Kirari 31 きらり31
Summary
Kirari 31 is a new Japanese tea cultivar developed in Miyazaki Prefecture and registered in 2013 after 19 years of breeding and testing across 10+ prefectures. A cross between Sakimidori and Saemidori, it combines early budding, exceptional cold resistance, and yields nearly double Yabukita in spring while delivering superior sencha, kabusecha, and gyokuro quality marked by intense umami and bright color. Its vigorous growth and frost resilience make it increasingly viable fo…
Key points
- Developed 1994–2013 at Miyazaki Prefectural Agricultural Experiment Station; crossed Sakimidori (early, cold-hardy) × Sa…
- Spring yields: 511–520 kg/10a, nearly double Yabukita; summer yields ~50% higher than Yabukita.
- Buds 4 days earlier than Yabukita; superior cold and frost-split resistance; minimal frost protection needed.
- High free amino acid profile delivers intense umami, bright liquor, fruity/chestnut notes; rated above Yabukita and Saem…
- Increasingly planted on commercial farms; viable across most Japanese tea regions despite climate warming and cold-damag…
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About this article
What they said
“Kirari 31 is an early-budding cultivar developed in Miyazaki Prefecture from a cross between Sakimidori and Saemidori.”
Kirari 31 is an early-budding cultivar developed in Miyazaki Prefecture from a cross between Sakimidori and Saemidori.
“It was developed to counter the increase in frost damage events while ensuring high-quality tea with a value-added proposition.”
It was developed to counter the increase in frost damage events while ensuring high-quality tea with a value-added proposition.
“Its yield is higher than both Yabukita and Saemidori, and the leaves retain their deep green colour for a longer period, between 21 and 27 days.”
Its yield is higher than both Yabukita and Saemidori, and the leaves retain their deep green colour for a longer period, between 21 and 27 days.
The numbers
Development period (crossing to registration): 19 years
Budding period vs. Yabukita: 4 days earlier
Harvest period vs. Yabukita: 3 days earlier
Spring yield (5–8 year bushes): 511–520 kg per 10a
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