Yabukita

Yabukita is a variety selected by Sugiyama Hikosaburo in Shizuoka Prefecture. From seeds obtained from selected individuals, he cultivated a bamboo grove in an area called Nakabayashi, and from the seedlings planted there, he selected two individuals, calling the northern one 'Yabukita' and the southern one 'Yabuminami'. Subsequently, propagation was carried out based on this 'Yabukita', and characteristic investigations began in autumn 1927. As its superior quality was recognized, it came to be called by the strain name 'Yabukita' at the Tea Department of Shizuoka Prefectural Agricultural Experiment Station in 1934. It has strong aroma and taste, is elegant and rich in sweetness, making it extremely excellent for sencha. As a medium-season variety with early budding, large bud length, and many buds, it has high yield. Excellent in both quality and yield, it has strong cold resistance and wide adaptability. The tree form is strongly upright, but it has weaknesses against anthracnose and blister blight. It has spread nationwide and has become the main variety in current tea production areas.