Kurihara Tea #12: 2023 Shiraore Stem Tea Infused with Matcha 抹茶入り白折 Kurihara Tea Farm

Another shiraore stem tea coming from the award-winning Kurihara Tea Farm. So, what exactly do we meant by shiraore?  Shiraore is a term used for kukicha (“twig tea”), or leaf stem tea, made with parts of the tea plant that is usually not used for making the most common type of green tea such as sencha or gyokuro. This shiraore consists of matcha powder and a blend of tea stems, stalks, and twigs which came from the production of their sencha tea. While in Kyushu (the most southern island), the people call this type of tea shiraore, Kyoto folks call it karigane. Because the shiraore is a tea that comes mainly from the stems, the characteristics is a refreshing stalk aroma that will slightly differ from your typical sencha. With the addition of the matcha powder, you will experience a vegetal tea, light-bodied with a deep green color.

Kukicha is a fantastic staple tea to add especially because a high quality kukicha such as this one will be pleasing but they are also often affordable. If you are looking to explore in the realm of kukichas, the Kurihara family also has a gyokuro shiraore and imperial shiraore, waiting for you to try! 

Product Info

• Name: Shiraore Stem Tea with Matcha
• Japanese name: 抹茶入り白折
• Ingredients: Green tea, matcha powder
• Harvest: Spring
• Region: Yabemura, Yame, Fukuoka Prefecture
• Notes: Machine-harvested

Vendor Info

• Producer: Kippei, Yuji, and Akio Kurihara (Father and sons), Kurihara Seicha Ltd.
• Location: 4236 Kita Yabe, Yabe-mura, Yame-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture 834-1401, JAPAN
• Size / # of fields: About 3 hectares
• Altitude: 300 – 700 meters