukicha.
Does karigane taste like gyokuro?
A little. It has some of gyokuro's sweetness and umami, but it is lighter and gentler, with a mildly nutty, slightly creamy flavor.
Who should avoid Gyokuro Karigane Stem Tea?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
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