Gyokuro Karigane 2025 No.332

Karigane (雁ヶ音), also known as Shiraore (白折), is a Japanese green tea that contains both leaves and leaf stems. This interesting composition gives it a very unique taste. Karigane is often confused with Kukicha (茎茶), although there is a significant difference between the two. While Kukicha (see also Bōcha, 棒茶) is made from the cultivars for Sencha, Karigane is traditionally made from cultivars for Gyokuro (玉露), and shaded before harvest.

Our Japanese tea comes from Uji, Japan's esteemed tea producing region. Yoshida Masahiro and his family have been tending and cultivating the family tea garden for 16 generations, nearly 500 years. They are also the caretakers of the oldest tea garden in Japan, which is a great honour. Japanese teas have such a distinct flavour profile, with green, fresh, lively notes, that they have become an instant favourite. We are very fortunate to be able to drink the teas of a tea garden with such an exceptional tradition.

Steamed fragrance: both green and floral notes.
The first infusion is made at 60°C with a 6-minute steeping time. The colour of the brew is bright, neon green. The flavour has complex green, creamy, spinach notes. It gives a refreshing drink, with a slight bitterness turning sweet and a fairly long finish. Second and third infusions at 80 degrees for 45 seconds, bring flavours of tender broccoli, green beans and parsley, with floral notes. Three beautiful infusions.

Cooler brewing method
150ml / 5g

The first infusion is steeped at room temperature for 14 minutes. The result is a delicate, syrupy, sweet and full-bodied brew with strong green vegetal notes. The second infusion, at 55°C for 2 minutes, and the third infusion for 3 minutes, resulting in a more gentle but still delicious drink. This method is recommended for those who want to get to know the character of the tea in more depth. The only drawback is that it has a rather cooling effect, so it is less recommended in winter, but it can be a perfect choice in summer.

A warmer balanced brewing method
150ml / 5g

The first infusion steeped at 60°C for 6 minutes, results in a very delicious, pleasantly warm brew. The drink has a syrupy consistency, similar to the first infusion of the cooler method, but in a less intense form. This temperature and time gives a good overview of the tea.

Classic brewing method
150ml / 5g

First infusion at 80°C for 45 seconds, resulting in a deliciously sweet and vegetal tea. The second infusion is made with the same parameters and has an almost identical flavour profile to the first. The third and fourth infusions are made at 80°C with a 1-minute steeping time, which still gives a pleasant and delicate taste.

Quantity: 6 grams for 180ml of water
Water temperature: 60ºC. Preferably fresh spring water, mineral water or filtered water
Infusion time: 60 seconds / 80ºC 45-45 seconds
Number of infusions: 3-4

Versatile brewing suit this tea, it's a great opportunity to experiment and play. Explore the different ways in the tasting notes!