Kukicha is made from the parts of the plant that get sorted out of sencha and gyokuro: the stems, stalks and small twigs. Stems store the plant's sugars and amino acids but hold far less caffeine and far fewer catechins than the leaf, so the cup comes out sweet, light and almost creamy with barely any astringency. It is also the most forgiving tea we sell â hot water and a long steep will not turn it bitter the way they would a sencha. The pale yellow-green liquor and gentle body make it a good evening tea, and a good first Japanese tea for anyone who finds green tea sharp. Rebrew it two or three times; the stems keep giving.
Tea Artisan: TakadaăăKyoto
Takada Masahiro, a Uji-based farmer, is the one who produces this excellent kukicha green tea. He is part of Chanoka, a family business with a history dating back to 1900, when his great grandfather established their first tea garden in Uji. Since then, they have been committed to cultivating and manufacturing some of the finest teas in Japan.
Origin: UjiJapan
The Chanoka kukicha green tea is produced in Uji, the most famous region when it comes to the production of Japanese green tea. This particular kukicha green tea is grown on the farm of Chanoka in Uji. The tea plants are cultivated at an altitude of 400 meters and it is unshaded, which allows the tea to maintain its naturally, slightly citrusy flavor profiles.
Cultivar: YabukitaTea variety
The Chanoka kukicha green tea is made from the Yabukita cultivar, the most popular tea variety in Japan.
Yabukita: There are two primary factors that have allowed the Yabukita to become the most popular tea plant variety in Japan. Firstly, it is a hardier variety, making it easier to maintain through the comparatively cold winters of central Japan. Secondly, it produces a strong vegetal and savory flavor that is greatly appreciated by Japanese tea lovers!
Preparation & ServingsUp to 60 cups
Hot brew: 5 g of leaves, 150 ml of water at 70°C (158°F), 1 minute.
Brew it again: the same leaves give 3 infusions. Re-infuse 2 more times with water at the same temperature, 20 seconds each; every infusion tastes a little different.
Cold brew: best enjoyed hot, we do not recommend cold brewing this tea.
One pack: Up to 60 cups · 20 à 5 g servings, 3 infusions each · 100 g / 3.5 oz.
Why choose Nio Teas?
For us, tea is more than a beverage, itâs a way of life. Weâve spent years visiting tea farms across Japan, tasting teas with the people who grow them and building lasting, direct relationships. We believe this is the most sustainable way to source tea: fewer intermediaries, greater traceability and a closer connection between farmer and drinker.
Every tea is 100% pesticide-free and carefully selected for its taste, origin and craftsmanship. Whether youâre discovering Japanese tea or comparing cultivars and terroirs, youâll find honest tasting notes, precise brewing guidance and real support to help you get the best from every cup.
Nutritional information
Complete Your Tea RitualNo Kyusu at home? No problem!
100% Pesticide-FreeDirect from FarmersPure & UnblendedSingle-Origin TerroirSmall-Batch HarvestAuthentic Japanese Craft
Unveiling Kukicha's Superfood Power
•
Caffeine
Natural caffeine for a gentle, sustained lift.
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Antioxidants
Rich in catechins and other naturally occurring antioxidants.
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Chlorophyll
Naturally rich in chlorophyll, the pigment behind matchaâs vibrant green colour.
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Potassium & Calcium
Naturally occurring minerals that contribute to matchaâs nutritional profile.
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L-theanine
An amino acid naturally found in tea, associated with a calm, focused feeling.
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Vitamins A, C, E & K
Contains a range of vitamins naturally present in the whole tea leaf.
Why Buy Your Kukicha from Nio Teas
No middlemen, no pesticides, no risk.
30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Try it with confidence. If it isnât right for you, contact us within 30 days.
15 Japanese Tea Farmers
Our tea brings together the craft and regional expertise of 15 partner farmers across Japan.
Direct from Farmer to Cup
We build lasting relationships with our farmers for fewer intermediaries and greater traceability.
100% Pesticide-Free Kukicha
Every Kukicha is grown without pesticides, then personally tasted and selected by our team.
How to Make Kukicha Like a Pro
For the optimal flavor of the Chanoka kukicha green tea, it's advised to brew it at a lower temperature. Higher temperatures may lead to bitterness and you wonât get the same complex and nuanced flavor profiles as youâd get when the tea is properly brewed.
Heat the Water
Heat water to 70°C (158°F).
Add the Leaves
Add 5 g of leaves to a kyusu teapot.
