Kukicha are the tea stems and stalks separated from the leaves during the green tea processing. Roasted kukicha can be a great evening companion, as the stems are usually lower in caffeine than the leaves and the tea loses most of its caffeine during the roasting process. Master Uejima-san’s hoji-kukicha is made from second year sencha stalks and lightly fried. When brewed at home, this tea has a sweet roasted nutty aroma with pleasant tobacco notes. And the perfectly balanced light roasted hazelnut flavour creates a pleasant evening mood.
