Tea Cultivar · Camellia sinensis var. sinensis
Samidori
- Origin
- Japan - Kyoto (Uji)
- Registered
- 1953
- Primary use
- matcha, tencha, gyokuro
Overview
Samidori, registered in 1953, is one of the great Uji matcha cultivars, selected from a native Uji seed population for its outstanding color, sweetness, and tencha yield. Alongside Asahi and Goko, it forms the traditional Uji matcha trinity and is favored by competition-level chashi (tea blenders) for its bright color and clean profile.
Characteristics
A medium-leafed sinensis with bright green foliage, a relatively upright habit, and excellent response to long shading. It is a mid-season budder with moderate cold tolerance, well adapted to the cool, foggy mornings of the Uji valley. The cultivar produces unusually uniform tencha leaves, which is part of its value to traditional producers.
Flavor profile
Brilliantly green, with a clean, gentle umami, soft floral aroma, and a balanced sweetness that ages well - Samidori matcha tends to retain its color and freshness longer than many other single cultivars. The cup has a refined, elegant quality rather than a powerful one.
Where it grows
Kyoto (Uji)