What is Shizuoka Zairai #16 cultivar? (静岡在来)
In Japan, you can find a wide variety of teas ready to get devoured. The taste of all these varieties is something that you haven’t tasted before. One of the best versions of organic Japanese tea is the Shizuoka Zairai #16 cultivar. In this article, we are going to unleash everything there is to know about the Shizuoka Zairai #16 cultivar and how the taste of this cultivar will leave you wanting more.
What is a cultivar?
First thing first. A lot of people may not know about the meaning of ‘cultivar,’ while some may be hearing this word for the first time in their lives. A cultivar literally means cultivated variety. When the farmers identify some of the main and astounding characteristics of a plant, they tend to preserve the plant’s DNA with the help of the propagation of new trees through cutting.
Cross-bred tea varieties started long before 1960 in Japan, and they have been a part of this country ever since. Over 200 cultivars are currently present within the premises of Japan, with Yabukita having the lead. But, recently, the Shizuoka Zairai #16 cultivar has also been one of the people’s favorites. The cultivation of this tea has increased from 2% to a total of 10%.
How is Shizuoka Zairai #16 cultivar named?
The word Zairai means native or something that comes from the indigenous regions. This cultivar is known as Shizuoka Zairai because it is grown in various regions of Shizuoka. The cultivation of this tea dates back to ancient times when farmers used a variety of seeds to grow Shizuoka Zairai. As far as the appearance and taste of this plant are concerned, both of them vary depending upon the region, even the farm. However, most of them have similar tastes.
Characteristics of Shizuoka Zairai #16 cultivar
Most of the Shizuoka Zairai plants are hundreds of years old unless you talk about an old Zairai tea field. In the case of a tea field, the plants of the tea get trimmed regularly, and, now, they have grown into fully-nourished tea trees.
Compared to the Yabukita cultivar, only about half of these tea trees are productive and provide us with something valuable. But, on the other hand, these trees are quite pest-resistant, and their roots can be found quite deep in the soil. The leaves of these trees contain highly nutritional and mineral content. However, the most important characteristic of this cultivar is that the tea extracted from it is quite rare.
One of the main characteristics of the Shizuoka Zairai is their appearance, aroma, color, and taste are different from one another. It mostly depends upon the cross-bred tea varieties used by the farmers. But, in the overall sense, whatever the blend is, Shizuoka Zarai is always considered to be a natural blend, containing zero additives and condiments.
Shizuoka Zairai #16 cultivar further contains a lot of varieties, each of which has its own price and characteristics. Some may be more expensive than others. Again, it all depends on what kind of blend the farmer is using to cultivate Shizuoka Zairai. Other characteristics of the Shizuoka Zairai #16 cultivar include the presence of essential amino acids and antioxidants that help strengthen the immune system of people. It is also found that this cultivar provides symmetry.
What does the Shizuoka Zairai #16 cultivar taste like?
One thing is for sure if you want to experience what the taste of tea in old Japan was, you have to try a cup of Shizuoka Zairai tea. A large number of Japanese people still consider it as an indispensable historic asset, one that lasts forever. They believe that even if Shizuoka Zairai stops being cultivated, its taste will be preserved forever.
Now, talking about the taste of this cultivar, it has an umami taste which means it is quite savory to the human palate. It’s like a burst of exotic flavors in your mouth that quench all your thirst and hunger for the richest flavored tea. It also has mild caffeine in it. So, if you want a mild boost of energy in the morning, just to get you started, this is your tea.
However, keeping its aroma in view, have you ever roamed around a garden where the fresh grass is being cut? This is exactly what this cultivar smells like. Whenever you make a cup of Zairai tea, it will feel like you’re sitting in a freshly trimmed garden, surrounded by the earthy wonders and just ravishing everything within your sight.
Final Takeaways
Suffice it to say that the Shizuoka Zairai #16 cultivar is one of a kind. Its taste takes you back to the old Japan while its aroma fills your nostrils with earthy beauty. Shizuoka Zairai is a cultivar that dates back hundreds of years, and still, its flavor is preserved.
Thus, if you to experience something similar, get the Shizuoka Zairai #16 cultivar and make yourself a steaming hot cup of tea. You will forget all the worldly worries.
Shizuoka Zairai #16 — Frequently Asked Questions
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About the author
Kei Nishida
Author, CEO Dream of Japan
Certification: PMP, BS in Computer Science
Education: Western Washington University