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Sencha Karigane
Chiran Organic

Name: Organic Sencha Karigane Chiran
SKU: 1203-bio
Price: 11.90 EUR
Availability: InStock

Sencha/Karigane 90/94 P.

SKU

1203-bio

Organic karigane made from Premium sencha. 1st flush blend of Yabukita and southern cultivars from tea farms in Chiran and Kirishima. Shaded. 200g

Approximately 80% stems and 20% leaves from premium sencha (karigane)
Blend of southern cultivars with a strong umami flavour
Many amino acids which give the tea an umami taste with minimal bitterness
Low in caffeine: a light and mild tea
Ideal for those with sensitive digestion or for drinking in larger quantities
A cost-effective, mild sencha
The "tea of tea farmers"

Character	Mild, aromatic, lightly sweet, umami, soft bitterness, slightly mineral, mildly savoury, notes of fruit and truly refreshing
Tea Garden	Nuruki Seicha; renowned organic tea farm in the Chiran terroir
Terroir	Chiran + Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
Harvest	1st flush (ichibancha), mid-April to the beginning of May 2023
Cultivar	Blend of primarily yabukita and okumidori with other southern cultivars
Elevation	150m and 670m above sea level
Steaming	Short (asamushi, approximately 30–40 seconds with increased distance from steam outlet)
Shading	Shaded for approximately 5–7 days. Shading technique: jikagise
Organic Cert.	JAS certified organic since 1998, EU certified organic since 2006
Grade	96/100 p. (karigane category); Super Premium 90/100 p. (sencha category); Premium There may be discrepancies between the gradings stated here and the tea label, as we have recently raised the grading of teas from Nuruki Seicha Tea Garden due to the excellent harvest.

In stock

The fields of Nuruki Seicha are located in the shadows of Kaimon Mountain (開聞岳) in southern Chiran, not far from Mt. Sakurajima. The Nuruki family has cultivated tea for over 20 years according to organic standards and comprehensive cultivation methods. We at Sunday Natural hold the Nuruki family's dedication to tea in high regard. Yuichiro Nuruki is the third generation of his family to run the farm. His father succeeded in converting the tea farm into an organic farm in the late 1990s, when agriculture in Chiran was still predominantly characterised by conventional cultivation methods. This was a challenging endeavour, particularly in the beginning. At first, the Nuruki family was ridiculed for their attempts to convert to organic farming and avoid the use of pesticides, and they had little experience or help with the transition. Yuichiro Nuruki's father, however, was not intimidated and today the Nuruki Tea Factory proudly produces premium organic teas that are notable for their strong character and nutritional benefits.

Flavour

Our karigane is custom-made for us from the stems of premium sencha blends from Chiran and Kirishima. Refined karigane are not to be compared with generic kukicha (stem tea). Karigane is only made from the stems of authentic, premium sencha from the first harvest. The high ichibancha quality, the blend of yabukita and full-bodied southern cultivars, the short period of shading, and not least the volcanic soil make for a very aromatic yet mild tea with many amino acids but relatively low caffeine and minimal bitterness. The result is a "light" sencha that is very cost-efficient and suitable for those who like to drink green tea in larger quantities and those sensitive to caffeine alike. On account of its affordability, this tea is also known as the "tea of tea farmers".

Leaf

At least 80% delicate karigane stems, approximately 20% light green leaves

Cup

Vibrant green to greenish yellow

Karigane refers to fine green teas obtained from the higher-quality stems, leaf veins and small leaf portions of select senchas and gyokuros. It is naturally low in caffeine and rich in amino acids, the latter of which give this tea its creamy and sweet aroma. Karigane is often called the "tea of tea farmers" because it is considered a bit of an insider secret that high-quality stem teas outshine basic and middle-rate senchas, gyokuros and hoijchas. The name karigane is a reference to Japanese folklore: wild geese are said to carry small branches (karigane) in their beaks when flying over large expanses of water in order to rest on them when they get tired. The high stem content of karigane thus inspired the name for this tea, which evokes the pieces of wood that the wild geese place in the water to float on and rest.

We go to great lengths to identify the finest organic tea farms across the world’s most celebrated terroirs. All our teas are sourced directly from the farmer and, with a few exceptions, are certified organic or come from pesticide-free farms. Each batch of tea for every harvest is tested for pesticides and other pollutants in an independent German lab to ensure they meet our strict quality standards as well as HACCP food safety requirements. Likewise, all the regions of Japan from which we source our teas are tested for radioactivity for every harvest.

Premium Organic Teas

Our comprehensive portfolio focuses on organic, single-origin teas sourced directly from renowned farms. We believe in creating partnerships with farmers who share our values and are committed to sustainable, responsible tea cultivation. Thanks to these strong relationships our exciting range is constantly growing and evolving. As an international team of dedicated and passionate tea experts, we are committed to preserving centuries-old tea culture while ensuring it remains relevant and continues to bring joy in the present. About Yoshi En.

Cultivation & Processing

The tea field has been certified organic since 1998 and utilises self-produced natural fertiliser that is fermented for 3 years and made from a nutritious combination of bamboo powder and mineral-rich stone. The fertile volcanic soil is further complemented by the ashes that are carried by the wind from the nearby active volcano, Mt. Sakurajima. The tea leaves are immediately washed with water after harvest to cleanse away volcanic ash. The tea farmer takes special pride in the use of older, traditional rolling and drying machinery that is made of bamboo rather than plastic. The bamboo components ensure the high quality of the tea during processing.

Single Origin

This tea is exclusively sourced from the above mentioned tea farms in Chiran and Kirishima. Sourced directly from the tea farmer.

Organic Certification

Preparation

Brewing Guide

2 heaped teaspoons per 200–300ml water (55–60°C). Steep for 2 minutes. Suitable for several infusions.

Packaging

High-quality, airtight, resealable standing zipper pouch with 9 protective layers to preserve flavour and protect against oxidation and contamination. The tea is vacuum packaged according to the highest standards in Japan, with a small quantity of nitrogen added to the package to protect against oxidation.

Recommended Teapot

The ideal teapot for sencha is a red tokoname kyusu with a fine ceramic sieve, which can best bring out the taste of sencha. Alternatively, a black tokoname kyusu can be used, which is a good all-rounder for preparing green teas.

Recommended Storage

A high-quality tea caddy made of cherry bark (solid wood, kabazaiku chazutsu) is ideal. Alternatively, a cheaper, internally coated, airtight tea caddy can suffice.

Test results

We find it very important that our teas are pure and produced in a way that respects the environment. For this reason, each one of our teas is tested for pesticide residues by an independent laboratory, the results of which can be found here. Some of our teas are also tested for specific nutritional compounds, in which case the test results are also published here.

See tests

Sencha Karigane
Chiran Organic

Tea Farm