Kalamazoo Karigane

Kalamazoo Karigane is a Michigan themed Kukicha, or "twig" tea made from Japanese Gyokuro. It consists primarily of stems, but also includes some leaf material.

This tea was produced by a family owned tea company founded in 1869. Owned and run by the same family for five generations, this tea factory is located near the Nissaka area of Shizouka, not far from Mt. Fuji. In Japan, the tea is named for the shape of the stem, which is similar to a stick that a bird would rest on. “Kari” means “wild goose”.

The factors that make Kalamazoo Karigane special and unique are two fold, the level of Theanine (amino-acids) in the twigs and stems is higher than in the leaves and the level of Catechins (the astringency agent) is lower. The result is a balanced green tea with a robust unami taste, subtle sweetness, and low astringency. This gorgeous, emerald-green tea brews up sweet, fresh, and delicious!