Camellia sinensis var. sinensis
★★★★☆
Sofu
Also known as: Soufuu
An intensely floral aroma cultivar — jasmine and gardenia, used for fragrant green and oolong-style tea.
Species
var. sinensis
Lineage
Modern hybrid
Country
Japan
Year
2002
Leaf size
Medium
Cup quality
4/5
Sofu (そうふう) is a Japanese aroma cultivar registered in 2002, a cross of Yabukita with the Shizu-inzatsu 131 line. It was bred specifically for fragrance.
Sofu carries an intense jasmine-and-gardenia floral aroma and is used to make highly fragrant sencha as well as Japanese semi-oxidised (oolong-style) and aroma teas. It is one of the standout modern Japanese aroma cultivars for drinkers who want perfume in the cup.
Modern hybrid
Deliberate cross developed by tea research institutes. Developed 2002. Parent material: Yabukita, Shizu-inzatsu 131.
Lineage data & sources
Documented cross — its two parent cultivars are recorded in tea-breeding registries and confirmed by SSR/DNA analysis; trace them in the lineage explorer.
Sources: pathofcha.com
Teas produced
SenchaOolong (light)
Flavor signature
Growing regions
- Japan (Shizuoka)
Origins where Sofu grows
Brands likely carrying Sofu
Direct-sourcing operations with focus areas that align with this cultivar's typical growing regions.