What is Karaki?

Karaki is Okinawan Cinnamon (Cinnamomum sieboldii) is a type of cinnamon native to Okinawa. Karaki has a long history of being grown and used in Okinawa as a tea, to season food and drink, and as a herbal medicine. The leaves, roots and bark all have a wonderful aroma. Since the times of Ryukyu Kingdom, when Okinawa was its own kingdom and not a part of Japan, Karaki has been a highly valued ingredient.

The taste of the leaves is a combination of warm cinnamon spiciness and green fresh notes that regular cinnamon does not have. It also has gentle sweetness that helps all the wonderful aromas and flavours blend in perfectly with each other. Karaki tea is made from these leaves, creating a brew that is both soothing and refreshing at the same time. 

What is Kugani Kitchen?

Kugani Kitchen is a small farm in the village of Ogimi in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa, surrounded by the lush Yanbaru jungle. Ogimi Village is famous as a village of longevity with many of its residents living well past the average life expectancy in Japan.