茎茶
A Japanese tea made from the twigs of the tea plant as opposed to its leaves. Because the twigs of the plant contain virtually no caffeine, kukicha contains 1/10th the caffeine of sencha (or "common tea").
Kukicha has a rich, yet subtle, earthy flavor that is similar to oolong yet more mellow and nutty. The infustion is also a much darker brown than oolong. Because of its low caffeine content, it is just fine to drink after dinner or before bedtime.
Kukicha is sometimes known as the "peasant's drink" because it is said that the farmers, after selling the tea leaves as a cash crop to the urban populace, would use the remaining twigs to drink themselves.
The most alkalizing of the green teas, it is also considered by many (including myself) to be the most mellowing.
A truely delightful and different tea.