Camellia sinensis var. sinensis
★★★★☆
Uji Hikari
Also known as: Ujihikari
A traditional Uji shade cultivar — deep umami and rich body for high-grade matcha.
Species
var. sinensis
Lineage
Modern selection
Country
Japan
Year
1954
Leaf size
Medium
Cup quality
4/5
Uji Hikari (宇治光) is a Kyoto/Uji cultivar selected from local landrace material for shaded (tencha and gyokuro) production. It belongs to the classic family of Uji matcha cultivars alongside Asahi, Gokou and Samidori.
Grown under shade it gives a deep, umami-rich, full-bodied cup with a rich dark-green colour, and is used both single-cultivar and as a component in traditional Uji matcha blends. It is less widely planted than Samidori but valued by Uji producers for depth.
Modern selection
Selected from heirloom material in the 20th century. Developed 1954. Parent material: Uji Zairai.
Lineage data & sources
Clonal / landrace selection — selected from its regional population, so a specific mother and father plant are not individually documented.
Sources: ujimatchatea.com
Teas produced
MatchaGyokuro
Flavor signature
Growing regions
- Japan (Kyoto/Uji)
Origins where Uji Hikari grows
Brands likely carrying Uji Hikari
Direct-sourcing operations with focus areas that align with this cultivar's typical growing regions.