Okuyutaka sencha

Okuyutaka (おくゆたか) is a mid-late sencha cultivar registered in 1983 at the Kanaya Tea Experiment Station. It is unique in that it is not a Yabukita bloodline , so it tells a different story in the cup: gentle, clean umami , a different aroma character, and a distinctly “round” balance.

Origin, name, character

" Oku " (奥) refers to the later development of the variety, while " Yutaka " (豊か) commemorates the parent Yutakamidori (ゆたかみどり) . Okuyutaka is also known for its higher yield and is described as having good cold tolerance and lower disease susceptibility.

“Family Tree” – where did Okuyutaka come from?

A quick overview – just as much genetics as you can take in with a smile.

 Selected from Asatsuyu (あさつゆ) seeds (1949)
 │ 
└── Yutakamidori ゆたかみどり ♀
 ×
 Tamamidori (Zairai of Kyoto) ───┐
 ├── Cha-Hon F1NN8 茶本F1NN8 ♂
 Shizuoka Zairai No.6 静岡在来6号 ─┘
 │
 └── Okuyutaka おくゆたか
(茶農林34号 – “tea plant No.34”)

Plant properties – what you can "read" in the garden

• Intermediate growth form , with well-developed stems and many branches.
• Good rooting – can also be reliably grown from cuttings.
• Shiny, slightly wrinkled, rounded leaves; thicker character in several places compared to Yabukita
• Longer shoots, darker green fresh leaves;

Harvest time and yield – the “work organizer” advantage

Okuyutaka typically buds about 8 days after Yabukita, and first harvest is about 6 days later. The yield is higher than Yabukita in many places (on average, about ~50% more is reported, and even more under certain conditions). This later timing can also be well-suited to other varieties, making the season more even.

Why do they like it?

One of the most beautiful messages of Okuyutaka in the cup: a mild, umami-rich taste, and a different aromatic character compared to the typical Yabukita-dominant profile. According to the descriptions, the amino acid content is particularly high (in tests compared to Yabukita), while the catechins are slightly lower and the caffeine can be higher - making the sip both "soft" and lively.

Where does this breed feel comfortable?

Its cold tolerance and stability are often highlighted, so it can be an interesting choice, especially south of the Tokai region, in the southern parts of Shizuoka, and even in cooler, mountainous areas - where spring cold still has its say.