Hana Chan Kukicha Japanese Loose Leaf Green Tea

Sometimes considered a byproduct, kukicha is a delicious tea in its own right with a sweet, mellow flavour and less caffeine than other teas, as caffeine is stored in leaf material, not stems. This kukicha is made from the stem material of Yabukita, Zairai and Hachiju-Hachiya kamairicha pan-fired green tea, with added kamairicha leaves, leading to a smooth, sweet, nutty flavour.

This tea is named for the tea maker Uenohara’s friendly dog Hana-chan little flower, who accompanied us on our visit to Uenohara’s tea fields in May 2026.

100% Camellia Sinensis

50g packaged in a food-safe, recyclable tin.

About the teamaker

Made by Uenohara Kouji, in Saza on Japan’s Kyushu island, this tea comes from a lesser-known tea-growing area shaped by its own tea making traditions, and a mild, humid coastal climate. The region’s hilly terrain and abundant rainfall create favourable conditions for tea cultivation.

Uenohara's teas are cultivated naturally and produced using pan-firing rather than steaming, a rare practice in Japan. Uenohara describes his cultivation approach as ‘shizensaibai’ (‘natural cultivation’), and does not use any chemical fertilisers or pesticides. His tea fields benefit from the rich biodiversity of surrounding plants and herbs.

Brewing guide

3g of tea leaves per 200ml

Brew with filtered water at around 70°C for 3 minutes.

Can be infused twice or more.