Hokumei ほくめい
Summary
Hokumei is a late-growing tea cultivar developed in Saitama Prefecture from a 1965 crossing of Sayamamidori and Sai5507, registered in 1992 after 28 years of development and multi-prefecture trials. Bred specifically for Japan's northern tea-growing regions, it delivers exceptional cold and disease resistance, yields 63% higher than Yabukita in spring harvest, and produces aromatic leaves suitable for sencha, withered tea, semi-oxidized tea, and black tea. The cultivar repres…
Key points
- Hokumei yields 63% higher than Yabukita in spring; 59% higher in summer harvest.
- Exceptional cold resistance and multi-disease resilience (red blight, blue blight, anthracnose) enable cultivation in Ka…
- Aromatic profile with spice, yam, and edamame notes suits sencha, withered tea, semi-oxidized tea, and black tea product…
- Developed over 28 years (1965–1992) through rigorous cold-hardiness and regional-adaptability trials across five prefect…
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About this article
What they said
“Named to represent hope for widespread cultivation at the northern limits of Japanese tea production, Hokumei is highly regarded for its aromatic characteristics.”
Named to represent hope for widespread cultivation at the northern limits of Japanese tea production, Hokumei is highly regarded for its aromatic characteristics.
“Hokumei is a cultivar suitable for cultivation in cooler regions of Kanto and Higashiyama; in particular, mountainous sites can benefit from its resistance to cold climate and pests.”
Hokumei is a cultivar suitable for cultivation in cooler regions of Kanto and Higashiyama; in particular, mountainous sites can benefit from its resistance to cold climate and pests.
The numbers
Development period: 28 years
Initial crossing year: 1965
Registration year: 1992
Spring yield versus Yabukita: 63% higher
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