{"product_id":"karigane-hatsugan","title":"Karigane Hatsugan - Premium Stem Tea from Uji, Kyoto by Shogyokuen","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eKarigane Hatsugan - Premium Stem Tea from Uji, Kyoto by Shogyokuen\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKarigane Hatsugan is a premium stem tea (karigane) from Shogyokuen, Uji, Kyoto - produced by a family-run factory established in 1827. Made from the stems and stalks of high-grade tea plants rather than the leaf, karigane has a softer, sweeter character than leaf-only green teas - lower in catechins, lower in bitterness, and with a delicate, clean sweetness that makes it genuinely different from anything else in the Chaseki range. Rare in Thailand. Worth understanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout Karigane Hatsugan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKarigane (雁が音) - also called kukicha - is made from the stems and stalks separated during the production of high-grade tea. Because stems contain significantly lower catechin levels than leaves, the resulting tea is softer, sweeter, and less astringent than any leaf-based green tea at the same grade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes Shogyokuen's karigane distinctive is the source material: the stems come from their high-grade tea plants. The quality of the parent plant flows into the stem tea - the sweetness and gentle umami reflect the same Uji provenance as the rest of the Shogyokuen range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHatsugan (初雁) - 'first wild goose of autumn' - is the premium tier within Shogyokuen's karigane range, and represents the finest stem material available from this producer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTaste Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLiquor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pale golden-green, clear\n\u003cstrong\u003eMouthfeel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Light, delicate\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium, naturally sweet\n\u003cstrong\u003eUmami:\u003c\/strong\u003e Subtle, gentle\n\u003cstrong\u003eBitterness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very low\n\u003cstrong\u003eAstringency:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very low\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKarigane Hatsugan brews a pale golden-green liquor with a light, delicate body and a medium, naturally sweet finish. The character is quiet and refined - a gentle sweetness leads, supported by a subtle, clean vegetal note and a soft underlying umami that reflects the Uji provenance without demanding attention. Very low bitterness and astringency mean the cup is smooth from start to finish. A tea that rewards stillness and slow appreciation - not dramatic, but genuinely lovely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Brew Karigane Hatsugan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended brewing parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeaf\/stem: 5-6g per 150-200ml\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater temperature: 70-75°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSteeping time: 60-90 seconds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInfusions: 2-3\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse moderate temperature - cooler than standard sencha - to preserve the delicate sweetness. Pour fully after each infusion. Cold brew: 8-10g per 500ml, fridge 6-8 hours - particularly pleasant, very clean and sweet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEquipment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kyusu or any teapot with a fine strainer (stems can be smaller than leaf pieces).\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Karigane Hatsugan Compares\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKarigane Hatsugan is unlike any other product in the Chaseki Shogyokuen range - it occupies its own lane. It has none of the grassy assertiveness of sencha, none of the concentrated umami of gyokuro, and none of the roasted warmth of houjicha. Its closest relatives in character are \u003ca href=\"\/products\/asatsuyu\"\u003eAsatsuyu sencha\u003c\/a\u003e (sweet, low astringency) and the lighter end of the gyokuro range - but it is softer and more delicate than both. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/shiro-no-oto\"\u003eShiro No Oto\u003c\/a\u003e is the other karigane option in the range, positioned below at a more accessible price point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Sourcing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProduced by Shogyokuen, established 1827, master blender Hiroshi Kobayashi. Premium stem material from Uji, Kyoto, refined in Kyotanabe. Chaseki exclusive Thailand distributor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSizes \u0026amp; Packaging: 100g, 250g, 500g, 1,000g from THB 985 per 100g.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKarigane FAQ Block\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is karigane?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKarigane (雁が音) is a Japanese tea made from the stems and stalks of tea plants rather than the leaves. Also known as kukicha in some regions. Because stems have lower catechin content than leaves, karigane is naturally softer, sweeter, and lower in bitterness than leaf-based green teas. When the stems come from high-grade plants (as with Shogyokuen's material), the result is a tea of genuine refinement and character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow does karigane differ from sencha?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSencha is made from full leaves and is bright, grassy, and moderately astringent. Karigane uses stems and stalks, producing a softer, sweeter, less astringent cup. Karigane is also lower in caffeine than sencha. They are very different in character despite both being Japanese green teas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs karigane low in caffeine?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Stems contain less caffeine than leaves, making karigane one of the lower-caffeine options in the Japanese green tea range. It is not caffeine-free, but noticeably lighter than sencha or gyokuro.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do I brew karigane?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5-6g per 150-200ml at 70-75°C. Steep 60-90 seconds. Pour fully. 2-3 infusions. Use a fine strainer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs karigane good for cold brew?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Clean and sweet cold brewed. 8-10g per 500ml, fridge 6-8 hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs Chaseki karigane sourced directly from Japan?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Shogyokuen, Uji Kyoto, established 1827. Direct producer relationship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow should I store karigane?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCool, dry, dark, airtight container. Consume within 3-4 months of opening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat teaware do I need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKyusu or any teapot with a fine strainer. Stems can be small pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs karigane suitable for cafes?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. A distinctive addition to a specialty Japanese tea menu. Contact us for wholesale pricing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is the difference between karigane and gyokuro?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGyokuro is shaded leaf tea - deep umami, coating mouthfeel, small brewing volumes. Karigane is stem tea - softer, sweeter, more delicate, and less umami-intensive. Both are premium Japanese teas, but they serve different preferences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/shiro-no-oto\"\u003eShiro No Oto\u003c\/a\u003e - the other karigane option, entry tier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/asatsuyu\"\u003eAsatsuyu\u003c\/a\u003e - the sencha closest to karigane's soft, sweet character\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/tsuki-no-hikari\"\u003eTsuki No Hikari\u003c\/a\u003e - entry gyokuro for those who want more umami depth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/how-to-brew-sencha\"\u003eHow to Brew Karigane\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Shogyokuen","offers":[{"title":"100g","offer_id":47868861350045,"sku":"SHO-KAR-HGN-100S","price":1120.0,"currency_code":"THB","in_stock":true},{"title":"250g","offer_id":47868861382813,"sku":"SHO-KHG-250G","price":2490.0,"currency_code":"THB","in_stock":false},{"title":"500g","offer_id":47868861415581,"sku":"SHO-KHG-500G","price":4428.0,"currency_code":"THB","in_stock":false},{"title":"1000g","offer_id":47868861448349,"sku":"SHO-KHG-1000G","price":7872.0,"currency_code":"THB","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0347\/1228\/9412\/files\/Karigan-Hatsugan-100g.jpg?v=1777113232","url":"https:\/\/chasekitea.shop\/products\/karigane-hatsugan","provider":"Chaseki Tea","version":"1.0","type":"link"}