Yumesuruga (ゆめするが) is a late budding cultivar that offers a high yield at harvest.
It’s named after Suruga province (駿河の国, suruga no kuni), which was an old province that is now the central part of Shizuoka prefecture.
History of Yumesuruga
At present day Shikuoka prefecture agriculture and forestry tea industry research center, Okuhikari was crossed with Yabukita in 1986.
The best seedling was selected, and it was tested in 1994 and 2002.
Yumesuruga was registered under the seed and seedling law in 2012.
Its use was encouraged for Shizuoka prefecture in 2014.
Characteristics of Yumesuruga
This cultivar can be picked 4 days later than Yabukita.
Mature leaves of Yumesuruga are elliptical, with a medium size.
They have a green color with medium luster.
Meanwhile, young leaves have a long and narrow shape.
They have a deep green color and medium luster.
Yumesuruga is slightly more resistant to the gray blight than Yabukita, although it has about the same resistance to other diseases and pests.
Its yield at harvest, however, is 1.5 times more than Yabukita.
As a sencha, this cultivar has leaves of a bright green color and good shape.
The aroma is fresh, with notes of cucumber.
Its taste is mellow, fresh, and low in astringency.
Yumesuruga has a relatively low catechin content compared to Yabukita.
