Kukicha Tea is a tea with interesting health properties. I discovered it during my training on macrobiotic nutrition. In fact, we owe its spread in Europe to George Ohsawa, the founder of macrobiotics.
Index
- What is Kukicha Tea and How to Get It
- Kukicha Tea: The Health Properties
- Drinking Kukicha tea, benefits:
- Kukicha Tea: When to Consume It
- Preparation of Kukicha drink
- Other uses of kukicha
- Scientific sources and insights
What is Kukicha Tea and How to Get It
Kukicha is a variety of Bancha green tea . The name Kukicha comes from the term kuki which means twig . It is obtained, in fact, using the thinnest twigs of the tea plant, and is also known as three-year tea . This, in fact, is the time that is waited before collecting the twigs of the plant. The collected twigs are then toasted 4 times. Since their leaves are small in size, after toasting, the twigs resemble pine needles.
Kukicha Tea: The Health Properties
Kukicha tea is a Japanese tea (this is its original name: 茎茶) that belongs to the large family of green teas. As such, it does not undergo the fermentation process , for this reason it preserves most of its nutritional properties.
It contains a very low percentage of theine, equivalent to one tenth of the percentage contained in other green teas. This means that, unlike other teas, including black tea, it can also be consumed in the evening, as the presence of stimulants is very low as it is practically caffeine-free.
Among the nutrients of Kukicha are:
- mineral salts, including calcium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc,
- vitamins: A, group B (B1, B2), C, PP
- amino acids such as theanine
- antioxidants (catechins and flavonoids).
Drinking Kukicha tea, benefits:
- It aids digestion.
- It helps burn fat.
- Antioxidant: This tea is rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals, which in turn promote cellular aging. It therefore has an anti-aging action for the entire organism.
- Alkalizing: Kukicha helps balance the acidity level in the body.
- It benefits the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
- It may help reduce blood pressure.
- It may help lower cholesterol.
- It helps to strengthen the immune system.
- It’s good for your bones.
Kukicha Tea: When to Consume It
Kukicha tea is excellent for breakfast, but can also be used as in macrobiotic cuisine, to accompany meals instead of water. Obviously it is recommended not to sweeten it, its taste is still pleasant. This drink stimulates and promotes digestion.
Preparation of Kukicha drink
Kukicha tea is sold in natural and organic food stores and e-shops such as Macrolibrarsi and Sorgente Natura , both in tea bags and loose in sprigs.
To prepare it, you need to simmer a heaped teaspoon of Kukicha in a liter of water for 5 minutes on low heat. Turn off the heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
Filter and serve. It is consumed warm .
Japanese Three Year Green Tea – Kukicha
Organic Japanese Green Tea Twigs and Leaves
The Window to the Sky
Enjoy your Kukicha tea warm: it is the perfect accompaniment for any time of the day. Remember that this tea is also particularly suitable for the evening, as it has low levels of stimulants, thus offering a relaxing and tasty experience.
Other uses of kukicha
It can be used in combination with other ingredients for therapeutic and rebalancing purposes:
- ginger,
- sea salt,
- lemon,
- tamari sauce.