Minekaori みねかおり
Summary
Minekaori is a specialized tea cultivar bred in Miyazaki Prefecture in 1966 by crossing Yabukita and Unkai, specifically engineered for kamairicha (pan-fired tea) production. The variety delivers 16–18% higher yields than Yabukita, strong cold and disease resistance, and a distinctive sweet, cooked-rice aroma prized in pan-fired processing—though it underperforms as sencha. Registered nationally in 1988, it remains concentrated in Kyushu's mountainous kamairicha regions and o…
Key points
- Minekaori yields 16–18% more than Yabukita in Kyushu trial zones, with heavier buds (61.9g vs. 50.4g average).
- Registered MAFF cultivar No. 38 (1988); specifically bred for kamairicha, excels in pan-fired aroma and taste.
- Medium-strong cold and disease resistance; recommended for mountainous Kumamoto, Oita, and Miyazaki regions.
- Lineage includes Unkai (Assamica-linked); Minekaori scores nearly equal to parent Unkai in pan-fired quality trials.
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About this article
What they said
“Minekaori is renowned for its distinctive sweet, cooked rice aroma and exceptional quality when processed using the pan-firing method.”
Minekaori is renowned for its distinctive sweet, cooked rice aroma and exceptional quality when processed using the pan-firing method.
“In several Kyushu Prefectures. In terms of harvest conditions, it is a medium-growing cultivar, ready to harvest on average 2 days later than Yabukita.”
In several Kyushu Prefectures. In terms of harvest conditions, it is a medium-growing cultivar, ready to harvest on average 2 days later than Yabukita.
“Minekaori is relatively strong in terms of both cold resistance and disease resistance, so it is highly adaptable to the region.”
Minekaori is relatively strong in terms of both cold resistance and disease resistance, so it is highly adaptable to the region.
The numbers
Yield advantage over Yabukita: 16–18%
Minekaori bud weight: 61.9 g
Yabukita average bud weight: 50.4 g
Cultivar breeding year: 1966
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