About Saemidori - Kagoshima Saemidori

The Green Thoroughbred: An Introduction to Saemidori

Before we introduce Saemidori, please allow us to share a little about the landscape of Japanese green tea. While there are many tea varieties cultivated in Japan today, the vast majority of the cultivation area is dominated by a single variety called 'Yabukita'. The reality is that many tea-producing regions rely heavily on this one cultivar.

The Birth of a ‘Green Thoroughbred’

It is against this backdrop that 'Saemidori' was born as an elite variety, a true "thoroughbred" of the Japanese tea world. Its parents are two of Japan's most celebrated cultivars. One is the "king," 'Yabukita,' known for its balanced flavor and resilience. The other is the "queen," 'Asatsuyu,' which is praised for its remarkable sweetness and vibrant green color, earning it the nickname "Natural Gyokuro."

In 1969, at a national research institute in Kagoshima, these two varieties were crossbred with a clear purpose: to combine the best traits of each. After more than two decades of careful selection, 'Saemidori' was finally born. Its name, meaning "vivid green," comes from the breathtakingly bright green color of the tea when brewed.

The Science Behind its Superior Flavor

The appeal of 'Saemidori' goes beyond its beautiful appearance. Its delicious flavor is backed by science.

  • Rich Umami and Sweetness It contains a particularly high amount of amino acids like "Theanine" and "Arginine," which are responsible for the tea's savory umami flavor. This creates a rich, mellow, and expansive taste.

  • A Clean, Smooth Finish At the same time, it has a lower content of the catechins (specifically gallate-type catechins) that cause the unique "astringency" of green tea.  This results in a clean finish with no harsh bitterness.

  • Functional Benefits Recent studies have found that Saemidori contains about 2.5 times more "quercetin glycosides" than 'Yabukita'. This is a type of polyphenol known for its health benefits.

In short, 'Saemidori' is a near-perfect tea, rich in flavor and sweetness, low in astringency, and full of beneficial compounds.

A Perfect Match: Why Kagoshima's Saemidori is Special

While the cultivation of 'Saemidori' has begun to spread across Japan, there is a clear reason we are so particular about offering it from Kagoshima.

First, 'Saemidori' was originally bred in Kagoshima. In a sense, it is an elite cultivar that has returned to its "hometown"—a place its genetics are perfectly suited for. The brilliant Kagoshima sun nurtures a powerful umami and richness in the tea leaves. Furthermore, as we mentioned in our story, the deep mist generated by the rivers acts as a natural veil, shielding the leaves from excessive sun, suppressing astringency, and allowing umami to develop slowly and deeply. 

The unique terroir of Kagoshima maximizes the potential of the 'Saemidori' variety, creating a vivid green color and a deep, clear flavor that cannot be found anywhere else.