This tea is a blend of both leaf and stalk from tea plants that are grown in the shade. The dry leaf has a beautiful color contrast, and when brewed, the cup is smooth and bright with fresh vegetal flavors.

Otsuka Green Tea Co., a family-owned tea company founded in 1869 in Shizuoka, Japan, is responsible for producing this tea. They have been owned and operated by the same family for five generations. Their tea factory is located near the Nissaka area of Shizuoka, which is not too far from the majestic Mt. Fuji.

Karigane is a type of tea that is specifically made from Gyokuro plants, which are grown in the shade. It mainly consists of stems, but also includes some leaf material. The name "Karigane" comes from the shape of the stem, which resembles a stick that a wild goose would rest on. During the processing of this tea, the leaves are shaken and blown through a state-of-the-art machine that has over 700 cameras in a line, allowing the leaves to be sorted by color (this process is done twice). Otsuka intentionally includes the lighter-colored stems to add contrast to the final product.