Saemidori

 

 

 

 

 

Saemidori: Early-maturity cultivar, excellent quality, expanding cultivation area

   

 

Quality characteristics

The best thing about “Saemidori” is its excellent quality. Bright, sharp green in color and luster, the aroma is elegant. The flavor is less astringent and has umami. It is outstanding among the early-maturity cultivars and competitive even to its parents, “Yabukita” and “Asatsuyu”.

 

Notes on cultivation

Although it is destined for early-maturity cultivars and its resistance to cold is on the strong side, “Saemidori” is susceptible to frost damage and the chance of recovery is not good. In the early young tree stage, windy areas require windbreak measures. Disease resistance is moderate for anthracnose and weak for ring spot disease, so it is necessary to control in areas subject to outbreak. The yield is not very high, but it is a type with a higher number of buds and is stable among the early-maturity cultivars.

 

Notes on processing

The infusion color of “Saemidori” may be a slightly reddish when steamed evenly. If steamed a little deeper, it will become a beautiful green color.

 

Dissemination and land suitability for cultivation

  “Saemidori” was initially grown around southern Kyushu. The area under ​​cultivation in Kagoshima Prefecture was already 99 ha, according to a survey in 1998. Currently, the cultivation area is increasing in Shizuoka Prefecture and the Kinki Region. More writings on examples of cultivation of this cultivar have started to appear and in Kagoshima, Miyazaki, and Shizuoka prefectures, some products have been sold as single origin without any blending with other varieties of tea.