Steep
Pour 150 ml of water and steep for 1 minute.
Pour & Brew Again
Pour out every drop, then brew the same leaves 2 more times (20 seconds each).
Loose Leaf Tea Over Teabags
Rich in Flavor, Not in Microplastics.
Chanoka, a family tea garden in Uji since 1907.
Farmer: Takadaăă
Masahiro Takada carries on the Chanoka family tea business in Ujitawara, in Kyoto's Uji tea region. The garden's own records date its opening to 1907. From shaded matcha to sencha and stem teas, the family's work combines tea-making experience with an inventive approach to how tea is prepared and enjoyed.
Why Organic Kukicha Fields Make a Difference
Tea plants absorb everything from the soil, making pesticide-free farming especially important. The farmers we work with have found a way to grow delicious tea without harming the natural ecosystem.
Nio teas has been my favourite place to purchase good quality teas for a while now, and still they never disappoint me. Their teas are excellent quality, however, Iâd like to give more attention to customer service - Nio team has been very kind and helpful each time I had any sort of problem. Their customer service never disappoints, they are very attentive and quick in responding to any queries, hence why Iâve been a loyal customer for a while now.
Apr 1, 2026
5 out of 5 stars
5/5
Sean
My favorite vendor for Japanese organic loose leaf green teas. They are sourcing some of the best organic teas out of Japan and supporting family farmers and the growing organic tea industry as a whole.I have ordered from every vendor for years and Nio consistently has the best prices and selection overall. They provide top notch customer service and fast shipping as well. Highly recommended đ
Shipping is free once your order passes the threshold for your country â USD 54.99 · EUR 54.99 · GBP 44.99 · CHF 49.99 · CAD 74.99 · DKK 399 · SEK 599 · PLN 229 · CZK 1,290. Everywhere else it's the equivalent of USD 54.99, converted automatically. Below the threshold a flat rate applies, always shown at checkout before you pay.
When will it arrive?
Delivery in 4â12 Business Days Due to High Demand
We ship from warehouses in the US, the EU and Japan â whichever is closest to you. US and EU orders arrive in 4â12 business days; the handful of countries served from Japan take around 10. Business days count from dispatch rather than from when you order, and exclude weekends and public holidays. You'll get a tracking number by email the moment your parcel leaves the warehouse.
We only buy from fields grown without pesticides or chemicals. We ask each farmer directly how they manage their land, visit the plantation and processing facility ourselves, taste every harvest before committing, and check that the biodiversity around the fields is alive. Small family farms don't always carry paperwork â so we verify it in person instead.
Japanese green tea covers an enormous range, and choosing online isn't easy. If you've tried yours and it isn't for you, email info@nioteas.com within 30 days with your order number and a line on what you didn't enjoy. We'll send a different tea of equal or lower value, free. Nothing to post back â keep it, share it, or try brewing it cooler. Once per order.
Email info@nioteas.com within 30 days with your order number and a photo. We'll approve it, cover the return postage with a prepaid label or a reimbursement, and refund you â no restocking fee. Refunds go to your original payment method within 2 business days of the return reaching us; your bank may take another 5â20 to show it.
Unopened items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days. Tea is sealed for hygiene, so opened packs can't come back â but the swap above covers exactly that situation. Return postage is yours unless the item arrived damaged, defective or incorrect.
Orders to the US and EU ship domestically from our local warehouse, so there's no customs charge and no duty. A small number of destinations are served from our Japan warehouse, where your own customs authority may apply import duty, VAT or a carrier handling fee on delivery. Those are set by your country, not by us. Ask before you order and we'll help you check.
Thereâs not much to say, itâs a great quality kukicha!
It has a very light aroma, not too bitter, I love it almost any time.
It goes well with dark chocolate too.
This green tea is mostly stems, which makes it good for late afternoon or for people with caffeine sensitivity. The smell of the leaf is very herbal and almost minty, with a very fruity taste. Overall a great tea, the brewing guide for this one is spot on
I'm normally a big consumer of Sakamoto Kukicha for my health, and due to a lack of stock, the guys from Team Nio sent me two packages of Chanoka Kukicha and two of Osada Kukicha. Osada is too sour for me, but the big surprise is the sweetness of Chanoka. While they don't have Sakamoto Kukicha in stock, I'll continue to drink Chanoka.
Thanks, best regards.
I got this mainly for the lower caffeine content. However, the taste and aroma are very good. Itâs much better than I was expecting. Itâs very fresh and very delicious. I will definitely be buying more of this!
