An unassuming tea from Japan it looks like a simple collection of twigs. And, in fact, it is. Twigs. But breathe deep their scent and you’ll notice something comforting about their woodsy smell that harkens back to before the Edo era.

Kukicha twig tea consists of the stems and twigs that have been separated out of Japanese green tea and are highly oxidized and roasted. This gives the twigs a dark, ruddy red color and an intensely woodsy scent. The flavor is that of dried wood and blessed incense lit for the gods.

Kukicha is a unique tea that is wonderful with a bit of citrus juice and a shot of simple syrup. This tea loves to be served with dried fruits or roasted walnuts, or used as a beverage alongside a farro salad or a baked squash coated in brown sugar and cinnamon.