Kukicha

Tea: Kukicha (green tea) Grower: The Kinezuka Family Teamaker: Ayumi Kinezuka Origin: Nakayama Village in Fujieda: Shizuoka, Japan Elevation: 350m (1150ft) Cultivation: Natural (Organic, but no certification) Harvest Date: Spring 2018 • • • The Tea Kukicha, literally "stem tea", is made from the stems of green tea leaves. This particular version is made with flavorful first flush leaves, with the stems carefully separated during the production process. The tea is crafted from the popular Yabukita cultivar. The resulting tea is made completely of small but whole stems, producing a brilliantly bright green appearance and a bright, rich aroma. The flavor is sweet and grassy with fresh citrus notes and a hint of seaweed, with very little bitterness and a very refreshing aftertaste. The Grower The Kinezuka Family has been growing tea with all-natural methods for almost 40 years. Their farm and business, NaturaliTea, is headed by the father, Toshiaki Kinezuka. He is regarded as a pioneer in