Harvest: Early
Saemidori
A cross of Yabukita and Asatsuyu. Low in astringency with the savory side forward, and a notably bright green liquor.
Where it came from
Yabukita × Asatsuyu, registered as No. 40 in 1990. Bred to combine Asatsuyu's sweetness with Yabukita's reliability in the field.
Character
Gentle astringency with clear savoriness and sweetness. Easier to grow than Asatsuyu and yields well. The vivid green of the liquor makes it recognizable at a glance. Early — Kagoshima picks it within April.
What it suits
High-grade sencha and kabusecha. Brew cool and slow. Often sold as a single cultivar, which makes it a good place to start if you want to taste what cultivar means.