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Kukicha (Twig Tea)

茎茶, bōcha, karigane

7.4/10 editor's score

A Japanese tea made from the stems, stalks and twigs left over from sencha and matcha making. Mild, nutty and gently sweet.

Low caffeineNuttyJapan

↓ Jump to brew guide About this tea Compare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Kukicha (Twig Tea), top-down

What you need

250 ml water70 to 80°C

Steep 0:453 steeps

LiquorPale yellow-green

Served inKyūsu and yunomi

At a glance

A Japanese tea made from the stems, stalks and twigs left over from sencha and matcha making.

CaffeineLow~10 to 25 mg, our estimate

Beginner fit9.0 / 10From the editor's score

HarvestSpring and summer, with senchaStems from first-flush sencha.

Pairs withRice crackers, Onigiri, Light fishLess good with heavy spice

Grown atHills and plateausShizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture

Served inKyūsu and yunomiJapanese teapot, tall cup

About Kukicha (Twig Tea)

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe kukicha as mildly nutty, with a slightly creamy sweet flavour ¹.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

Made from: Stems, stalks and twigs of the tea plant ¹
From: Sencha or matcha production ¹
Karigane: Kukicha from gyokuro production ¹
Shiraore: Karigane from Kyushu ¹

History and culture

Kukicha uses parts of the plant that most teas leave out ¹.

It is one of the preferred teas of the macrobiotic diet ¹.

Editor's score

7.4/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg

Black tea (average)~47 mg

Green tea (average)~28 mg

Kukicha (Twig Tea)~10 to 25 mg

Our estimate. Stems carry less caffeine than leaf. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo Clinic^C.

Harvest calendar

Kukicha follows the sencha and matcha seasons. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Stems, stalks and twigs of Camellia sinensis ¹.

How it is made

01Sorting

Stems sorted from sencha or tencha ¹.

02Drying

Dried.

03Roasting

Sometimes roasted (bōcha).

Dry leaf and liquor

**Dry leaf**Pale green and tan stems and twigs.

LiquorPale yellow-green.

After steeping

Wet leafSoft green stems.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

Rice crackers
Onigiri
Light fish

Best avoided

Heavy spice

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

Airtight, opaque container, away from light, heat and smells.
Green tea fades fastest: aim to finish it within 3 to 6 months of opening.
Unopened sealed packs can go in the fridge. Let them reach room temperature before opening.

Grades and fakes

Karigane (from gyokuro) is the finer style ¹.

How to spot a poor or fake one

The name karigane is now used for any good kukicha ¹.
Too hot water makes it bitter ¹.

FAQ

Is twig tea lower quality?

Not necessarily. Karigane from gyokuro is prized ¹.

Find it inGreen teas Teas from Japan ShizuokaLow caffeineNuttyJapan

Sources

Wikipedia, "Kukicha". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kukicha
Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.