Harvest: Early
Yutakamidori
Kagoshima's workhorse. Almost always grown with a period of shading, which turns it deep green and strongly savory.
Where it came from
Selected from Asatsuyu seedlings at the Kanaya research station as line Y-2, then named and adopted by Kagoshima prefecture in 1966. It carries no Tea Norin number. Frost-tender, but well suited to Kagoshima's warm, flat fields.
Character
Left in full sun it turns brisk, but shade it before harvest and it becomes dense and savory instead. In Kagoshima the two go together as a matter of course. Deep green liquor. Early season.
What it suits
Deep-steamed sencha. For anyone who wants a full-bodied cup and a dark green pour.