Kukicha

[tenuki]

I had a very pleasant experience at a local tea shop the other day. A guy was there with several grades of Kukicha for us to try. It was my first experience with Kukicha and I have to say I rather liked it a lot. I used to be a long time sencha drinker but nowdays I only drink chinese greens because japanese greens turned out to be the cause of my stomach problems. He told us that it was graded based on the grade of sencha it was the byproduct of and it was very interesting to see and taste the different grades side by side. It didn't cause me any problems either, so I might have found a good japanese green to drink again!!!

Anyway, I just wanted to share my first experience and ask for other people's thoughts and knowledge. I'm curious what are the best vendors for this wonderful tea?

[Chip]

Kukicha, aka sencha karigane is really nice if it is a good one. I have enjoyed the sencha karigane from Hibiki and kukicha from Den's. I am hoping O-Cha offers one.

I am always interested in trying another one ...

I am thinking the roasted kukicha or even houjicha would likely not bother your stomach, Tenuki. Since you like roasting things, you could roast your own, I have done it a few times.

It is interesting, my stomach problems went away when I started drinking Japanese greens. Tea is weird that way sometimes.

[tenuki]

I am thinking the roasted kukicha or even houjicha would likely not bother your stomach, Tenuki.

You are correct sir, but I rarely crave them like I crave sencha.

[Beidao]

I really love Kukicha. Easier than Sencha but almost as good. I have had sorts that were more vegetable and sorts that were more floral. I've loved them all!

[shogun89]

I am actually enjoying some iced kukicha now. I buy mine from Wegmans, and while its not as good as some that you can get online, its cheap and convenient. Good tea.

[Salsero]

OK, you dudes have convinced me. I ordered some of Den's Kukicha ... also some Bancha. Is the Bancha just going to be bad sencha?

[Pentox]

OK, you dudes have convinced me. I ordered some of Den's Kukicha ... also some Bancha. Is the Bancha just going to be bad sencha?

Bancha is bancha. It has a different flavor profile than sencha. Drier, more astringent, sharper.

[Chip]

Bancha though rarely in house, I find it to be mellow and approachable, an easy brewer, hot or cold brewed. Just throw some in a pot and pour whatever temp water is available over the leaf ... maybe I have been lucky with my bancha so far?

Regardless, the risk is low due to the cheap price, but the payoff is as well.

[Salsero]

Regardless, the risk is low due to the cheap price, but the payoff is as well.

Well, I read this as I sit sipping one of my rare perfect infusions of Yutaka Midori and thinking, "Why drink anything else anyway?" Ah well, the Den's should be a good example of a Bancha, it is cheap, I need the experience in my general education, and -- if worse comes to worse -- there's always the TeaBath.

[Beidao]

I have some cheap Bancha at home at it's (almost) impossible to get it bitter. Nice taste, nothing like sencha but a lot like some Kokeichas. Nice everyday tea.

[Ubancha]

Dude, I love Kukicha. Slightly on the roasty side. So yummy. A little pricey sometimes, though.

[Salsero]

OK, I got Den's Green Kukicha and their Bancha Suruga. The Bancha surprises me in how similar it tastes to Sencha. Nice to buy something Japanese for such a low price!

I brewed the Kukicha according to package directions (180°, 1 tsp (2.5 gr), 45 seconds), it is clearly too weak. How do you all brew Kukicha?

[Pentox]

My normal params are 5g/5oz/185, I find that kuki tends to like a higher temp though.

[Salsero]

My normal params are 5g/5oz/185, I find that kuki tends to like a higher temp though.

Those are you normals for sencha? And kuki should get more that 185°? Now if you suggest times, I will attain true wisdom.

[Chip]

Roasted kukicha? Hotter and shorter, usually less than a minute.

Green kukicha, I tend to go cooler and a minute.

Just personal preference.

Both are pretty forgiving on the amount of "leaf." Time seems to be kinda critical though.