Japanese tea cultivar was started with “Yabukita”.  In 1908, Hikosaburo Sugiyama found an excellent tea tree among selected native varieties trees in Shizuoka prefecture.  That tree was grown on the north side of bushes.  He named that excellent tree “Yabukita” (薮北).  That was the story of the first tea cultivar in Japan.  Since then, many cultivars have been breeding in multiple research institutes.

Each cultivar has different characteristics of tastes, aroma, leaf color, watercolor, harvest season, resistance to disease, insect, and cold weather.  And some cultivars were bred to be used for specific tea types.  Recent some new cultivars were aimed to meet the preferences of overseas Japanese tea lovers.

In this section, we keep adding contents of Japanese tea cultivar information such as pedigree and taste characteristics.  And we hope it will help you to choose your single cultivar tea products and find your favorite tastes.

Name

Benifuki

Benifuki” green tea contains methylated catechin.
Methylated catechins have been reported to reduce discomfort in the eyes and nose caused by pollen, dust, and house dust.

Pedigree

Benifuki Pedigree

Tastes

Benifuki - Tastes

Tea Field

Benifuki Tea Field - CHIYONOEN

Haruto34

Haruto34” surpasses “Saemidori” with umami taste, and the shoots green color is darker than “Saemidori”.  It is rated as a sweet aroma, gentle taste, and subtle astringent bitter tastes.

Haruto34 - Pedigree
Haruto34 - Taste Reference
Haruto34 - Tea Field

Kirari31

Less catechins and more amino acids than “Yabukita” or “Saemidori”.
Good for variety of tea types, and is evaluated as the same or better color, taste, and aroma as “Saemidori”.

Kirari31 Pedigree
Kirari31 Taste
Kirari31 Cultivar Leaf

Minamisayaka

Minamisayaka”  has a characteristic aroma that combination of milky fragrance and a floral aroma like gardenia or jasmine and a fruity aroma.
And it tastes sweet, clear, and refreshing.

Miyamisayaka - Pedigree
Minamisayaka - Taste Reference
Minamisayaka - Tea Field

Okumidori

Okumidori” has dark green watercolor, and gives you a great balance of umami and astringent tastes.

Enjoy the elegant sweetness and light aftertaste.

Okumidori Pedigree
Okumidori - Tastes
Okumidori Tea Field - Sakamoto Tea Farms

Saemidori

Many farmers choose Saemidori” for their highest grade teas because it gives you rich umami, sweetness, and thick aroma while less astringent and bitter tastes.

Saemidori - Pedigree
Saemidori - Tastes
Saemidori Tea Field

Sakimidori

“Sakimidori” has bright fresh green leaves and wonderful watercolor.
It has a citrusy flavor reminiscent of summer, and has a mild, unctuous taste and aroma.

Sakimidori - Pedigree - Site Page
Sakimidori - Taste Reference - Site Page
Cultivar - Sakimidori - Site Page

Seimei

Strong umami taste, sweet creamy aroma, and low astringency.
The umami flavor and the sweetness is the strongest among the cultivars available today.
Beautiful bright green leaf color.

Seimei Cultivar Pedigree
Seimei Cultivar Taste
Seimei Cultivar - Leaf

Yabukita

Yabukita” takes over more than half of the total tea productions.
It has a high total score of tastes, aroma, watercolor, and leaf color.
The great taste balance of sweetness, astringency, and bitterness.
Yabukita Pedigree
Yabukita - Tastes
Yabukita - Fujihara Tea Growers Tea Field