Organic Kuki Gyokuro Saemidori

The poetry of an exceptional shade-grown tea

Coming from the first spring harvest—known as ichibancha in Japanese—this rare Grand Cru originates from the Kagoshima terroir in Japan. Crafted from the saemidori cultivar, this organic tea blends delicately folded leaves with fine stems, called kuki in Japanese. Shaded for several weeks prior to picking, it develops a remarkable natural sweetness: the presence of the stems softens the liquor, reduces caffeine, and delivers a perfect balance between intense umami and great finesse.

Upon tasting, its beautiful yellow-hued liquor captivates with a complex, enveloping aromatic profile. It reveals rich vegetal notes, a buttery and milky sweetness, as well as indulgent nuances of melting chestnut and marine notes.

History & Legend: The Song of the Wild Geese

This tea is also known as karigane, a Japanese term meaning "the song of the wild geese." During infusion, the lighter stems float to the surface like slender branches drifting on water. According to legend, wild geese rest upon them during their migration to catch their breath—a poetic image that now gives its name to complex teas derived from the finest sencha and gyokuro.