Kukicha, Yabukita, Ureshino, Japan

Kukicha (茎茶) is a green tea made from leaves and stems (kuki in Japanese). The latter contain L-theanine which gives a particular sweetness and slows down the absorption of theine. It is lighter than most green teas and low in theine as it is composed partly of stem and not exclusively of buds. The infusion is a vibrant light green. This is an excellent afternoon or evening green tea.