Camellia sinensis var. sinensis ★★★☆☆

Sayamakaori

Strong, aromatic and brisk with more catechin punch. Cold-hardy, the classic Sayama cultivar.

Species
var. sinensis
Lineage
Modern selection
Country
Japan
Year
1971
Leaf size
Medium
Cup quality
3/5

Sayamakaori (さやまかおり) is a green-tea cultivar registered in 1971, selected from Yabukita and named for its powerful fragrance — "kaori" means aroma. It was bred for cold hardiness, which made it the signature cultivar of the northerly Sayama tea region in Saitama, and it is also grown in Shizuoka and Kyushu.

Its higher catechin content gives a brisk, robust, slightly astringent cup with a strong aroma — bolder and less delicate than Yabukita. It rewards careful, cooler brewing and is prized by drinkers who want an assertive, full-flavoured Japanese green tea.

Modern selection
Selected from heirloom material in the 20th century. Developed 1971. Parent material: Yabukita.
Lineage data & sources
Clonal / landrace selection — selected from its regional population, so a specific mother and father plant are not individually documented.
Sources: senbirdtea.com

Teas produced

Sencha

Flavor signature

AromaticBriskAstringentRobustGrassy

Growing regions

Origins where Sayamakaori grows

Brands likely carrying Sayamakaori

Direct-sourcing operations with focus areas that align with this cultivar's typical growing regions.

Related cultivars

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